The Dismantling

Abstract

Dismantling a fast reactor presents specificities related to the presence of sodium and to the necessity to eliminate it, before being able to undertake the usual dismantling procedures. They are the specificities discussed in this chapter. A substantial and shared international experience does exist on the methodologies that can be applied for sodium fast reactor dismantling operations. Superphenix, taking over some of this methodology processes, got in 2006 the decree authorizing its definitive shutdown and dismantling, which allowed it to start these operations and to have completed by 2015 the entire sodium destruction. This experience validates a methodology but shows that there are some remaining points needing further developments (control rods, …). Moreover, this experience enables to propose recommendations in terms of future reactor design, aiming at make their dismantling easier.