High Flux Beam Reactor Interim Stabilization and Cleanup Actions
Since the High Flux Beam Reactor (HFBR) was shut down in 1997 and permanently closed in 1999,
many actions have been taken to prepare the HFBR for permanent
decontamination and dismantling. The actions undertaken throughout the HFBR complex ensure that it
remains in a safe and stable condition and prepared it for long-term
surveillance and maintenance and decommissioning.
Cleanup Actions
The actions undertaken to stabilize and secure the HFBR included
removing contaminated structures, hazardous materials, and radioactively
contaminated equipment and components to deactivate and stabilize the
facility in preparation for decommissioning and dismantling. The
actions taken included:
- All spent fuel was shipped to an off-site facility (1998).
- The cooling tower superstructure was dismantled and disposed of as
waste (1999).
- More than 10,900 gallons of tritiated heavy water, the primary
coolant for the reactor, was removed (2001).
- Shielding blocks and chemicals were removed and are being reused at
the Laboratory and at other facilities (2000 - 20005).
- Scientific equipment was removed and is being reused or has been
sent to an off-site disposal facility (2003).
- The confinement structure and spent fuel pool were modified to meet
the requirements of Article 12 of the Suffolk County Sanitary Code.
Article 12 regulates toxic and hazardous materials storage and handling.
(2004)
- The Cold Neutron Facility was decontaminated and cleaned for reuse
(2006).
- The cooling tower basin, the guard house, the pump/switchgear house,
the water treatment house, and the stack monitoring facility were dismantled and removed (2006).
In addition to the actions described above, many planning studies
including a preliminary assessment, site investigations, metalurgical analysis, risk
assessments, and a characterization of the HFBR facility have been conducted to
prepare for final decontamination and decommissioning.
|
|
|
Installation of spent fuel pool canal
liner. |
|
Removal of contaminated lead. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shipping of heavy water offsite. |
|
Demolition of the cooling water hold-up
tank. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Demolition of the cooling towers. |
|
Inside the HFBR: experimental floor
cleared of equipment. |
Last Modified: February 1, 2008 Please forward all questions about this site to:
Kathy Schoenig
|