Decommission means to withdraw from service. In an energy context it normally refers to nuclear decommissioning -- removing a nuclear energy plant from service. Because of the possible presence of radioactive or fissile material in a nuclear facility, special precautions are required.
Methods[edit | edit source]
Dismantling[edit | edit source]
Parts of the reactor are removed or decontaminated soon after the nuclear plant closes,allowing the land to be used for other purposes.
Safe Storage[edit | edit source]
The nuclear plant is monitored and radiation is allowed to decay. Then afterwards it is dismantled.
Entombment[edit | edit source]
Sealing off radioactive components with concrete and steel. This allows radiation to decay until the land can be used for other purposes.