Decommissioning of Russian-type water-cooled water-moderated nuclear reactors (WWERs)

Abstract: The basic issues arising in the planning and implementation of decommissioning of Russian-type water-cooled water-moderated nuclear reactors (WWERs) are summarised. In particular, specific construction and operation features that have a significant impact on decommissioning are discussed. Other aspects, including decommissioning technologies, especially those for the dismantling of highly activated reactor components and for smooth waste and material management are addressed. The ‘in-promptu’ Greifswald decommissioning project in Germany is used as a basic reference for other WWERs, and a discussion is held of how (even under such extraordinary circumstances) the planning and management of WWER decommissioning was successfully implemented. A summary of the challenges and lessons learned from more than 20 years’ decommissioning of five WWER 440 units at the Greifswald site is provided.