Waste-Mixes Study for space disposal

Technical Report · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6551159

McCallum, R F; Blair, H T; McKee, R W; Silviera, D J; Swanson, J L

The Wastes Mixes Study is a component of Cy-1981 and 1982 research activities to determine if space disposal could be a feasible complement to geologic disposal for certain high-level (HLW) and transuranic wastes (TRU). The objectives of the study are: to determine if removal of radionuclides from HLW and TRU significantly reduces the long-term radiological risks of geologic disposal; to determine if chemical partitioning of the waste for space disposal is technically feasible; to identify acceptable waste forms for space disposal; and to compare improvements in geologic disposal system performance to impacts of additional treatment, storage, and transportation necessary for space disposal. To compare radiological effects, five system alternatives are defined: Reference case - All HLW and TRU to a repository. Alternative A - Iodine to space, the balance to a repository. Alternative B - Technetium to space, the balance to a repository. Alternative C - 95% of cesium and strontium to a repository; the balance of HLW aged first, then to space; plutonium separated from TRU for recycle; the balance of the TRU to a repository. Alternative D - HLW aged first, then to space, plutonium separated from TRU for recycle; the balance of the TRU to a repository. The conclusions of this study are: the incentive for space disposal is that it offers a perception of reduced risks rather than significant reduction. Suitable waste forms for space disposal are cermet for HLW, metallic technetium, and lead iodide. Space disposal of HLW appears to offer insignificant safety enhancements when compared to geologic disposal; the disposal of iodine and technetium wastes in space does not offer risk advantages. Increases in short-term doses for the alternatives are minimal; however, incremental costs of treating, storing and transporting wastes for space disposal are substantial.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 6551159
• Report Number(s): ONWI-422; ON: DE83006935
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ACTINIDES
ALKALI METALS
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
ALPHA-BEARING WASTES
CERMETS
CESIUM
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
COST
DOSES
ELEMENTS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
HALOGENS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HUMAN POPULATIONS
IODINE
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
NONMETALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
PLUTONIUM
POPULATIONS
PROCESSING
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SPACE
STRONTIUM
SYSTEMS ANALYSIS
TECHNETIUM
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TRANSURANIUM ELEMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES