Reexamination of the incentives for partitioning-transmutation of high-level radioactive wastes and spent nuclear fuel

Conference · Fri Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:141144

Michaels, G E ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, TN (United States)

An evolving understanding of the technical and institutional issues associated with geologic disposal, as well as the increasing costs and regulatory rigor associated with all types of radioactive waste management, has motivated a widespread resurgence of interest in partitioning and transmutation (P-T) systems. A potential benefit of P-T technology is the reduction of estimated repository releases which are estimated for relevant repository release modes (aqueous, gaseous, human intrusion, and volcanic). P-T technology can be used to increase the areal capacity in a spent-fuel repository, which is shown to be limited by the thermal decay heat of emplaced waste rather than by volume. Significant reductions in total fuel-cycle health risk can also be achieved by reducing the emissions and large radioactive waste streams associated with uranium mining and milling operations. Other claimed benefits of P-T, including resource extension, recovery of platinum-group metals, and improving public perception of nuclear power are reviewed.

• OSTI ID: 141144
• Report Number(s): CONF-930304--; CNN: DE-ACO5-84OR21400
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
40 CHEMISTRY
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
FINANCIAL INCENTIVES
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
PARTITION
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SPENT FUELS
TRANSMUTATION