Uranium Enrichment and Fuel Fabrication - Decommissioning Issues (Europe)
(last updated 11 Nov 2008)
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UK Nuclear Decommmissioning Authority seeks advice on plutonium disposition
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) are seeking expressions of interest from Parties who are suitably qualified and experienced in providing Plutonium (Pu) Disposition Advice.
Closing Date: 28 April 2008
> View NDA release Apr. 1, 2008 
UK's separated plutonium stockpile poses severe risks warns Royal Society
The potential consequences of a major security breach or accident involving the UK's stockpile of separated plutonium are so severe that the Government should urgently develop and implement a strategy for its long term use or disposal warns a report published by the Royal Society the UK national academy of science on 21 September 2007.
According to Strategy options for the UK's separated plutonium the UK's civil stockpile of separated plutonium is now over 100 tonnes and has almost doubled in the last 10 years. The UK's stockpile is largely the by-product of commercial reprocessing of spent fuel from UK power plants.
> View Royal Society release Sep. 21, 2007
> Download Strategy options for the UK's separated plutonium, Policy document 24/07, September 2007 (The Royal Society)
Study analyses economics of management options for UK uranium and plutonium stockpile
The UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority released a study analysing the economics of various management options for the UK uranium and plutonium stockpile.
The stockpile comprises:
- 25,000 t U in depleted UF6 tails from enrichment of natural uranium
- 30,000 t U in depleted uranium powder from reprocessing of spent fuel from Magnox reactors
- 5,000 t U in uranium powder from reprocessing of spent fuel from AGR reactors
- 100 t Pu in PuO2 powder from reprocessing of spent fuel from Magnox and AGR reactors
The management options analysed were disposal as waste, 300-year storage with subsequent disposal as waste, and use for production of nuclear fuel. In the latter case, the plutonium could be processed into 1,500 t HM of PWR fuel, and the uranium could be processed into 500 - 2,500 t U of PWR fuel, depending on the future price of uranium. The total would be sufficient to supply 1.5 to 3 reactors of 1000 MWe capacity over a 60 year lifetime. The cost for these options were determined as follows:
- Disposal:
GBP 2 - 3 billion (undiscounted), or GBP 1 billion (discounted)
- Storage + Disposal:
GBP 3.5 - 7 billion (undiscounted), or GBP 0.3 billion (discounted)
- Use:
GBP 3.5 billion benefit to GBP 2.5 billion cost (undiscounted), or GBP 2 billion benefit to GBP 1 billion cost (undiscounted), depending on uranium price.
The study concludes:
- Disposal: is low risk and, if the uranium price is low, it is either the lowest
undiscounted cost option or close to it;
- Storage + Disposal: keeps options open and delays costs for significant periods (significantly reducing the present value of costs when discounted);
- Use: may release significant value from the materials (particularly if the uranium price is high) but is subject to significant downside risks.
> Download: Uranium and Plutonium: Macro-economic Study, Final Report , UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, June 2007 (396k PDF)
> See also: BNFL's depleted uranium storage facility at former Capenhurst gaseous diffusion plant (UK)
> See also: Urenco Capenhurst enrichment plant (United Kingdom)
BNG Capenhurst site nears end of its clean-up
Capenhurst's nuclear clean-up team has reached a key milestone as it completed the UK nuclear industry's biggest demolition project.
The site in south Wirral housed the UK's first uranium enrichment plant and is nearing the completion of its decommissioning programme.
It is scheduled to become the first UK nuclear site to complete its clean-up programme in 2009.
The decommissioning site is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and managed and operated by clean-up contractor Sellafield Ltd.
The enrichment plant, which ceased operations in 1982, has been demolished clearing 32,000 m2 - equivalent to four football pitches - of valuable space for potential re-use.
In addition, 94% of the clean materials from the building have been recycled.
(The Liverpool Daily Post Feb. 25, 2008)
UK Environment Agency invites comment on review of radioactive waste authorisations for BNGSL Capenhurst site
The UK Environment Agency is reviewing the radioactive waste authorisations held by British Nuclear Group Sellafield Limited for part of the nuclear site at Capenhurst, near Chester and invites comments.
Responses are due by 7 February 2007.
> View Environment Agency release Dec. 2006
Belgonucléaire SA Dessel MOX fuel plant to close
The Belgonucléaire SA Dessel MOX fuel plant will cease production after July 31, 2006. By the end of October 2006, the plant should be empty and ready for dismantling. Decommissioning is expected to be completed by 2012 or 2013.
On Nov. 21, 2005, Belgonucléaire SA announced to close its Dessel MOX fuel plant in 2006. (La Libre Belgique, Nov. 22, 2005)
Information about French nuclear fuel cycle plants (Nuclear Safety Authority - ASN, in French)
Elevated uranium concentration found in groundwater at former COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Veurey-Voroize
In a report released Sep. 24, 2008, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN) discloses that uranium concentrations up to 430 micrograms per litre were found in groundwater on site at the former COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel fabrication plant at Veurey-Voroize. During the monitoring period of three years, average levels decreased by a factor of more than three. A contaminant plume of uranium extends also beyond the site boundaries.
> Download Etat de la surveillance environnementale et bilan du marquage des nappes phréatiques et des cours d’eau autour des sites nucléaires et des entreposages anciens de déchets radioactifs, 15 septembre 2008 (3.1MB PDF - in French)
Decommissioning license issued for COGEMA/SICN nuclear fuel plant
On Feb. 15, 2006, decommssioning licenses were issued to Société industrielle de combustible nucléaire (SICN) for INB No. 65 (nuclear fuel fabrication) and INB No. 90 (fuel pellets fabrication) at Veurey-Voroize (Isère).
> View ASN release March 20, 2006 (in French)
Journal Officiel (JO) of Feb. 22, 2006:
> View older issues
INB No. 131
License terminated for FBFC Pierrelatte nuclear fuel plant
On May 15, 2003, the license for the FBFC Pierrelatte nuclear fuel plant was terminated. The plant had been in operation from 1983 - 1998 and has since been decommissioned.
(ASN May 16, 2003)
Incidents at FBFC Pierrelatte nuclear fuel fabrication plant
FBFC Pierrelatte events (ASN - in French)
Dismantling of Le Bouchet uranium processing facility starts
The old uranium processing facility of Le Bouchet (Essonne) near Paris, France, will be decommissioned within 18 months starting Nov. 5, 2001. Between 1949 and 1971, the plant produced more than 4000 tonnes of uranium metal (in particular for research reactors and graphite-moderated gas-cooled reactors). A first decontamination took place in 1971.
(Le Parisien, Oct. 29, 2001; Davis 1997)
Aerial view: Google Maps 
Mysterious particles found in soil near the Hanau nuclear fuel plants
Spherical radioactive particles have been found in soil samples from the surroundings of the Hanau nuclear fuel plants, according to the TV program "Report Mainz". The particles with a diameter of approx. 1 mm were found at a depth of 15 cm and are reported to contain plutonium, enriched uranium, curium, and americium, among others. It is speculated that the particles stem from the production of fuel for the former high-temperature reactor of the Jülich nuclear research center. (AP May 5, 2002)
After the program was aired, "Report Mainz" admitted that the statements about the composition of the particles only referred to similar ones found near the GKSS nuclear research center in Geesthacht in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. The Hanau particles only looked similar to those from Geesthacht under the electron microscope.
(Main Echo May 10, 2002)
Meanwhile it seems more likely that the particles are ordinary slag from coal-fired power plants or blast furnaces. Such slag often was used in the 1970s and 1980s to stabilize the subsoil in development areas. (Frankfurter Rundschau May 16, 2002)
According to an analysis done by the Marburg university, the particles do not contain nuclear fuel and are not more radioactive than normal soil. (Main Echo May 17, 2002)
On June 26, 2002, the Hanau public prosecutor's office suspended proceedings in this case. The radiation in the samples were at or below natural background levels and presented no hazard to the public. (Netzeitung June 26, 2002)
On Sep. 13, 2002, the Hesse State Ministry of Environment released an investigation report completely dismissing all claims made related to the particles. However, in 5 out of 34 soil samples, a slight enrichment (1.3 - 1.7%) of uranium-235 was found. Though the report has no explanation for this finding, it is of no radiological significance, since the average uranium-238 concentrations are less than 20 Bq/kg. This corresponds to a uranium concentration in soil of 1.6 ppm - a value typical for Germany and less than the average 3 ppm found in the earth's crust.
Bericht des Ministeriums für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Forsten zu den behaupteten Funden radioaktiver Stoffe (Kernbrennstoffkügelchen) in der Umgebung der Hanauer Nuklearbetriebe vom 04. September 2002 (135k PDF, in German)
Decommissioning of Nukem Hanau nuclear fuel plant approved
On Oct. 25, 2000, the Hesse State Government approved the decommissioning of the Nukem nuclear fuel production plant at Hanau. The plant is shut down since 1988. 28,000 tonnes of slightly contaminated rubble and soil are to be disposed of in the former underground rocksalt mine of Kochendorf near Heilbronn (Baden-Württemberg). 7000 casks of radioactive waste (containing 350 kg of residual uranium) are to be brought to a Nuclear Cargo und Service (NCS) storage site in Hanau for intermediate storage. (Frankfurter Rundschau Oct. 26, 2000)
The Hesse State Ministry of Environment has approved the transport of 7500 tonnes of low level radioactive waste from the decommissioning of the Hanau fuel plant for disposal in the Kochendorf rocksalt mine. The total activity of the material is limited to 21 GBq (corresponding to 2.8 Bq/g). (Main Echo May 17, 2001)
Hanau residual plutonium to be processed by COGEMA into MOX fuel
The unused plutonium-containing nuclear fuel still stored in Hanau will be processed in to MOX fuel for use in German nuclear power plants.
The plutonium storage bunker at Hanau still contains the unused nuclear fuel manufactured for the abandoned fast breeder reactors at the Karlsruhe nuclear research center and at Kalkar. The material contains up to 35% plutonium.
It is now planned to ship the material to France for processing into MOX fuel at La Hague and Marcoule. The MOX fuel produced will then be used in German nuclear power plants owned by RWE Power AG.
This procedure will cost approx. Euro 235 million and will allow for the final decommissioning of the former Hanau MOX fuel plant, where the material is being stored so far.
> View BMU release June 16, 2004 (in German)
> Download BMU background information (in German)
> View BfS release June 16, 2004 (in German)
State approves intermediate storage of Hanau MOX fuel plant decommissioning waste
On June 11, 2002, the Hesse State Minister of Environment approved the construction of an intermediate storage hall for nuclear waste from decommissioning of the Siemens nuclear fuel plant. The hall is licensed for the storage of up to 1200 casks, containing a total of up to 9000 cubic meters of waste. The waste material, mainly contaminated soil and rubble from demolished buildings, may contain a total of up to 95 kgs of plutonium and 9000 kgs of uranium. In the future, the material shall be transfered to the planned Schacht Konrad low-level radioactive waste deposit. (Main Echo June 12, 2002)
> View Hesse Env. Ministry release June 11, 2002 (in German)
Contaminated waste from old Hanau MOX plant transfered to Sweden for uranium recovery and disposal
> See here
Decommissioning of old Siemens Hanau MOX fuel plant approved
On May 30, 2001, the Hesse State Ministry of Environment (HMULF) issued a first part approval for the decommissioning of the old Siemens MOX fuel production plant at Hanau. Siemens now can start the dismantling of the plutonium-contaminated equipment. The resulting radioactive waste will be cemented in barrels. The barrels will be cemented in casks and provisionally stored in a storage building to be built on site by Nuclear Cargo Service (NCS).
The plant used to produce mixed oxide fuel elements from plutonium and uranium. The plant was closed in 1995. Since 1998, the plant operated in a clear out mode, producing more than 6000 storage rods from 642 kgs of plutonium and 13 tonnes of uranium. These rods are scheduled for reprocessing in France.
The complete dismantling of the plant is expected to last until 2005.
> View HMULF press release (May 30, 2001) (in German)
Never operated new Siemens MOX fuel plant in Hanau to become server farm
The building of the never operated new Siemens MOX fuel plant in Hanau has been taken over by internet service provider 1&1. The company plans to install up to 100,000 dedicated servers in the building. (AP Nov. 11, 2008)
Unused Hanau MOX fuel plant equipment to be sold to China?
On December 2, 2003, German Chancellor Schröder made public a request by China to purchase the equipment of Siemens' never operated Hanau MOX fuel plant. Siemens had filed a preliminary request for an export license in February 2003 already. The equipment has already been dismantled and packed in sea containers. It is, however, not clear for what purpose the equipment will be used, since China has no civilian plutonium stocks (as required for MOX fuel production). Therefore, fears are arising that the equipment (or at least components thereof) might be intended for use in China's military nuclear programme - precluding the issuance of an export license.
On April 27, 2004, the speaker of China's state department said that the talks on a purchase of the Hanau plant equipment have been discontinued. (dpa Apr. 27, 2004)
> See also:
> See also Lanzhou MOX fuel plant project (Gansu Province, China)
Dismantling of new Hanau MOX fuel plant has begun
The dismantling of Siemens' never operated Hanau MOX fuel plant has begun. A minor fraction of the equipment will be relocated to Japan, but the majority will be scrapped.
(Frankfurter Rundschau Apr. 6, 2002)
Dismantling of new Hanau MOX fuel plant to start in February 2002
On Feb. 2, 2002, Siemens announced that the dismantling of the never operated Hanau MOX fuel plant will start later the same month. (dpa-afx Feb 3, 2002)
No export of new Hanau MOX fuel plant to Russia
Siemens is no longer offering the new but never operated Hanau MOX fuel plant for export to Russia. Financial commitments made to the company (from the US and France) were only DM 500 million (US$ 234 million), while the export cost is estimated at DM 2 billion (US$ 935 million). Siemens is now trying to sell the plant in parts, otherwise it will be scrapped. The original cost of the plant was DM 1.2 billion (US$ 561 million). It was completed in 1991.
(Frankfurter Rundschau, Süddeutsche Zeitung Aug. 18, 2001)
German government not pleased about possible export of new Hanau MOX fuel plant to Russia
The German government sees only little chance to prevent the proposed export of the never operated new Siemens MOX fuel plant at Hanau to Russia. In Russia, the plant would be used to produce MOX fuel from excess weapons' plutonium. But, with the capacity of the plant being higher than Russia's needs, the German government fears a further push for nuclear, while it has just made a decision for a nuclear phase-out in Germany (Frankfurter Rundschau Aug. 28, 2000)
Complete site of former Siemens nuclear fuel production plant in Hanau released for general use; groundwater restoration continuing
On May 3, 2006, the Hesse State Ministry of Environment released the complete site of the former RBU nuclear fuel plant for general use. The buildings remaining on site can be used without restrictions. The site reclamation goal for groundwater has not been attained yet, however. Further treatment of groundwater is therefore required.
(HMULV May 3, 2006)
First section of decommissioned former RBU Hanau nuclear fuel plant site released for general use
A first 1000 m2 tract of the 32,000 m2 former RBU nuclear fuel plant in Hanau was released for general use. After demolition of the buildings and replacement of the soil, the tract now is suitable for industrial development and housing. The decommissioning of the whole RBU plant shall be completed by mid-2004.
(Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Aug. 5, 2003)
On November 20, 2001, a 50-kilogram bomb was defused at the premises of the former Siemens nuclear fuel plant in Hanau. The bomb had been dropped by the US Air Force in World-War-II. It had not been detected during surveys performed before the construction of the plant. It was found only now during the decommissioning of the plant. (Frankfurter Rundschau Nov. 21, 2001)
A former worker at the Hanau nuclear fuel plant sues Siemens AG for payment of a compensation of DM 3 million (US$ 1.4 million) for having contracted a lung fibrosis during work. Michael Weber used to work in 1971 as a contract worker at the Reaktor-Brennelemente-Gesellschaft (RBG) nuclear fuel production plant in Hanau, Germany. Siemens AG is the legal successor of the owner of the meanwhile closed plant. During an accident, Weber was completely covered with UO2 dust and he inhaled the dust. In 1981, he developed a lung fibrosis, decreasing his lung function by 85% and leaving him permanently disabled since. An expert of nuclear medicine had confirmed that the disease is caused from radiation, and the employers' liability insurance had acknowledged the lung fibrosis as work-related. Siemens dismisses all claims. (Frankfurter Rundschau May 23, 2000)
On May 24, 2000, Weber rejected a proposal for a settlement, made by the judge and accepted by Siemens: Siemens would have paid Weber's proceedings cost of DM 60,000 (US$ 28,000), but would not have acknowledged any liability. In the opinion of the judge, it is very likely that Weber's claims come under the statute of limitations. (Frankfurter Rundschau May 25, 2000)
On July 26, 2000, the Nüremberg Superior Court (Landgericht) dismissed the suit for formal reasons.
On September 4, 2000, Weber lodged an appeal to the Nüremberg Court of Appeal (Oberlandesgericht).
On March 8, 2001, Weber accepted the above settlement, since he was not in the financial position to continue the appeals court case.
Michael Weber died on September 17, 2003.
> See also Michael Weber's homepage [in German]
