Economic analysis of a volume reduction/polyethylene solidification system for low-level radioactive wastes
A study was conducted at Brookhaven National Laboratory to determine the economic feasibility of a fluidized bed volume reduction/polyethylene solidification system for low-level radioactive wastes. These results are compared with the ''null'' alternative of no volume reduction and solidification of aqueous waste streams in hydraulic cement. The economic analysis employed a levelized revenue requirement (LRR) technique conducted over a ten year period. An interactive computer program was written to conduct the LRR calculations. Both of the treatment/solidification options were considered for a number of scenarios including type of plant (BWR or PWR) and transportation distance to the disposal site. If current trends in the escalation rates of cost components continue, the volume reduction/polyethylene solidification option will be cost effective for both BWRs and PWRs. Data indicate that a minimum net annual savings of $0.8 million per year (for a PWR shipping its waste 750 miles) and a maximum net annual savings of $9 million per year (for a BWR shipping its waste 2500 miles) can be achieved. A sensitivity analysis was performed for the burial cost escalation rate, which indicated that variation of this factor will impact the total levelized revenue requirement. The burial cost escalation rate which yields a break-even condition was determined for each scenario considered. 11 refs., 8 figs., 39 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 5893361
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-51866; ON: DE85012567
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products. Original copy available until stock is exhausted
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
COMBUSTION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SOLIDIFICATION
COMPUTER CALCULATIONS
COST ESTIMATION
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
POLYETHYLENES
SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS
VOLUME
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ECONOMICS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OXIDATION
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
052001* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Processing
051000 - Nuclear Fuels- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects