The free release of dismantled materials: The practical case of the BR3 reactor

The dismantling of a nuclear power reactor produces a large quantity and variety of obsolete materials. Besides the activated materials which must be evacuated as radioactive waste, a large quantity of materials can either be recycled in the nuclear sector or free released as non-radioactive materials. Dismantling is a complex task so that to achieve our main goal of minimisation of radioactive waste production, it requires the set-up of procedures and free release criteria, a strict follow-up and a traceability at all steps. The free release of obsolete materials can be achieved by several processes such as, melting in a nuclear foundry, or by various physical and chemical decontamination processes. The final key point is the measurement of a very low level radioactivity for large items or for a high throughput.