Towards decommissioning of Tokai Reprocessing Plant

Yamamoto, Tokuhiro 

This is a prefatory note for Journal of the RANDEC (No.55, 2017). In September 2014, it was announced that the Tokai Reprocessing Plant would be toward decommissioning. Some unique features exist on decommissioning in case of reprocessing plant; for example, all of inner surface of equipment are contaminated, their contamination levels are difficult to estimate and their contaminations are eventually associated with - and/or nuclides. There are also some challenges arising primarily from long-term projects beyond generations. In the meantime, prioritized works will be carried out such as preparing decommissioning plans and acquiring permission, steady treatment of radioactive waste generated during reprocessing operation and decontamination of facilities. However, in the long term, it will be very important to utilize this historical opportunity of actual reprocessing plant decommissioning, so as to establish decommission technology of the nuclear fuel cycle facilities and to improve reprocessing technology through accumulation of technical data based on destructive analysis. Many people's collaboration and participation will be sincerely welcomed.