• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.491-505
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• 2018

As an alternative to deep geological disposal technology, which is considered as a reference concept, the domestic applicability of deep borehole disposal technology for high level radioactive waste, including spent fuel, has been preliminarily evaluated. Usually, the environment of deep borehole disposal, at a depth of 3 to 5 km, has more stable geological and geo-hydrological conditions. For this purpose, the characteristics of rock distribution in the domestic area were analyzed and drilling and investigation technologies for deep boreholes with large diameter were evaluated. Based on the results of these analyses, design criteria and requirements for the deep borehole disposal system were reviewed, and preliminary reference concept for a deep borehole disposal system, including disposal container and sealing system meeting the criteria and requirements, was developed. Subsequently, various performance assessments, including thermal stability analysis of the system and simulation of the disposal process, were performed in a 3D graphic disposal environment. With these analysis results, the preliminary evaluation of the domestic applicability of the deep borehole disposal system was performed from various points of view. In summary, due to disposal depth and simplicity, the deep borehole disposal system should bring many safety and economic benefits. However, to reduce uncertainty and to obtain the assent of the regulatory authority, an in-situ demonstration of this technology should be carried out. The current results can be used as input to establish a national high-level radioactive waste management policy. In addition, they may be provided as basic information necessary for stakeholders interested in deep borehole disposal technology.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2009.05a
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• pp.1929-1933
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• 2009

수자원 수요가 급증함에 따라 단열 암반 대수층의 지하수를 개발해 이용하려는 연구가 많이 이루어지고 있다. 본 연구에서는 단열암반 대수층의 지하수 유동 특성을 알아보기 위해 한국원자력연구원 연구 지역 내에 NX 규격의 직경 78mm를 갖는 500m 심도의 심부시추공 (DB-01)을 굴착하였다. DB-01에 대한 시추공 단열조사 (BHTV) 및 시추코아 분석을 통해서 심부 시추공에 대한 예비 투수성 구조를 도출하였으며, 투수성이 큰 구조로 단열과 연결된 지점으로 판단되는 심도에 대해서 현장 수리시험을 수행하여, 결정질 암반의 투수성 구조에 대한 수리특성을 규명하였다. 그 결과를 분석하여 비교적 투수성이 큰 심도를 결정질 암반의 대수층이라 정의하였다. 수리특성이 비슷한 3가지의 그룹 중 3그룹은 투수계수도 가장 크고 단열빈도도 밀집되어 있는 것으로 나와 심부 200m에서 250m이하의 이 단열구간은 수자원으로 지하수의 활용이 가능하다고 여겨진다.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.477-502
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• 2024

To effectively dispose of high-level radioactive waste, it is crucial to understand the geological characteristics of the deep rock at the disposal site where the disposal facility will be located. Deep drilling is essential in this process and can obtain multidisciplinary deep rock characteristics by conducting tests using recovered cores and various tests using boreholes. However, in Korea, there are currently no established guidelines or procedures for deep drilling aimed at sit investigation and characterization for high-level radioactive waste disposal. This report proposes a deep drilling procedure based on five years from 2020 of multipurpose deep drilling experience conducted for various rock types by the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. The proposed procedure includes various processes such as health, safety, and environments, pre-drilling work, drilling work, circulating drilling water management, site characterization evaluation parameter acquisition tests and measurements, and sampling. These procedures will need to be continuously revised and amended in the future to meet the needs of drilling and HLW disposal industries and related fields, as well as to strengthen quality assurance under the Nuclear Safety Act.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 2002.09a
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• pp.335-338
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• 2002

방사성폐기물처분연구의 일환으로 화강암지역내 심부지하수에 대한 지화학특성조사가 수행되었다. 지하수 시료는 다중패커시스템이 설치된 심부시추공으로부터 심도별로 채취되었으며, 계속적인 지화학 및 동위원소에 대한 모니터링이 진행되고 있다. 심부지하수는 pH가 약10.0이며 Na-HCO$_3$형으로 지화학적으로 특징되며, 지표로 250m이하의 심도에서는 거의 동일한 지화학적 특성을 보인다. 동위원소결과는 심부지하수는 천수기원임을 보이며, 천부지하수에 비해 약500~1,000m 높은 고도에서 함양되었음을 보여준다. 250m이하의 심부지하수는 50년이상의 체류시간을 갖음을 나타낸다.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.121-133
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• 2014

If the spent fuels or the high-level radioactive wastes can be disposed of in the depth of 3~5 km and more stable rock formation, it has several advantages. For example, (1)significant fluid flow through basement rock is prevented, in part, by low permeability, poorly connected transport pathways, and (2)overburden self-sealing. (3)Deep fluids also resist vertical movement because they are density stratified and reducing conditions will sharply limit solubility of most dose-critical radionuclides at the depth. Finally, (4) high ionic strengths of deep fluids will prevent colloidal transport. Therefore, as an alternative disposal concept to the deep geological disposal concept(DGD), very deep borehole disposal(DBD) technology is under consideration in number of countries in terms of its outstanding safety and cost effectiveness. In this paper, for the preliminary applicability analyses of the DBD system for the spent fuels or high level wastes, the DBD concepts which have been developed by some countries according to the rapid advance in the development of drilling technology were reviewed. To do this, the general concept of DBD system was checked and the study cases of foreign countries were described and analyzed. These results will be used as an input for the analyses of applicability for DBD in Korea.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.303-309
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• 2013

As an alternative of the spent fuel disposal in a geologic repository, a deep borehole disposal concept for disposal at the section of 3 - 5km deep in a borehole has been proposed in several countries. In this paper, the latest reports of Sandia National Laboratories on the borehole disposal researches are analyzed. For implementation of this disposal concept in Korea, a conceptual design of spent fuel disposal canister and a modified deep borehole concept are suggested along with a required disposal area.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2016

Spent fuels from nuclear power plants, as well as high-level radioactive waste from the recycling of spent fuels, should be safely isolated from human environment for an extremely long time. Recently, meaningful studies on the development of deep borehole radioactive waste disposal system in 3-5 km depth have been carried out in USA and some countries in Europe, due to great advance in deep borehole drilling technology. In this paper, domestic deep geoenvironmental characteristics are preliminarily investigated to analyze the applicability of deep borehole disposal technology in Korea. To do this, state-of-the art technologies in USA and some countries in Europe are reviewed, and geological and geothermal data from the deep boreholes for geothermal usage are analyzed. Based on the results on the crystalline rock depth, the geothermal gradient and the spent fuel types generated in Korea, a preliminary deep borehole concept including disposal canister and sealing system, is suggested.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.435-450
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• 2022

In step-by-step site selection for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste, parameters necessary for site selection will be acquired through deep drilling surveys from the basic survey stage. Unlike site investigations of rock mass structures such as tunnels and underground oil storage facilities, those related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste are not only conducted in relatively deep depths, but also require a high level of quality control. In this report, based on the 750 m depth drilling experience conducted to acquire the parameters necessary for deep geological disposal, the methodology for deep drilling and the geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrogeology and rock mechanics obtained before, during, and after deep drilling are discussed. The procedures for multidisciplinary geoscientific investigations were briefly described. Regarding in-situ stress, one of the key evaluation parameter in the field of rock engineering, foreign and domestic cases related to the geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste were presented, and variations with depth were presented, and matters to be considered or agonized in acquiring evaluation parameters were mentioned.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.355-362
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• 2019

This technical note introduces a newly-proposed concept of deep horizontal drillhole disposal of spent nuclear fuel, and considers how it can be applied in the Korean environment. This disposal concept, in which high-level radioactive waste is disposed in deep horizontal drillholes installed with directional drilling technique, is expected to have great advantages over the existing deep mined repository concept in economics and safety. Since this concept is still at the idea level, however, it is necessary for worldwide expert groups to demonstrate its safety and performance. In addition, the development of guidelines by the regulatory body should be supported. The Korean circumstances, which include a narrow territory and a high population density, as well as the amount of spent nuclear fuel, make the NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) phenomenon very strong and the siting conditions difficult. Under these conditions, if the disposal section of deep horizontal drillhole concept can be located at the continental shelf, with a stable environment, rather than in a coastal land area, it is expected to alleviate the psychological anxiety of the local community and stakeholders. Moreover, even when constructing a centralized deep mined repository in the future, it is necessary to consider locating the repository in the continental shelf.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.75-88
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• 2019

With Kori nuclear power plant unit 1 as a beginning in April 1978, 24 nuclear power plants have been operated in Korea and two more plants are under construction. As the nuclear power plants being operated, radioactive wastes from the plants have been accumulated so that various methods for disposing them have been proposed. In Korea, researches have been conducted, being focused on DGD (Deep Geological Disposal), however, DBD (Deep Borehole Disposal) method needs considering as an alternative. In this technical note, element technologies for DBD were analyzed by compiling previous researches and their applicability on domestic cases were investigated. Conceptual studies regarding relevant designs were conducted and finally, technical challenges for actual disposal were described.