D08T Form No.

9A-1

TERMINAL REPORT

Project Summary

Title:

Hazards Characterization for Decommissioning of the PRR-1

Leader:

Mr. Leonardo S. Leopando

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Commonwealth Avenue, Diliman

Quezon City 1101, Metro Manila

Tel: +(63-2)-929-6011 to 6019, Local 231

Fax: +(63-2)-920-1646

Email: lsleopando@gmail.com.lsleopando@pnri.dost.gov.ph

Implementing Agency:

Philippine Nuclear Research Institute

Cooperating Agency:

International Atomic Energy Agency

Funding Agencies:

DOST (GIA) and IAEA (Technical Assistance)

Site of Implementation:

PNRI, Quezon City, Metro Manila, NCR

Start Date:

1 December 2007 (DOST-GIA)

26 June 2006 (IAEA R2D2P First Workshop)

Completion Date:

30 November 2010 (DOST-GIA)

Continuing (IAEA)

Duration:

36 months (DOST-GIA)

Continuing (IAEA)

Funding:

PhP 4,512,098 (DOST-GIA)

US$ 221,580 (2007-2010 IAEA TC Project PHI3009)

Report Prepared By:

1-

AJ

Leonardo YLeopando
Project Leader

Noted:

Date:

28 February 2011

Executive Summary
In 2005, the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) decided to decommission its 42-year-old
Philippine Research Reactor (PRR-1). The PNRI had never decommissioned a large nuclear facility before.
The PNRI sought help from its parent agency, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and from
the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA was asked to provide technical advice, training
and some equipment while the DOST was asked to support the creation of a Decommissioning Plan with a
Grant-in-Aid (GIA). IAEA assistance began in 2005 and DOST-GIA assistance began in 2007. Using only
its own people, the PNRI set up a PRR-1 Decommissioning Project and a Task Force under it to create the
decommissioning plan.
The IAEA chose the PRR-1 as the model reactor for its Research Reactor Decommissioning
Demonstration Project (R2D2P). The R2D2P sponsored a series of workshops with international participants
and lecturers which were valuable sources of decommissioning knowledge and training.
As a necessary input to creating the Decommissioning Plan, the Task Force undertook to perform a
Characterization Survey to define the hazards in the PRR-1 (primarily radiological). The Task Force engaged
in the following activities in connection with the Characterization Survey:
1.
Obtained and prepared equipment. The IAEA, through its Technical Cooperation Project PHI3009,
funded much of the equipment for the Characterization Survey. DOST-GIA funded the rest of the
equipment and their operating expenses.
2.
Prepared a comprehensive Facility Description.
3.
Performed a detailed Radiation Protection Survey.
4.
Prepared a Characterization Survey Plan.
5.
Began field measurements, sample-taking and laboratory analysis.
The Characterization Survey was not finished as scheduled at the end of the DOST-GIA period, but is
being continued by the PNRI to completion, with IAEA support to continue through 2011. The reason for the
delay is a lack of qualified manpower; PNRI people with the proper expertise can only work in the project
part-time.
The PNRI has also started a draft of the Decommissioning Plan, although it will not be in final form
until after the Characterization Survey is completed and the appropriate methodologies for decontamination
and dismantling have been chosen and detailed. The PNRI is committed to finishing the Decommissioning
Plan.
Aside from the lack of manpower, the PNRI has not found any technical impediment to finishing the
Characterization Survey and the Decommissioning Plan. However, the source of future funding to implement
the Decommissioning Plan is not yet clear.
The PNRI is paying attention to the need to preserve the safety of the PRR-1 while awaiting
decommissioning. The reactor building is being cleared of clutter and easily-removable radioactive
materials. Some major building maintenance is necessary and the remaining nuclear fuel must be safely and
securely stored, but funding for much of these is also uncertain.

Table of Contents
Project Summary..............................................................................................................................................1
Executive Summary..........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction......................................................................................................................................................4
Review of Literature.........................................................................................................................................5
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Publications.........................................................................5
United States of America (USA) Publications.............................................................................................6
European Union (EU) Publications..............................................................................................................6
United Kingdom (UK) Publications............................................................................................................6
Scientific Basis.................................................................................................................................................7
Decommissioning and Regulatory Control..................................................................................................7
Decommissioning in the Life Cycle of Nuclear Facilities...........................................................................8
The Ideal Case........................................................................................................................................8
The PRR-1 Case.....................................................................................................................................9
Preparing For PRR-1 Decommissioning......................................................................................................9
The Transition Phase in the PRR-1.........................................................................................................9
Preparing the Decommissioning Plan.....................................................................................................9
Doing the Characterization Survey.......................................................................................................10
Managing Decommissioning................................................................................................................11
Results and Findings.......................................................................................................................................12
The Characterization Survey.....................................................................................................................12
Equipment Obtained.............................................................................................................................12
Facility Description..............................................................................................................................15
Radiation Protection Survey.................................................................................................................15
Characterization Survey Plan................................................................................................................16
Unfinished Characterization Survey Activities.....................................................................................17
Drafting a Decommissioning Plan.............................................................................................................18
Participation in the R2D2 Project..............................................................................................................18
Workshops............................................................................................................................................18
Training................................................................................................................................................20
Experts..................................................................................................................................................20
Other Activities and Results......................................................................................................................20
Project Organization and Management.................................................................................................20
Housekeeping.......................................................................................................................................21
Building Maintenance and Repair........................................................................................................21
Nuclear Fuel Storage............................................................................................................................22
Problems and Solutions..................................................................................................................................23
Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion................................................................................................24
Appendices.....................................................................................................................................................25
Appendix A. Terminal Audited Financial Report....................................................................................A-1
Appendix B. Project Personnel................................................................................................................B-1
Appendix C. Equipment Obtained Under the GIA..................................................................................C-1
Appendix D. PRR-1 Facility Description Document...............................................................................D-1
Appendix E. Radiation Protection Survey Reports..................................................................................E-1
Appendix F. The Characterization Survey Plan.......................................................................................F-1
Appendix G. Early and Incomplete Draft of the PRR-1 Decommissioning Plan.....................................G-1
Appendix H. Agendas and Participants in the R2D2P Workshops..........................................................H-1
Appendix I. Report on the Transfer of Co-60 Sources..............................................................................I-1
Appendix J. Fuel Storage Vault Design Requirements Document............................................................J-1