Abstract

The AVR experimental reactor was a helium-cooled, graphite-moderated, high-temperature reactor with ball-shaped fuel elements (“pebble-bed reactor”). After 21 years of operation, the plant was finally shut down on 31.12.1988. In 1994, AVR GmbH was granted the licence for decommissioning, the removal of ball-shaped fuel elements, the dismantling of plant components no longer needed, and the performance of measures to initiate the state of Safe Enclosure including the backfilling of the reactor vessel with pore lightweight concrete.

BMU requested SSK to discuss and evaluate the draft of the licence notification no. 7/16 AVR for the entire dismantling of the shut-down AVR experimental reactor in Jülich which is in the state of Safe Enclosure. Central subject of this draft licence are the measures associated with the lifting and putting down of the reactor vessel in the material lock, the transport of the reactor vessel to the reactor vessel interim storage facility, and the dismantling measures following the lifting of the reactor vessel. The objective is the entire removal of the plant up to the site’s radiological release.

In its discussions, SSK especially examined whether operational radiation protection complies with the requirements set out in the Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV), whether the possible radiological effects in normal operation and in case of incidents comply with the requirements set out in the provisions of §§ 46, 57, and 50 StrlSchV, and whether the measures taken on emission and immission monitoring comply with the requirements of the Directive on Emission and Immission Monitoring of Nuclear Facilities. Release had already been licensed in a previous licensing procedure and was not subject of the application. As final provisions relating to the release of the premises are to be developed on the basis of experiences gained within the scope of the activities applied for, the current provisions relating to release were evaluated.

As a result of its expertise, SSK altogether considers the radiation protection measures set out in the draft licence notification no. 7/16 AVR positive. They correspond to the state of the art of science and technology and comply with the legal radiation protection requirements. Supplementing notes by SSK on the draft licence notification are included in more detail in the SSK statement.

The Commission on Radiological Protection adopted the statement “Jülich Experimental Nuclear Power Plant (AVR) – Licence 7/16 AVR for the Entire Dismantling According to § 7 Para. 3 Atomic Energy Act” on the 231st SSK meeting on 09/10 December 2008.