Waste-acceptance criteria for radioactive waste disposal
A method has been developed for establishing waste-acceptance criteria based on quantitative performance factors that characterize the confinement capabilities of a disposal facility for radioactive waste. The method starts from the objective of protecting public health and safety by assuring that disposal of the waste will not result in a radiation dose of any member of the general public, in either the short or long term, in excess of an established basic dose limit. A key aspect of the method is the introduction of a confinement factor that characterizes the overall confinement capability of a particular disposal facility and can be used for quantitative performance assessments as well as for establishing facility-specific waste-acceptance criteria. Confinement factors enable direct and simple conversion of a basic dose limit into waste-acceptance criteria, specified as concentration limits on rationuclides in the waste streams. Waste-acceptance criteria can be represented visually as activity/time plots for various waste streams. These plots show the concentrations of radionuclides in a waste stream as a function of time and permit a visual, quantitative assessment of long-term performance, relative risks from different radionuclides in the waste stream, and contributions from ingrowth. Application of the method to generic facility designs provides a radional basis for a waste classification system. 14 refs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6431092
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-870306-61; ON: DE87011518
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: Waste management '87, Tucson, AZ, USA, 1 Mar 1987; Other Information: Paper copy only, copy does not permit microfiche production
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
INSPECTION
RADIATION PROTECTION
RISK ASSESSMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
DESIGN
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
CLASSIFICATION
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage