Recommendations for the selection of in situ measurement techniques for radiological characterization in nuclear/radiological installations under decommissioning and dismantling processes

Abstract

[EN] In this paper, in-situ radiological characterisation by means of non-destructive techniques is studied and analysed in the context of the different constrained environments (identified as radioactivity, materials, accessibility and other hazards) that may be encountered in the nuclear facilities undergoing decommissioning and dismantling. As a complement to a previous paper (Aspe et al., 2020), the present one gives a global guidance to assist with the decision making process regarding the selection of in-situ measurement techniques that could be applied in such constrained environments.

In addition, from the definition of the investigation objectives, and for each one of the most common in-situ measurement techniques, a brief description is given about the impact of the above constraints and how to integrate them onto the system definition, including the experimental design, the mechanical integration and the data management, to properly define the best radiological characterization methodology.

Moreover, complementing this general view, all the phases – from initial to final – of a D&D programme were taken into account to provide basic recommendations, together with some particular dispositions, for the appropriate implementation of the chosen instruments.

Strengths and weaknesses of the common detectors used for the different in-situ measurement techniques, as well as their recommended applications in nuclear facilities are also outlined.