Some thoughts on possible IAEA support to Radioactive Waste Management issues in R&D Road Map

Transcription

1 Some thoughts on possible support to Radioactive Waste Management issues in R&D Road Map Susanta Kumar Samanta and Zoran Drace Waste Technology Section International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna, Austria International Expert s Workshop and International Symposium on Decommissioning of TEPCO s Fukushima Daiichi NPP Unit 1-4, Tokyo, March, 2012 International Atomic Energy Agency

2 Anticipated major waste management issues at Fukushima Daiichi NPP Technical Management of secondary waste from water processing - alternatives for immobilization of highly active zeolites, sludges, treatment of concentrate containing Sr-90 and other radionuclides in the presence of high salt. Treatment of liquids with problematic constituents (typical for decontamination solutions). Management of large volumes of solid waste with unique constituents (e.g. rubbles, metals, soil) that should be prepared for storage and eventual disposal. Characterization and management (processing and/or packaging) of HLW (fuel containing debris) with problematic constituents. Planning for implementation Optimization of life cycle for management of large volumes of waste as consequence of accident related to assessment of inventory, dynamic of waste generation, selection of technical options, optimization of R&D, selection of end-points (storage/disposal), establishment of planning scenarios and justification of costs. 2

3 support: Means & Mechanisms Means Development of Publications Establishment of Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) Organization of International Workshops/Seminars/Symposia Providing Peer Review Services Mechanisms to support R&D Road Map Safety Action Plan activity item10.2: Member States, the Secretariat and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate the use of available information, expertise and techniques regarding the removal of damaged nuclear fuel and the management and disposal of radioactive waste resulting from a nuclear emergency. can also provide direct support based on request from the Member State 3

4 relevant technical guidance documents (published or on-going) Technical Treatment of LRW- e.g. New developments and improvements in processing of problematic radioactive waste, TECDOC-1579 (2007) result of CRP Treatment of SRW- e.g. Management of problematic waste and material generated during the decommissioning of nuclear facilities, TRS-441 (2006) Conditioning of LRW and SRW- e.g. Performance and behaviour of cementitious materials in long term storage and disposal of radioactive waste - draft report - result of recently completed CRP Management of HLW- e.g. Management of severely damaged nuclear fuel and related waste, TRS-321 (1991) Planning for Implementation - draft reports on: Methodology for establishing an inventory of radioactive waste and for assessing the subsequent management needs Selection of technical solutions for the management of radioactive waste Economics of radioactive waste management NOTE: List of relevant documents provided separately. has a plan to update some of earlier documents to address management of waste from severe accidents. 4

5 Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs) - topics of possible interest CRP is mechanism to assemble R&D teams from MSs to cooperate, share and exchange results of work on selected topics. CRPs run for 3-5 years. Results reported/discussed at scheduled meetings. CRP output published as Reports. CRPs that could fit to and match time line of R&D Road Map: Processing technologies for HLW, formulation of matrices and characterisation of waste forms- (The existing CRP should be enhanced to include development of processing techniques and suitable matrices for fuel containing masses resulting from nuclear reactor core meltdown). New: Treatment, conditioning and disposal of large quantity of liquid and solid waste as a consequence of nuclear accident or incident at NPP (R&D on: (i) new developments of pre-treatment and treatment techniques for huge volumes, (ii) simplified matrices and technologies for conditioning, (iii) characterization of immobilized waste forms, (IV) storage and disposal) New: Treatment and conditioning of alpha-bearing (long lived) liquid and solid waste streams (New processes for treatment and conditioning of problematic alpha waste for which safe, efficient and cost effective methods are not readily available) NOTE: The primary target for assembling of R&D teams could be from countries that have dealt with consequences of major nuclear accidents, legacy waste and operational waste from fuel cycle facilities (e.g. Japan, USA, Russia, France, UK, China, India, Ukraine, Slovakia). 5

6 International Workshops/Seminars/Symposia and Peer Review Services Identified technical and planning topical issues could be discussed at international workshops/seminars/symposia success depends on availability of a reliable data base of suitable experts. Peer Reviews, done by international team of experts at the request of Member States could assist in addressing of many technical and planning issues, such as: Selection of optimal possible technical options for different life cycle scenarios Technical feasibility, safety, environmental impacts and cost of implementation of RWM life cycle options 6

7 Thank you for your attention! 7