This publication reports on the DACCORD project, which supports Member States in preparing preliminary cost estimates for the decommissioning of research reactors. The report is of particular benefit to programmes with limited decommissioning experience. Costing projects for the decommissioning of research reactors can be broad in scope with many possible inputs and influences that require due consideration in developing the estimate. The publication provides information on unit factors for research reactor decommissioning and a basis for estimating uncertainties and contingencies and for assessing the impact of decommissioning planning and characterization activities. It also addresses the use of the CERREX-D2 (Cost Estimate for Research Reactors in Excel) software code, developed by the IAEA to enable non-specialist users to develop preliminary cost estimates for decommissioning.

• 1. INTRODUCTION
  • 1.1. Background
  • 1.2. Objective
  • 1.3. Scope
  • 1.4. Structure
• 2. COST ESTIMATION FOR DECOMMISSIONING
  • 2.1. Basics of estimating the cost of decommissioning
    • 2.1.1. Quality
    • 2.1.2. Methodologies
  • 2.2. Use of CERREX-D2 for decommissioning cost estimation
    • 2.2.1. Cost assessment methodology using CERREX-D2
    • 2.2.2. Definition and selection of decommissioning options
    • 2.2.3. Development of an inventory database
    • 2.2.4. Selection of a database of unit factors
    • 2.2.5. Definition of input data for period dependent activities, collateral cost and for contingency
  • 2.3. Cost estimate assumptions and boundary conditions
    • 2.3.1. Decommissioning strategy
    • 2.3.2. Selected end state
    • 2.3.3. Level of knowledge of the facility
  • 2.4. Inventory
    • 2.4.1. Approach to inventory development
  • 2.5. Unit factors
• 3. CERREX-D2 COSTING CASES
• 4. ANALYSIS OF COSTING CASES
  • 4.1. Analysis of results at level 0
  • 4.2. Analysis by ISDC level 1 activities
  • 4.3. Comparison with nuclear power plant decommissioning costs
  • 4.4. Observations
• 5. UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS
  • 5.1. Probabilistic analysis of input parameters
    • 5.1.1. One factor at a time (OFAT) analysis
    • 5.1.2. Methodology for probabilistic uncertainty and sensitivity analysis
    • 5.1.3. Analysis of results
  • 5.2. Estimating in scope uncertainty
    • 5.2.1. Description of different methods of contingency estimation in the CERREX code
    • 5.2.2. Contingency ranges for the reactors studied
    • 5.2.3. Analysis of outcomes for the JSI TRIGA Mark II
  • 5.3. Estimating out of scope uncertainty
    • 5.3.1. Background
    • 5.3.2. Methodology
    • 5.3.3. Methodology applied to the JSI TRIGA Mark II reactor
  • 5.4. Conclusions
• 6. IMPACTS OF PLANNING AND CHARACTERIZATION ON DECOMMISSIONING
  • 6.1. Observations from planning and characterization
  • 6.2. Proposed methodology
  • 6.3. Analysed results
    • 6.3.1. General information on research reactors
    • 6.3.2. Decommissioning strategy
    • 6.3.3. Inventory
    • 6.3.4. Correlation between characterization and decommissioning costs
    • 6.3.5. Radiological characterization techniques and procedures
  • 6.4. Conclusions
• 7. OVERALL CONCLUSIONS
  • 7.1. Costs of decommissioning research reactors
  • 7.2. Uncertainty analysis
  • 7.3. Impact of planning and characterization on decommissioning
• Appendix I UNIT FACTORS FOR RESEARCH REACTOR DECOMMISSIONING
• Appendix II USER DEFINED UNIT FACTORS FROM BANDUNG TRIGA 2000 RESEARCH REACTOR CASE
• Appendix III ILLUSTRATIVE RISK REGISTER FOR THE SLOVENIAN TRIGA MARK II
• Appendix IV EXAMPLES OF IMPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENT PLANNING AND CHARACTERIZATION STRATEGIES ON COSTS
• Appendix V QUESTIONNAIRE FROM DACCORD PROJECT PHASE 2 — RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION
• Appendix VI SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FORM
• Appendix VII TRIGA INVENTORY AND WASTE PARTITIONING
• REFERENCES
• ANNEXES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW