A proposed classification system for high-level and other radioactive wastes

Technical Report · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1987

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6525980· OSTI ID:6525980

Kocher, D. C.; Croff, A. G.

This report presents a proposal for quantitative and generally applicable risk-based definitions of high-level and other radioactive wastes. On the basis of historical descriptions and definitions of high-level waste (HLW), in which HLW has been defined in terms of its source as waste from reprocessing of spent nuclear fuel, we propose a more general definition based on the concept that HLW has two distinct attributes: HLW is (1) highly radioactive and (2) requires permanent isolation. This concept leads to a two-dimensional waste classification system in which one axis, related to ''requires permanent isolation,'' is associated with long-term risks from waste disposal and the other axis, related to ''highly radioactive,'' is associated with shorter-term risks due to high levels of decay heat and external radiation. We define wastes that require permanent isolation as wastes with concentrations of radionuclides exceeding the Class-C limits that are generally acceptable for near-surface land disposal, as specified in the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's rulemaking 10 CFR Part 61 and its supporting documentation. HLW then is waste requiring permanent isolation that also is highly radioactive, and we define ''highly radioactive'' as a decay heat (power density) in the waste greater than 50 W/m/sup 3/ or an external radiation dose rate at a distance of 1 m from the waste greater than 100 rem/h (1 Sv/h), whichever is the more restrictive. This proposal also results in a definition of Transuranic (TRU) Waste and Equivalent as waste that requires permanent isolation but is not highly radioactive and a definition of low-level waste (LLW) as waste that does not require permanent isolation without regard to whether or not it is highly radioactive.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 6525980
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-10289; ON: DE87011957
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
CLASSIFICATION
CONTAINERS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY SOURCES
FUEL REPROCESSING PLANTS
FUELS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GAMMA RADIATION
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR FUELS
NUCLEAR WASTE POLICY ACTS
PILOT PLANTS
POWER DENSITY
RADIATIONS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR MATERIALS
RECOMMENDATIONS
REGULATIONS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SPENT FUELS
UNDERGROUND DISPOSAL
UNDERGROUND FACILITIES
US DOE
US EPA
US NRC
US ORGANIZATIONS
VITRIFICATION
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE FORMS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WIPP