View source for Engineering:Dounreay

{{short description|Location of two former nuclear research establishments in northern Scotland}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Dounreay nuclear site
| image = DounreayJM.jpg
| image_caption = View of site in 2006, with DFR sphere at centre
| location_map_size = 
| location_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{coord|58.58009|-3.74368|region:GB_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| name_official = NRS Dounreay <br>
Formerly: ''UKAEA Dounreay;'' <br>''Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment''
| country = United Kingdom
| np_reactor_type = Fast breeder reactor
| website = https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/nuclear-restoration-services
| owner = [[Organization:Nuclear Decommissioning Authority|Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]]
| operator = United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority<br />''(1955–2008)''<br />Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd<br />''(2008–2023)''<br />Nuclear Restoration Services<br />''(2023–present)''
| employees = 1,500 (2023)
| commissioned = 1955
| decommissioned = 1994 (Ceased generating but other activities continued)
| status = Decommissioning in progress
| extra = {{gbmapping|NC9811366859}}
}}

'''Dounreay''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|d|uː|n|ˈ|r|eɪ}};<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/dounreay|title=Dounreay|publisher=Collins|access-date=1 January 2015}}</ref> {{lang-gd|Dùnrath}}) is a small settlement and the site of two large nuclear establishments on the north [[Earth:Coast|coast]] of Caithness in the Highland area of Scotland. It is on the A836 road {{convert|9|mi|km|0|abbr=off|spell=on}} west of Thurso.

The nuclear establishments were created in the 1950s. They were the '''Nuclear Power Development Establishment''' ('''NPDE'''), now known as '''NRS Dounreay''', for the development of civil fast breeder reactors, and the Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment (NRTE), a military [[Engineering:Nuclear marine propulsion|submarine reactor]] testing facility. Both these no longer perform their original research functions and will be completely decommissioned. The two establishments have been a major element in the economy of Thurso and Caithness, but this will decrease with the progress of decommissioning.

NRS Dounreay will enter an interim care and surveillance state by 2036, and become a [[Chemistry:Brownfield land|brownfield site]] by 2336. An announcement in July 2020 that the [[Organization:Nuclear Decommissioning Authority|Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] (NDA) will be taking over direct management of the site from the site licence company Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) in 2021 has alleviated fears of 560 job losses.<ref>[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/2326460/hundreds-of-jobs-saved-at-dounreay-following-takeover-bid/ Press and Journal, 11 July 2020]</ref>

The NRTE is to be decommissioned under a ten-year contract starting in 2023, ending in the creation of a brownfield site, which would be transferred to the NDA.<ref name="pressandjournal.co.uk">[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/2069902/tenders-invited-for-work-to-dismantle-nuclear-reactor-site-in-the-far-north/ The Press and Journal, 13 March 2020]</ref>

==Dounreay settlement==
Dounreay is the site of Dounreay Castle (now a ruin)<ref name=Coventry>Coventry, Martin (1997) ''The Castles of Scotland''. Goblinshead. {{ISBN|1-899874-10-0}} p.147</ref> and its name derives from the Gaelic for 'fort on a mound'.<ref>{{cite book |last=Field |first=John |title=Discovering Place Names |publisher=Shire Publications |year=1984 |isbn=978-0852637029}}</ref> Dounreay was the site of the battle of Sandside Chase in 1437. Robert Gordon's map of Caithness, 1642, uses ''Dounrae'' as the name of the castle. William J. Watson's ''The Celtic Place-names of Scotland'' gives the origin as ''Dúnrath'', possibly a reference to a broch.

Dounreay was the site of a Second World War airfield, named RAF Dounreay. It became HMS ''Tern'' (II) in 1944 when the airfield was transferred to the Admiralty from RAF Coastal Command as a satellite of HMS ''Tern'' at Twatt in Orkney. It never saw any action during the war and was placed into ''care and maintenance'' in 1949.

==Nuclear sites==
There are two nuclear sites at Lower Dounreay built on and around the site of the former airfield. The Nuclear Power Development Establishment site is owned by the [[Organization:Nuclear Decommissioning Authority|Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] (NDA) but was previously owned and run by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. Adjacent to this site is the Ministry of Defence Vulcan Nuclear Reactor Test Establishment. The two sites are best known for their five [[Physics:Nuclear reactor|nuclear reactor]]s, three formerly owned and operated by the UKAEA <ref name="Robots">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/may/25/pollution.conservation |title=Robots scour sea for atomic waste|publisher=The Observer |date=25 May 2008 |first=Robin |last=McKie |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref> and two by the Ministry of Defence.

During the 1980s and 1990s, a visitor centre was opened in the former air traffic control tower.  Visitors would be taken by bus to the PFR building where anything electronic, including watches and cameras, would be stored away securely until return. White coats were worn along with radiation badges. A guided tour through the air lock into the reactor building was then conducted, walking around the reactor core and then returning via scientists working behind thick mineral glass screens.

==Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment==
[[File:Dounreay Prototype Fast Reactor.jpg|thumb|Aerial view ~1979. PFR in centre ground, DFR 'sphere' top right]]
Dounreay Nuclear Power Development Establishment was formed in 1955 primarily to pursue the UK Government policy of developing civil fast breeder reactor (FBR) technology.<ref name="Robots"/> The site was operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).<ref name="Robots"/> Three [[Physics:Nuclear reactor|nuclear reactor]]s were built there by the UKAEA, first a materials test reactor, then two fast breeder reactor prototypes. There were also fabrication and reprocessing facilities for the materials test rigs and for fuel for the FBRs.

Dounreay was chosen as the reactor location, remote from large centres of population, for safety reasons.<ref name="Robots"/> The site was operated by the site licence company Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd (DSRL) from 2008, and in 2012 management was contracted out to a Babcock-led consortium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dounreay 2023 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dounreay-2023 |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> However, the NDA was to assume complete control when DSRL became a wholly owned subsidiary of the NDA in March 2021.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dsrl-and-llwr-to-become-nda-subsidiaries NDA announcement 10 July 2020]</ref>

===Dounreay Materials Test Reactor===
The first of the Dounreay reactors to achieve criticality was the Dounreay Materials Test Reactor (DMTR) in May 1958, which was a [[Physics:DIDO (nuclear reactor)|DIDO]] class research reactor, producing a high neutron flux.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=wdQYgqDGLLoC ''New Scientist'', November 1959, article at p.1055]</ref> This reactor was used to test the performance of materials under intense neutron irradiation, particularly those intended for fuel cladding and other structural uses in a fast neutron reactor core. Test pieces were encased in uranium-bearing alloy to increase the already high neutron flux of this class of reactor, and then chemically stripped of this coating after irradiation. DMTR was closed in 1969 when materials testing work was consolidated at Harwell Laboratory.

[[File:DFR Schematic.svg|thumb|right|Schematic diagram showing the operation of the DFR, a NaK-cooled FBR
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:auto;"
|+ Key
|1||Fissile [[Chemistry:Plutonium|Pu]]-239 core
|-
|2||[[Physics:Control rod|Control rod]]s
|-
|3||[[Chemistry:Uranium|U]]-238 [[Engineering:Breeder reactor|Breeder blanket]]
|-
|4||Primary NaK coolant loop
|-
|5||Secondary NaK coolant loop
|-
|6||Secondary NaK circulator
|-
|7||Secondary heat exchanger
|-
|8||Primary heat exchanger
|-
|9||Primary NaK circulator
|-
|10||[[Chemistry:Boron|Boron]]ised [[Chemistry:Graphite|graphite]] neutron shield
|-
|11||Radiation shield
|}]]
{{anchor|DFR}}

===Dounreay Fast Reactor===
The second operational reactor (although the first to commence construction) was the Dounreay Fast Reactor (DFR), which achieved criticality on 14 November 1959. Power was exported to the National Grid from 14 October 1962 until the reactor was taken offline for decommissioning in March 1977.<ref name=vonHippel2010/>{{rp|81}} During its operational lifespan, DFR produced over 600{{nbsp}}million{{nbsp}}[[Kilowatt hour|kWh]] of electricity.<ref name=nei-20091110>{{cite news |title=Dounreay Fast Reactor celebrates fifty years |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2054687 |url-status=dead |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=10 November 2009 |access-date=29 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221234930/http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2054687 |archive-date=21 February 2012 |df=dmy-all}}{{cite news |title=Dounreay Fast Reactor celebrates fifty years |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2054687 |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=10 November 2009 |access-date=29 December 2009 |df=dmy-all}}| archive-url =</ref>

DFR and associated facilities cost £15{{nbsp}}million to build in late-1950s money (equivalent to £370{{nbsp}}million in 2021).<ref name=DFR>{{cite web|url=http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/archive/Reactors/Dounreay%20Fast%20Reactor/dounreay_fast_reactor.pdf|title=DFR|access-date=14 December 2012|archive-date=5 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405095607/http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/archive/Reactors/Dounreay%20Fast%20Reactor/dounreay_fast_reactor.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was designed to generate 60{{nbsp}}MW thermal power and achieve a 2% fuel burn-up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/DFR/History%20of%20DFR.pdf|title=THE BACKGROUND TO THE DOUNREAY FAST REACTOR|access-date=14 December 2012|archive-date=1 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401032537/http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/DFR/History%20of%20DFR.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It reached 30{{nbsp}}MWt in August 1962, and 60{{nbsp}}MWt in July 1963 allowing it to produce its rated 14{{nbsp}}MWe (electrical).<ref name=vonHippel2010/>{{rp|74}} The reactor was surrounded by a {{convert|139|ft|adj=on}} steel sphere, still a prominent feature of the landscape, which was constructed by the Motherwell Bridge Company.

DFR was a loop-type FBR cooled by primary and secondary NaK circuits, with 24 primary coolant loops. The reactor core was initially fuelled with uranium metal fuel stabilised with [[Chemistry:Molybdenum|molybdenum]] and clad in [[Chemistry:Niobium|niobium]]. The core was later used to test oxide fuels for PFR and provide experimental space to support overseas fast reactor fuel and materials development programmes.

It had over 5,000 breeder elements of natural uranium in stainless steel arranged in inner and outer breeder sections.<ref name=vonHippel2010/>{{rp|75}} Many were replaced in 1965.{{anchor|PFR}}

===Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR)===
The third and final UKAEA-operated reactor to be built on the Dounreay site was the Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR).<ref name=bbc-19960209>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/february/9/newsid_2730000/2730083.stm |title=New nuclear reactor for Dounreay |publisher=BBC News |date=9 February 1966 |access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref> In 1966, it was announced that the PFR would be built at Dounreay.<ref name=PFR-TL/> PFR was a pool-type fast breeder reactor, cooled by 1,500{{nbsp}}tonnes<ref name=dc-PFR/> of liquid [[Chemistry:Sodium|sodium]] and fueled with MOX. The design output of PFR was 250{{nbsp}}MWe (electrical).

It achieved criticality in 1974 and began supplying National Grid power in January 1975. There were many delays and reliability problems before reaching full power.<ref name=vonHippel2010>{{cite book |last=von Hippel |first=Frank |pages=73–88 |url=http://fissilematerials.org/library/rr08.pdf |title=Fast Breeder Reactor Programs: History and Status |publisher=International Panel on Fissile Materials |isbn=978-0-9819275-6-5 |date=February 2010 |access-date=28 April 2014|display-authors=0}}</ref>{{rp|79}} It had three cooling circuits. Leaks in the sodium water steam generators shut down one and then two of the cooling circuits in 1974 and 1975. By August 1976 it had reached 500{{nbsp}}MWt,<ref name=vonHippel2010/>{{rp|80}} (to produce about 166 MWe) and in 1985 it first reached its design output of 250{{nbsp}}MWe.<ref name=PFR-TL>{{cite web |url=https://dounreay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DSRL20PR20PP-085a20PFR20Timeline.pdf |title=Prototype Fast Reactor Timeline |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063341/https://dounreay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DSRL20PR20PP-085a20PFR20Timeline.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In 1988, it was announced that funding for FBR research was being cut from £105{{nbsp}}million to £10{{nbsp}}million per year, and the PFR funding would end in 1994.<ref name=vonHippel2010/>{{rp|87}}

The reactor was taken offline in 1994, marking the end of nuclear power generation at the site. It had supplied 9,250{{nbsp}}GWh in all.<ref name=dc-PFR>{{cite web |url=https://dounreay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DSRL20PR20PP-054a20PFR20-20201528129.pdf |title=Prototype Fast Reactor - PFR |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321063103/https://dounreay.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/DSRL20PR20PP-054a20PFR20-20201528129.pdf |archive-date=21 March 2018 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>  The lifetime [[Engineering:Load factor (electrical)|load factor]] recorded by the IAEA was 26.9%.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iaea.org/PRIS/CountryStatistics/ReactorDetails.aspx?current=243 |title=PRIS: Dounreay PFR |publisher=IAEA |access-date=28 April 2014}}</ref> The control panel for the reactor was earmarked for an exhibition on the reactor at the London Science Museum in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-27126921|title=BBC News - Plan to display parts of Dounreay at London museum|work=BBC Online|access-date=24 April 2014}}</ref>

===Material Test Reactor (MTR) Fuel Reprocessing Plant===
A plant for reprocessing MTR fuel was built early in the life of the Dounreay facility and operated for over 30 years, reprocessing on a small scale both fuel from UKAEA and other British reactors and, on a commercial basis, some foreign fuel.<ref>https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/35/068/35068330.pdf</ref>

===Dounreay Fast Reactor Irradiated Fuel Reprocessing Plant===
In the late 1950s the Dounreay Fast Reactor Irradiated Fuel Reprocessing Plant was built to reprocess irradiated HEU core fuel from the 15MW(e) Dounreay Experimental Fast Reactor.  The main output from this plant was a highly pure solution of enriched uranium nitrate solution for subsequent re-fabrication into fuel.  It was not efficient to use this plant for reprocessing natural or low enriched fuel, Dounreay breeder blanket fuel was reprocessed at Windscale/Sellafield.  In the 1970s this plant was substantially modified and enlarged to enable it to reprocess mixed oxide fuel from the commercial scale Prototype Fast Reactor (PFR) on site, which had a design output of 250MW(e).  This fuel had a high plutonium content, unlike the HEU fuel previously handled, and a plutonium separation and purification line to produce plutonium oxide was added.  The modifications included work to improve containment and to meet more modern safety standards.<ref>https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/11/527/11527435.pdf</ref>

===Subsequent activity===
Since the reactors have all been shut down,<ref name="Robots"/> care and maintenance of old plant and decommissioning activities have meant that Dounreay has still retained a large workforce. Commercial reprocessing of [[Physics:Spent nuclear fuel|spent nuclear fuel]] and [[Physics:Radioactive waste|waste]] on the Dounreay site was stopped by the UK government in 1998 although some waste is still accepted from other nuclear facilities in special circumstances.

==Significant accidents==
===Sodium explosion===
A {{convert|65|m|adj=on}} deep shaft at the plant was packed with [[Physics:Radioactive waste|radioactive waste]] and at least 2{{nbsp}}kg of sodium and potassium.<ref name="Edwards_NewScientist" /> On 10 May 1977, seawater, which flooded the shaft, reacted violently with the sodium and potassium, throwing off the massive steel and concrete lids of the shaft.<ref name="Edwards_NewScientist">{{cite web |last1=Edwards |first1=Rob |title=Lid blown off Dounreay's lethal secret |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14619830-600-lid-blown-off-dounreays-lethal-secret/ |website=New Scientist |access-date=13 January 2020}}</ref> This explosion littered the area with radioactive particles.<ref name="Edwards_NewScientist" />

===Radioactive fuel swarf===
Tens of thousands of fragments of radioactive fuel escaped the plant between 1963 and 1984, resulting in fishing being banned within {{convert|2|km|nmi|frac=2|abbr=off|spell=on}} of the plant since 1997.<ref name="Edwards_Guardian">{{cite web |last=Edwards |first=Rob |title=Scottish nuclear fuel leak 'will never be completely cleaned up' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/sep/21/scottish-nuclear-leak-clean-up |work={{wipe|The Guardian}} |date=21 September 2011 |access-date=13 January 2020}}</ref> These milled shards are thought to have washed into the sea as cooling ponds were drained.<ref name="Edwards_Guardian" /> 
{{As of|2011}}, over 2,300 radioactive particles had been recovered from the sea floor, and over 480 from the beaches.<ref name="Edwards_Guardian" /> 
{{As of|2019}} the 2{{nbsp}}km ban on harvesting seafood was still in place, but there were no other restrictions.<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactive-particles-in-the-environment-around-dounreay Monitoring of beaches near Dounreay - regularly updated]</ref>

=== Major power failure===
Following an incident in May 1998, where a mechanical digger cut through a main power cable and interrupted the site's main and back-up electricity supplies for 16 hours,<ref>[https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12296537.major-scare-at-dounreay-digger-cuts-through-cable-leaving-nuclear-plant-without-electrical-power/ The Herald 9 May 1998]</ref> operations were halted in the Fuel Cycle Area (FCA) and a safety audit of the plant was undertaken by the UK Health and Safety Executive and the [[Organization:Scottish Environment Protection Agency|Scottish Environment Protection Agency]]. In September 1998, the highly critical report was published and made 143 recommendations for improvement.<ref>1998 safety audit of Dounreay. ONR and SEPA. Published: HSE books C30 8/98</ref>

The main points of concern were:
* Weak management and technical base due to organisational changes
* Over-dependence on contractors
* No comprehensive strategy for waste disposal.
* Lack of progress with decommissioning
* Lack of integration of decommissioning and waste strategies
* Poor physical condition of plant
* Scope of rapid reporting was too narrow
* Failure to work to the standards required of a modern nuclear licensee.

The final report in 2001 on the audit noted that the UKAEA had responded satisfactorily to 89 recommendations, and the remaining 54 would be responded to in the medium to long term.<ref>Safety audit of Dounreay 1998, final report 2001. UK HSE; Document reference C5 01/02 pub Jan 2002</ref>
In November 1998, in the report ''Dounreay - The way ahead'', the UKAEA announced a proposed timetable for accelerated decommissioning, reducing the original schedule from 100{{nbsp}}years to 60{{nbsp}}years. The cost was initially estimated at £4.3{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name=thereg-20160126>{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/26/geeks_guide_dounreay/ |title=Come on kids, let's go play in the abandoned nuclear power station |author=Bill Ray |newspaper=The Register |date=26 January 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>
An accelerated decommissioning plan was welcomed by the [[Organization:Friends of the Earth Scotland|Friends of the Earth Scotland]], but the environmental group remained opposed to further fuel reprocessing at the site.

==Removal of fuel==
Following the 1998 report, the Department of Trade and Industry was presented with three options for dealing with 25{{nbsp}}tonnes of radioactive reactor fuel at Dounreay. The options were:
#to reprocess it at Dounreay,
#to reprocess some at Dounreay and some at Sellafield, or
#to store it above ground at Dounreay.
A plan was eventually devised to remove irradiated and unirradiated fuel to the Sellafield nuclear site, starting in 2014. In 2018, the NDA reported that it would be completed in 2018/2019.<ref>[https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1446806/most-deadly-dounreay-material-removed-by-next-year/ The Press and Journal April 2018]</ref>

==Nuclear Decommissioning Authority ownership==
On 1 April 2005, the [[Organization:Nuclear Decommissioning Authority|Nuclear Decommissioning Authority]] (NDA) became the owner of the site, with the UKAEA remaining as operator. Decommissioning of Dounreay was initially planned to bring the site to an interim care and surveillance state by 2036, and as a [[Chemistry:Brownfield land|brownfield site]] by 2336, at a total cost of £2.9{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name=nda-strategy-2005>{{cite report |url=http://www.nda.gov.uk/documents/upload/Draft_Strategy_for_Consultation_2005.pdf |title=NDA Strategy - draft for consultation |page=93 |publisher=Nuclear Decommissioning Authority |year=2005 |access-date=7 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122155158/http://www.nda.gov.uk/documents/upload/Draft_Strategy_for_Consultation_2005.pdf |archive-date=22 November 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

A new company called Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL) was formed as a subsidiary of the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) to handle the decommissioning process. By May 2008, decommissioning cost estimates had been revised. Removal of all waste from the site was expected to take until the late 2070s to complete, and the end-point of the project was scheduled for 2300.<ref>{{cite news |title=DOUNREAY DECOMMISSIONING: Monumental task. |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-179193410.html |url-status=dead |work=The Engineer |date=19 May 2008 |access-date=3 May 2015 |via=Highbeam Research |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145249/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-179193410.html |archive-date=24 September 2015}}</ref>

Apart from decommissioning the reactors, reprocessing plant, and associated facilities, there were five main environmental issues to be dealt with:
* A {{convert|65|m|ft|adj=mid|-deep}} shaft used for intermediate-level [[Physics:Nuclear waste|nuclear waste]] disposal was contaminating groundwater, and would be threatened by coastal erosion in about 300{{nbsp}}years. The shaft was never designed as a waste depository, but was used as such on a very ad hoc and poorly monitored basis, without reliable waste disposal records being kept. It was originally used to construct a tunnel for the sea discharge pipe. Later use of the shaft as a convenient waste depository had resulted in one [[Chemistry:Hydrogen|hydrogen gas]] explosion<ref>{{cite web |last=Ross |first=John |title=Dounreay chiefs played down major blast at plant |url=http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=566&id=1071022005 |publisher=The Scotsman |date=14 July 2005 |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref> caused by [[Chemistry:Sodium|sodium]] and [[Chemistry:Potassium|potassium]] wastes reacting with water. At one time it was normal for workers to fire rifles into the shaft to sink polythene bags floating on water.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ross |first=David |title=No-one knows what is left in the Dounreay waste shaft |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1145249.0.0.php |url-status=dead |publisher=The Herald |date=25 January 2007 |access-date=12 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007172440/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1145249.0.0.php |archive-date=7 October 2008}}</ref>
* Irradiated [[Physics:Nuclear fuel|nuclear fuel]] particles on the seabed near the plant,<ref name="Robots"/> estimated to be about several hundreds of thousands in number,<ref>{{cite news|title=Evidence of many more radioactive particles near beach|url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/environment/display.var.2469367.0.Evidence_of_many_more_radioactive_particles_near_beach.php|publisher=The Herald|date=20 November 2008|first=David|last=Ross|access-date=18 August 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> caused by old fuel rod fragments being pumped into the sea.<ref name="Robots"/> The beach had been closed since 1983 due to this.<ref name="Robots"/>  In 2008, a clean-up project using [[Organization:Geiger counter|Geiger counter]]-fitted robot submarines was planned to search out and retrieve each particle individually.<ref name="Robots"/> Particles were still being washed ashore at Sandside Bay beach and one particle at a popular tourist beach at Dunnet in 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2040484 |title=UKAEA advised to close Dounreay beach |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=24 November 2006 |access-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927191113/http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2040484 |archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> In 2012, a two million [[Becquerel|becquerel]] particle was found at Sandside beach, twice as radioactive as any particle previously found.<ref name=bbc-20120220>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-17098948 |title='Most radioactive' particle found on beach near Dounreay |publisher=BBC News |date=20 February 2012 |access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref>
* {{convert|18,000|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of radiologically contaminated land, and {{convert|28,000|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of chemically contaminated land.
* {{convert|1350|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of high and medium active liquors and {{convert|2550|m3|cuft|abbr=on}} of unconditioned intermediate-level nuclear waste in store.
* {{convert|1500|t|ST|abbr=off}} of [[Chemistry:Sodium|sodium]], of which {{convert|900|t|ST|abbr=off}} are radioactively contaminated from the Prototype Fast Reactor.

Historically, much of Dounreay's nuclear waste management was poor. On 18 September 2006, Norman Harrison, acting chief operating officer, predicted that more problems will be encountered from old practices at the site as the decommissioning effort continues. Some parts of the plant are being entered for the first time in 50{{nbsp}}years.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/5355698.stm |title=Boss warns of new Dounreay issues |work=BBC News |date=18 September 2006 |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref>

In 2007, UKAEA pleaded guilty to four charges under the Radioactive Substances Act 1960 relating to activities between 1963 and 1984, one of disposing of radioactive waste at a landfill site at the plant between 1963 and 1975, and three of illegally dumping radioactive waste and releasing nuclear fuel particles into the sea,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1173769.0.0.php |title=Dounreay nuclear waste was dumped in the sea |publisher=The Herald |date=7 February 2007 |first=Calum |last=MacDonald |access-date=12 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006062302/http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.1173769.0.0.php |archive-date=6 October 2008  }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6332669.stm |title=UKAEA admits to illegal dumping |work=BBC News |date=6 February 2007 |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref> resulting in a fine of £140,000.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/6364351.stm |title=Nuclear site operator fined £140k |work=BBC News |date=15 February 2007 |access-date=12 April 2009}}</ref>

In 2007 a new decommissioning plan was agreed, with a schedule of 25{{nbsp}}years and a cost of £2.9{{nbsp}}billion, a year later revised to 17{{nbsp}}years at a cost of £2.6{{nbsp}}billion.<ref name=thereg-20160126/>

Due to the uranium and plutonium held at the site, it is considered a security risk and there is a high police presence.<ref name="Robots"/>

In 2013, the detail design of the major project to decommission the intermediate-level waste shaft was completed, and work was to begin later in the year. The work would include the recovery and packaging of over 1,500{{nbsp}}tonnes of radioactive waste.<ref name=nei-20130227>{{cite news |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/features/featureup-the-chute/ |title=Up the chute |author=Bo Wier |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=27 February 2013 |access-date=15 March 2013}}</ref> 
{{As of|2013}}, the "interim end state" planned date had been brought forward to 2022–2025.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/Project%20profiles/Site%20Closure%20Programme.pdf |title=Site Closure Programme (Dounreay) |publisher=Nuclear Decommissioning Authority |year=2013 |access-date=7 December 2013 |archive-date=12 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212210943/http://www.dounreay.com/UserFiles/File/Project%20profiles/Site%20Closure%20Programme.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2014, firefighters extinguished a small fire in an area used to store low-level nuclear waste.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-26565583|title=BBC News - Small low-level waste fire at Dounreay reported to Sepa|date=13 March 2014|work=BBC Online|access-date=15 March 2014}}</ref>

On 7 October 2014, a fire on the PFR site led to a "release of radioactivity via an unauthorised route". The [[Organization:Office for Nuclear Regulation|Office for Nuclear Regulation]] (ONR) concluded that "procedural non-compliances and behavioural practices" led to the fire, and served an improvement notice on Dounreay Site Restoration Limited.<ref name=bbc-20141121>{{cite news |last=Mckenzie |first=Steven |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-30143655 |title=Fire at Dounreay led to release of radioactivity |publisher=BBC News |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref><ref name=guardian-20141121>{{cite news |last=Macalister |first=Terry |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/nov/21/dounreay-nuclear-plant-fire-radioactivity |title=Dounreay nuclear plant fire led to 'unauthorised' radioactivity release |newspaper=The Guardian |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=21 November 2014}}</ref> In 2015, decommissioning staff expressed a lack of confidence in management at the plant and fear for their safety.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leftly |first=Mark |title=Nuclear waste workers at Dounreay power station fear for their safety |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/nuclear-waste-workers-at-dounreay-power-station-fear-for-their-safety-10108715.html |work=The Independent |date=15 March 2015 |access-date=11 August 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, the task of dismantling the PFR core commenced.<ref name=bbc-20160122>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35383979 |title=Engineers begin dismantling Dounreay's nuclear core |publisher=BBC News |date=22 January 2016 |access-date=4 April 2016}}</ref> Plans were also announced to move about {{convert|700|kg|abbr=on}} of waste Highly Enriched Uranium to the United States.<ref name=bbc-20160331>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-35930906 |title=UK-US nuclear waste deal to 'help in cancer fight' |work=BBC News |date=31 March 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref><ref name=heraldscotland-20160401>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/14396884.UK_Government_s_US_nuclear_deal_denounced_as__quot_transatlantic_nuclear_ping_pong_quot__by_campaigners/ |title=UK Government's US nuclear deal denounced as transatlantic |author=Nuclear |newspaper=The Herald |location=Scotland |date=1 April 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016}}</ref>

On 7 June 2019, there was a low-level [[Physics:Radioactive contamination|radioactive contamination]] incident that led to the evacuation of the site. A DSRL spokesman said: "There was no risk to members of the public, no increased risk to the workforce and no release to the environment".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/highlands/1783601/workers-evacuated-from-former-nuclear-power-station-in-the-highlands-after-radioactive-contamination-discovered/|title=Workers evacuated from Highland nuclear power station after radioactive contamination discovered|first=Iain|last=Grant}}</ref>

On 23 December 2019, the NDA announced completion of the transfer of all plutonium from Dounreay to Sellafield, where all significant UK stocks of plutonium are now held.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nda-completes-transfer-of-plutonium-from-dounreay|title=NDA completes transfer of plutonium from Dounreay|first=Dave|last=Wilson}}</ref>

On 20 August 2020, a new date for the site to become available for other uses was announced of 2333, as part of a new draft strategy for reclamation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-53848766 |title=Dounreay site available for reuse in the year 2333 |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2020 |access-date=2022-09-24}}</ref>

In April 2023, Dounreay became a division of Magnox Ltd as part of a simplified operating model for the NDA group.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dounreay has successfully joined with Magnox Limited |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dounreay-has-successfully-joined-with-magnox-limited |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> The site licence was transferred from DSRL to Magnox Ltd, and employees at the Dounreay site were transferred from DSRL to Magnox Ltd. In October 2023, Magnox Ltd was re-branded as 'Nuclear Restoration Services',<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-31 |title=Nuclear Restoration Services |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/nuclear-restoration-services |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> with the Dounreay division referred to as 'NRS Dounreay'.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NRS Dounreay wins national award |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nrs-dounreay-wins-national-award |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>

===Framework contracts===
In April 2019, DSRL awarded six framework contracts for decommissioning services at Dounreay.  The total value of these contracts is estimated to be £400{{nbsp}}million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Dounreay-decommissioning-framework-contracts-award |title=Dounreay decommissioning framework contracts awarded - World Nuclear News |website=www.world-nuclear-news.org}}</ref>

==Vulcan Naval Reactor Testing Establishment (NRTE)==

==See also==
*Nuclear power in Scotland
*[[Organization:Atomic Energy Research Establishment|Atomic Energy Research Establishment]]
*Nuclear power in the United Kingdom
*[[Earth:Energy policy of the United Kingdom|Energy policy of the United Kingdom]]
*Energy use and conservation in the United Kingdom
*RAF Dounreay
*Vulcan Naval Reactor Test Establishment
*Nuclear Restoration Services

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
*[http://www.dounreay.com Dounreay Site Restoration], official website
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20081011161810/http://www.nda.gov.uk/sites/dounreay/dounreayplans.cfm Dounreay - Future Plans], NDA
*[http://www.rolls-royce.com/marine/markets/submarines/propulsion/shore_based.jsp Shore Based Testing], Rolls-Royce Marine
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927045420/http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2003/0301/1003010701.asp Vulcan leads the way for Navy nuclear reactors], Navy News, 7 January 2003
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050421122902/http://www.navynews.co.uk/articles/2003/0302/1003020401.asp Vulcan takes on additional role], ''Navy News'', 4 February 2003
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040924001654/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_notes/rn01-03.pdf Dounreay], Scottish Parliament research note, 9 January 2001
*[http://www.caithness.org/fpb/dounreay/history/fastbreeder/ Dounreay - Fast Breeder], Caithness.Org
*[http://www.dounreay.com/news-room/dounreay-tv/the-dounreay-sphere The Dounreay Sphere - Design and Construction] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427201446/http://www.dounreay.com/news-room/dounreay-tv/the-dounreay-sphere |date=27 April 2014 }} (video - 25min 11sec), UKAEA, Dounreay TV
*[http://www.dounreay.com/news-room/dounreay-tv/the-building-of-the-prototype-fast-reactor The Building of the Prototype Fast Reactor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427204431/http://www.dounreay.com/news-room/dounreay-tv/the-building-of-the-prototype-fast-reactor |date=27 April 2014 }} (video - 23min 44sec), UKAEA, Dounreay TV
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051214063544/http://www.ukaea.org.uk/decommissioning/tasks.htm#Dounreay Dounreay Decommissioning Tasks], UKAEA, December 2005
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070917092623/http://www.edmund-nuttall.co.uk/news/january2007/dounreay_grout.html Dounreay shaft grout to start], Edmund Nuttall, January 2007
*[https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/radioactive-particles-in-the-environment-around-dounreay Latest reports on monitoring of beaches near Dounreay. Regularly updated]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070707165705/http://www.sepa.org.uk/radioactivity/dpag/3rd_report.htm Dounreay Particles Advisory Group: 3rd Report], SEPA, November 2006
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110515185742/http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?sectionCode=132&storyCode=2047361 Seabed robot seeks Dounreay pollution], Nuclear Engineering International, 3 October 2007

{{British nuclear power plants}}


[[Category:Liquid metal fast reactors]]

{{Sourceattribution|Dounreay}}