• Title/Summary/Keyword: Nuclear waste repository

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Development of integrated waste management options for irradiated graphite

  • Wareing, Alan;Abrahamsen-Mills, Liam;Fowler, Linda;Grave, Michael;Jarvis, Richard;Metcalfe, Martin;Norris, Simon;Banford, Anthony William
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.49 no.5
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    • pp.1010-1018
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    • 2017
  • The European Treatment and Disposal of Irradiated Graphite and other Carbonaceous Waste project sought to develop best practices in the retrieval, treatment, and disposal of irradiated graphite including other irradiated carbonaceous waste such as structural material made of graphite, nongraphitized carbon bricks, and fuel coatings. Emphasis was given on legacy irradiated graphite, as this represents a significant inventory in respective national waste management programs. This paper provides an overview of the characteristics of graphite irradiated during its use, primarily as a moderator material, within nuclear reactors. It describes the potential techniques applicable to the retrieval, treatment, recycling/reuse, and disposal of these graphite wastes. Considering the lifecycle of nuclear graphite, from manufacture to final disposal, a number of waste management options have been developed. These options consider the techniques and technologies required to address each stage of the lifecycle, such as segregation, treatment, recycle, and ultimate disposal in a radioactive waste repository, providing a toolbox to aid operators and regulators to determine the most appropriate management strategy. It is noted that national waste management programs currently have, or are in the process of developing, respective approaches to irradiated graphite management. The output of the Treatment and Disposal of Irradiated Graphite and other Carbonaceous Waste project is intended to aid these considerations, rather than dictate them.

Ventilation System Strategy for a Prospective Korean Radioactive Waste Repository (한국형 방사성 폐기물 처분장을 위한 환기시스뎀 전략)

  • Kim Jin;Kwon Sang-Ki
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.3 no.2
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    • pp.135-148
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    • 2005
  • In the stage of conceptual design for the construction and operation of the geologic repository for radioactive wastes, it is important to consider a repository ventilation system which serves the repository working environment, hygiene & safety of the public at large, and will allow safe maintenance like moisture content elimination in repository for the duration of the repositories life, construction/operation/closure, also allowing safe waste transportation and emplacement. This paper describes the possible ventilation system design criteria and requirements for the prospective Korean radioactive waste repositories with emphasis on the underground rock cavity disposal method in the both cases of low & medium-level and high-level wastes. It was found that the most important concept is separate ventilation systems for the construction (development) and waste emplacement (storage) activities. In addition, ventilation network system modeling, natural ventilation, ventilation monitoring systems & real time ventilation simulation, and fire simulation & emergency system in the repository are briefly discussed.

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Radiological Safety Assessment for a Near-Surface Disposal Facility Using RESRAD-ONSITE Code

  • Jang, Jiseon;Kim, Tae-Man;Cho, Chun-Hyung;Lee, Dae Sung
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.19 no.1
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    • pp.123-132
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    • 2021
  • Radiological impact analyses were carried out for a near-surface radioactive waste repository at Gyeongju in South Korea. The RESRAD-ONSITE code was applied for the estimation of maximum exposure doses by considering various exposure pathways based on a land area of 2,500 ㎡ with a 0.15 m thick contamination zone. Typical influencing input parameters such as shield depth, shield materials' density, and shield erosion rate were examined for a sensitivity analysis. Then both residential farmer and industrial worker scenarios were used for the estimation of maximum exposure doses depending on exposure duration. The radiation dose evaluation results showed that 60Co, 137Cs, and 63Ni were major contributors to the total exposure dose compared with other radionuclides. Furthermore, the total exposure dose from ingestion (plant, meat, and milk) of the contaminated plants was more significant than those assessed for inhalation, with maximum values of 5.5×10-4 mSv·yr-1 for the plant ingestion. Thus the results of this study can be applied for determining near-surface radioactive waste repository conditions and providing quantitative analysis methods using RESRAD-ONSITE code for the safety assessment of disposing radioactive materials including decommissioning wastes to protect human health and the environment.

Longevity Issues in Swelling Clay as a Buffer Material for a HLW Repository (고준위폐기물처분장 완충재물질로서 팽윤성 점토의 장기건전성과 주요 고려사항)

  • Lee, Jae-Owan;Cho, Won-Jin
    • Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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    • v.6 no.1
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    • pp.55-63
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    • 2008
  • A swelling clay should remain physically and chemically stable for a long time to perform its functions as a buffer material of a high-level waste (HLW) repository. The longevity issues in the swelling clay were reviewed to evaluate their importance in the performance of a repository. The review results suggest that an elevated temperature due to decay heat, groundwater chemistry, high pH environment by concrete, organic matter and microbes, radiation, and mechanical disturbance might significantly affect the long-term performance of a swelling clay as a buffer material. This paper will be used as basic informations to design the swelling clay buffer for a HLW repository.

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The Analytical Radioactive Waste Repository Source Term REPS Model (방사성폐기물 처분장 선원항 REPS 모델)

  • Kim, Chang-Lak;Cho, Chan-Hee;Park, Kwang-Sub;Kim, Jinwung
    • Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.315-325
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    • 1990
  • The analytical repository source term (REPS) computer code is developed for the safety assessment of radioactive waste geologic repository. For reliable prediction of the leach rates for various radionuclides, degradation of concrete structures, corrosion rate of waste container, degree of corrosion on the container surface, and the characteristics of radionuclides are considered in this REPS code. For the validation of the radionuclide leach rates predicted by the REPS model, the calculated leach rates of Cs-137, Sr-85, and Co-60 are compared with two reported leaching test results. Cesium and strontium leach congruently, and the leaching test results of these species can be reproduced by the congruent leaching model included in the REPS model. In case of cobalt, the solid diffusion model is in good agreement with the leaching test results.

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