Course in Chemical and Physical Decontamination Strategies
Online 300-hour course in chemical and physical decontamination strategies. 6 modules covering ISO 7503 (surface contamination measurement), IAEA GSR Part 6 (decommissioning of facilities) and VISIPLAN. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Course in Chemical and Physical Decontamination Strategies — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand has no nuclear power generation, and its nuclear-related activity is limited to research, isotope applications and the regulation of imported radioactive materials. The country maintains a firm policy position against nuclear power under the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament and Arms Control Act 1987. Relevant professional roles mainly involve radiation protection, medical and industrial applications, and international safeguards cooperation, overseen by the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Health.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$1,580 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
Does New Zealand have nuclear engineering registration or recognition?
New Zealand has no domestic nuclear power industry, and its nuclear-related activity is regulated mainly through the Ministry of Health and the Ministry for the Environment under the Radiation Protection framework. Engineering New Zealand is the general professional body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so their recognition is for employers to decide.
Where could nuclear-related engineering skills be used in New Zealand?
Relevant work in New Zealand is limited and mostly found in research, radiation safety, medical physics, and the handling of radioactive materials in industry and health. Employers in these areas generally require specific accredited training and licensing. A private qualification alone is unlikely to satisfy those requirements.
Can I study this from New Zealand without relocating?
Yes. The course is fully online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand and no student visa is needed. Specialist courses total 300 hours, postgraduate diplomas 800 hours and master's programmes 1,900 hours, with an assigned technical tutor. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Describe the types and mechanisms of radioactive contamination.
Select chemical decontamination processes according to the substrate.
Apply physical and mechanical decontamination techniques.
Plan the decontamination of soils and environments.
Calculate decontamination factors and associated doses.
Manage the secondary waste generated.
Develop a justified decontamination project.
Who it's for
- Decontamination engineer who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Radiation protection technician who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Decontamination chemistry specialist who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Radioactive waste manager who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Supervisor of decommissioning works who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Radiological characterisation technician who wants to specialise in chemical and physical decontamination strategies.
- Graduates in engineering or sciences looking to enter nuclear decommissioning.
What you'll work with
- ISO 7503 (surface contamination measurement)
- IAEA GSR Part 6 (decommissioning of facilities)
- IAEA GSR Part 5 (management prior to the disposal of waste)
- NUREG-1575 (MARSSIM)
- Royal Decree 1029/2022 (protection of health against ionising radiation)
- ISO 8690 (surface decontamination, decontaminability testing)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Fixed versus removable contamination1.2Mechanisms of adhesion to surfaces1.3Typical radionuclides: Co-60, Cs-137, Sr-901.4Oxide layers in primary circuits1.5Decontamination factor (DF)1.6Smear and direct measurement1.7Clearance levels1.8IAEA guidance on decontamination1.9ALARA in decontamination work1.10Workshop: radiological characterisation of a component
2.1Oxide dissolution and reduction-oxidation2.2CORD, LOMI and CAN-DEREM processes2.3Full system decontamination (FSD)2.4Decontaminating gels and foams2.5Complexing and chelating agents2.6Corrosion of the base metal2.7Generation of secondary waste2.8Effluent treatment with ion exchange2.9Material compatibility2.10Case study: FSD on a PWR primary circuit
3.1Wet and dry abrasive blasting3.2Ultra-high-pressure water3.3Concrete scarifying3.4Laser ablation3.5Dry ice (CO2)3.6Strippable coatings3.7Ultrasonics3.8Electropolishing3.9Metal melting and recycling3.10Practice: selecting a technique for concrete
4.1Contaminated soils and washing4.2Remediation techniques at Fukushima4.3Urban decontamination4.4Phytoremediation4.5Containment versus removal4.6Groundwater and reactive barriers4.7Management of large volumes4.8Chernobyl experience4.9Communication with the public4.10Case study: remediation of the Fukushima area
5.1Multi-criteria selection of techniques5.2Cost versus decontamination factor5.3Collective dose of personnel5.4Classification of generated waste5.5Minimisation of secondary waste5.6Clearance of materials5.7Spanish regulation and ENRESA5.8Occupational safety and PPE5.9Final verification of results5.10Workshop: decontamination plan for a building
6.1Description of the facility6.2Initial radiological characterisation6.3Decontamination objectives6.4Selection of techniques6.5Estimation of dose and waste6.6Work plan6.7Verification and clearance6.8Cost analysis6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
Training 100 % online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine it with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is VISIPLAN, RESRAD, MicroShield, advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for chemical decontamination tests on circuits, abrasive blasting and scarifying of surfaces, and measurement of decontamination factors. Assessment is continuous per module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Describe the types and mechanisms of radioactive contamination.
Select chemical decontamination processes according to the substrate.
Apply physical and mechanical decontamination techniques.
Plan the decontamination of soils and environments.
Calculate decontamination factors and associated doses.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours a week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with VISIPLAN, RESRAD, MicroShield and advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit transfer policy when you enrol.
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