Evaluating clearance in the context of effluent release practices

摘要

Within the next few decades, several million tons of scrap materials (such as211u001emetals or concrete) are expected to be removed from nuclear facilities across the 211u001eworld as a result of decontamination and decommissioning activities. Although 211u001emuch of the materials are expected to be free of radioactive contents, some will 211u001econtain above-background concentrations of residual radioactive material. In many 211u001ecases, materials containing or potentially containing above-background residual 211u001eradioactive material have been disposed through burial at licensed facilities. 211u001eHowever, some of the materials may be in the form of expensive equipment or 211u001edevices that are still useful, and the incentive to recover them is high. Others 211u001emay be expensive raw materials such as nickel, copper, or high-quality stainless 211u001esteel that can easily be recovered by recycling. Yet another category, which 211u001eincludes carbon steel or concrete, is bulky and requires considerable space for 211u001eburial. Although the value of these latter materials may not be significant, 211u001edisposition options such as recycling present an attractive option for 211u001ealleviating the limited burial capacity and the ever-increasing disposal costs at 211u001elicensed burial facilities.