Feasibility of disposal of high-level radioactive wastes into the seabed: Engineering
This report summarizes the work of the Engineering Studies Task Group (ESTG) of the Seabed Working Group during its study of emplacement systems for the subseabed disposal of high level radioactive waste. ESTG has performed design studies of emplacement systems, costed them, and estimated operational reliabilities. Mathematical models for important physical and engineering processes were developed and a large number of laboratory tests, sea trials, and in situ experiments for the purpose of understanding the emplacement environment and developing the specialized equipment necessary for emplacement were performed. Attention was focused on two systems. The first would emplace a 450-m column of waste packages in predrilled holes 750 m deep. The second would use free falling gravity penetrators launched from a disposal ship to embed waste packages about 50 m below the seafloor in an array that separated each by an average of 180 m from its neighbors. Studies of each system covered all aspects, from the configuration and functions of the port facilities through transport to the ocean site, emplacement operations, and post emplacement behavior of the waste packages. Cost and reliability studies were similarly broad. ESTG concludes that viable disposal systems for subseabed emplacement of waste are feasible. If appropriate sites can be found, it appears that straightforward methods are available for producing satisfactory waste packages that can survive a 500-yr emplacement period. 172 refs., 40 figs., 19 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 7243924
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-87-2223; ON: DE88012106
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
EMPLACEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
SEA BED
BOREHOLES
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CORROSION
COST
ENVIRONMENT
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OFFSHORE PLATFORMS
PACKAGING
PENETRATION DEPTH
PENETRATORS
SEDIMENTS
SHIPS
SPENT FUELS
WASTE FORMS
CAVITIES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
FUELS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FUELS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
REACTOR MATERIALS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage