Global Nuclear Energy Partnership Integrated Waste Management Strategy
Key to successful implementation and expansion of nuclear energy in the United States is establishing an effective waste management system to allow routine disposition of spent fuel and all byproduct and waste streams. While it would be possible to manage and dispose wastes that would be generated from the advanced separations proposed in the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) program under a policy and regulatory framework that is essentially identical to what is currently in place, a more optimal approach exists that, if implemented, could result in a more efficient system for managing and disposing radioactive materials. An Integrated Waste Management Strategy (IWMS) is described here to manage and disposition all wastes from any radioactive operations, including, but not limited to nuclear fuel reprocessing. The IWMS was developed considering the need for a sustainable nuclear fuel cycle effectively integrating waste management in a manner that can be commercialized and eventually adapted to be used internationally. The GNEP Program proposes a combination of thermal and fast reactors, supported by fuel recycling and the use of recovered transuranic materials in nuclear fuel. This comes close to closing the fuel cycle and improves the system for managing and disposing of radioactive wastes derived from electricity generation. As an example, removing actinides and key heat-generating fission products from the waste could permit increased waste loading densities within a geologic repository, allowing for increased disposal capacity in a facility of the same size. As long as the primary function of the repository is not impacted, i.e. controlling the potential radiation dose to the public, the same facility could hold the waste from generating more electricity. This is desirable to support expanded use of nuclear power and sharing the benefits of nuclear energy with the international community while maintaining proliferation resistance and safe waste disposal. This IWMS does not establish a program or propose policy. Rather, it provides a logical basis for radioactive waste disposal on which potential changes to current programs and policies can be formulated and evaluated. The current version of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA) could be interpreted to include any and all wastes from fuel reprocessing that are highly radioactive as high level wastes requiring repository disposal regardless of the magnitude or duration of the risks they pose. All wastes generated by the processes being developed under GNEP can be disposed under the current regulations, however, significant efficiencies can be realized if the partitioned wastes can be dispositioned based on their characteristics rather than their origin. This IWMS is based on the premise that the NWPA can be clarified or amended to use a graded scale of waste management considering the actual risks of specific waste streams similar to the structure of chemical waste regulations currently accepted by the public. Such an alternative approach would allow for more efficient, and cost-effective, management and disposal of nuclear waste while safely protecting the public from unacceptable risk.
- Research Organization:
- Global Nuclear Energy Partnership; Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States); Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), Aiken, SC (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States); Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States); Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Environmental Management (EM); USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE); USDOE Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management (RW); Nuclear Regulatory Commision (NRC); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- OSTI ID:
- 1552283
- Report Number(s):
- GNEP-WAST-WAST-AI-RT-2008-000214; GNEP-TIO-PMO-MI-DV-2008-000198
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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