Considering Timescales in the Post-closure Safety of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste

Considering Timescales in the Post-closure Safety of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste
Author: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 164
Release: 2009
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

A key challenge in the development of safety cases for the deep geological disposal of radioactive waste is handling the long time frame over which the radioactive waste remains hazardous. The intrinsic hazard of the waste decreases with time, but some hazard remains for extremely long periods. This report reviews the current status and ongoing discussions of this issue, addressing such issues as ethical principles, the evolution of the hazard over time, uncertainties in the evolution of the disposal system (and how these uncertainties themselves evolve), the stability and predictability of the geological environment, repository planning and implementation including regulatory requirements, siting decisions, repository design, the development and presentation of safety cases and the planning of pre- and post-closure institutional controls such as monitoring requirements.

The Handling of Timescales in Assessing Post-closure Safety of Deep Geological Repositories

The Handling of Timescales in Assessing Post-closure Safety of Deep Geological Repositories
Author: OECD Nuclear Energy Agency
Publisher: OECD Publishing
Total Pages: 224
Release: 2002
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN:

Deep geological repositories are sited and designed to protect humans and the environment from the hazards associated with radioactive waste. A repository safety case needs to address the period fro which it is possible to contain the radioactivity. Furthermore, safety is usually assessed in terms of the primary indicators of dose and risk and, in order to evaluate these indicators, assumptions must be regarding rhe habits of potentially exposed groups (e.g. diet, lifestyle and land use) and these may change over timescales of just a few years. The need to deal with such a wide range fo timescales gives rise to a range of issues regarding the methods and presentation of safety assessements. The main objective of the workshop was to identify and discuss approaches related to, and work done on, the timescales issue within national radioactive waste management programmes in the context of assessing post-closure safety. The proceedings include the presentations made as well as a summary of the discussions held.

Regulating the Long-term Safety of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste

Regulating the Long-term Safety of Geological Disposal of Radioactive Waste
Author:
Publisher: OECD
Total Pages: 165
Release: 2008
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 9789264048126

Regulating the long-term safety of geological disposal of radioactive waste is a key part of making progress on the radioactive waste management issue. A survey of member countries has shown that differences exist both in the protection criteria being applied and in the methods for demonstrating compliance, reflecting historical and cultural differences between countries which in turn result in a diversity of decision-making approaches and frameworks. This conference proceedings presents discussions focused on diversity in regulatory processes; the basis and tools for assuring long-term protection; ethical responsibilities of one generation to later generations and how these can be discharged; and adapting regulatory processes to the long time frames involved in implementing geological disposal. These proceedings include a summary of the viewpoints expressed as well as the 22 papers presented at the workshop.--Publisher's description.

Managing Radioactive Waste Safely

Managing Radioactive Waste Safely
Author: Great Britain. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Publisher: The Stationery Office
Total Pages: 104
Release: 2008
Genre: Architecture
ISBN: 9780101738620

Published as part of the managing radioactive waste safely (MRWS) programme, this white paper sets out the UK Government's framework for managing higher activity radioactive waste in the long-term through geological disposal, coupled with safe and secure interim storage and ongoing research and development to support its optimised implementation. It also invites communities to express an interest in opening up, without commitment, discussions with Government on the possibility of hosting a geological disposal facility at some point in the future. In June 2007 the Government published a MRWS consultation document in conjunction with the devolved administrations for Wales and Northern Ireland. Responses to this consultation have been taken into consideration in the development of this white paper. The paper sets out the framework for the future implementation of geological disposal that includes: the approach to compiling and updating the UK Radioactive Waste Inventory (UKRWI) and using it as a basis for discussion with potential host communities; the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's technical approach for developing a geological disposal facility, including the use of a staged implementation approach and ongoing research and development to support delivery. The white paper covers the amount of waste for disposal; preparation and planning for geological disposal; protecting people and the environment: regulation, planning and independent scrutiny; site selection using a voluntarism and partnership approach; the site assessment process; timing and next steps.

Disposal of All Forms of Radioactive Waste and Residues

Disposal of All Forms of Radioactive Waste and Residues
Author: Michael Lersow
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 449
Release: 2019-11-16
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3030329100

This book describes repository solutions for all types of radioactive waste and residues in different geotechnical repository structures. The focus is initially on existing or planned final disposal sites in Germany and the process of finding sites. However, international comparisons are drawn, especially to locations in the US. This affects both the repository structures and the legal requirements. The radioactive substances considered include residues from uranium ore processing, as well as low and intermediate level radioactive waste up to heat generating, high level radioactive wastes, such as spent fuel and vitrified waste from reprocessing. In order to evaluate the repository structures and their inventories, a dimensionless radiotoxicity index Ai / Fi [activity of radionuclide quantity (Ai) related to the exemption limit of radionuclide (Fi)] has been introduced. This gives the reader a well-founded overview of the degree of inconsistency in the handling of safety requirements for the respective geotechnical environmental structures. This creates the necessary transparency on this issue, which has not been previously available and is required by stakeholders today. The long-term security, the duration of the observation period and the certainty of the safety prognosis are also discussed in the book as well as the participation of subsequent generations in current and possible future repositories. This is vital as nuclear energy will continue to be used worldwide in the long term. The international repository projects presented have all been subjected to the same evaluation criteria. This applies both to existing operational project as well as those about to be commissioned and the processes for seeking locations. Special attention has been paid to monitoring, both operational and long-term monitoring. This broad range of topics makes this book a very valuable read for both the interested public and the professional world.