Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR) Decommissioning
Dounreay, Caithness, Scotland, UK · Operations 1959-1977, Decommissioning ongoing (Stage 1 by 2016) · Part of overall Dounreay site decommissioning budget
The judgement call
Account action unavailableDFR was a pioneering fast reactor, and its decommissioning presents unique challenges due to its design and operational history. - Significant progress has been made in removing fuel and NaK coolant, demonstrating successful management of complex hazards. - The project highlights the specialized engineering required for decommissioning experimental reactor types.
Key engineering challenges
Decommissioning an experimental fast reactor, including the removal of highly reactive NaK (sodium-potassium) coolant. - Retrieving and safely storing unique and highly radioactive fuel elements. - Dismantling complex reactor internals in a hazardous environment. - Managing the long-term legacy of a pioneering nuclear research facility.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL)
- Lead contractor
- Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL)
- Lead designers
- —
- Project type
- decommissioning
- Scale
- Experimental fast breeder reactor, removal of NaK coolant, fuel elements
- Disciplines
- nuclear; mechanical; chemical; civil; waste management; remote handling
- Standards & frameworks
- ONR
Sources: Wikipedia: Dounreay (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dounreay) - World Nuclear News: Halfway point reached in Dounreay reactor fuel removal (https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Half-way-point-reached-in-Dounreay-reactor-fuel-re) - ONR: Dounreay (https://www.onr.org.uk/our-work/what-we-regulate/sellafield-decommissioning-fuel-and-waste/sites/dounreay) - INIS-IAEA: Dounreay Decommissioning (https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/37/115/37115737.pdf) - World Nuclear Association: Dounreay DFR (https://world-nuclear.org/nuclear-reactor-database/details/Dounreay-DFR)