4/2003 rev 2 i.4.9j – slide 1 of 18 session i.4.9j part i review of fundamentals module 4sources...

4/2003 Rev 24/2003 Rev 2 I.4.9j – slide I.4.9j – slide 11 of 18 of 18

Session I.4.9jSession I.4.9j

Part I Review of Fundamentals

Module 4 Sources of Radiation

Session 9j Fuel Cycle – High Level Waste Disposal

IAEA Post Graduate Educational CourseIAEA Post Graduate Educational CourseRadiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation SourcesRadiation Protection and Safe Use of Radiation Sources


High Level Waste DisposalHigh Level Waste Disposal


High Level Waste - HLWHigh Level Waste - HLW

Refers to long-life wastes from reprocessing (“first-Refers to long-life wastes from reprocessing (“first-cycle aqueous raffinate”) except in USA where there cycle aqueous raffinate”) except in USA where there is currently no reprocessingis currently no reprocessing

From Purex reprocessing, one 175 liter can From Purex reprocessing, one 175 liter can containing 150 liters of HLW glass from 2 MTHM of containing 150 liters of HLW glass from 2 MTHM of SNF (better than 5:1 volume reduction)SNF (better than 5:1 volume reduction)

DOE vitrified HLW uses 625 liter canDOE vitrified HLW uses 625 liter can

Dry storage of HLW containersDry storage of HLW containers


Vitrified High Level WasteVitrified High Level Waste

Loading silos with canisters Loading silos with canisters containing vitrified high‑level containing vitrified high‑level waste in UK, each disc on waste in UK, each disc on the floor covers a silo the floor covers a silo holding ten canisters holding ten canisters


USA SNF/HLW DisposalUSA SNF/HLW Disposal

NWPA and amended NWPA set up fee program for NWPA and amended NWPA set up fee program for SNF and HLW disposal processSNF and HLW disposal process

Since 1987, focus has been on Yucca Mountain, NVSince 1987, focus has been on Yucca Mountain, NV NRC regulates - EPA sets offsite standardsNRC regulates - EPA sets offsite standards DOE signed contracts with utilities to start taking SNF DOE signed contracts with utilities to start taking SNF

by January 1998by January 1998 did not occurdid not occur Utilities filed lawsuits for Billions Utilities filed lawsuits for Billions

NWPA = Nuclear Waste Policy ActNWPA = Nuclear Waste Policy Act


Yucca Mountain Nevada USAYucca Mountain Nevada USA


NorthNorthPortalPortal



HLW Disposal CannistersHLW Disposal Cannisters


What are the Economics?What are the Economics?

U.S. Program: fee - “tax” - on nuclear electricity U.S. Program: fee - “tax” - on nuclear electricity $17 B in fees collected, $7 B spent$17 B in fees collected, $7 B spent No waste buried yetNo waste buried yet $56 B current estimated cost$56 B current estimated cost

Europe: $10 B (each) at La Hague and SellafieldEurope: $10 B (each) at La Hague and Sellafield ““rumored” to be economic at $500-600/kg HMrumored” to be economic at $500-600/kg HM new contracts at $1,000-1,200/kg HMnew contracts at $1,000-1,200/kg HM Once charged circa $1,800-2,000/kg HMOnce charged circa $1,800-2,000/kg HM

Numbers large but dwarfed by other nuclear costsNumbers large but dwarfed by other nuclear costs


Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP)Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP)

Transuranic Waste DisposalTransuranic Waste Disposal


Typical for the operation of a 1000 MWe nuclear power reactorTypical for the operation of a 1000 MWe nuclear power reactor

MiningMining 22,400 tonnes of 1% uranium ore 22,400 tonnes of 1% uranium ore

MillingMilling 280 tonnes of uranium oxide280 tonnes of uranium oxide

concentrate (224 t U)concentrate (224 t U)

ConversionConversion 331 tonnes UF331 tonnes UF66 (with 224 t U) (with 224 t U)

EnrichmentEnrichment 35 tonnes UF35 tonnes UF66 (with 24 t enriched U, (with 24 t enriched U,

balance is tails) balance is tails)

Fuel FabricationFuel Fabrication 27 tonnes UO27 tonnes UO22 (with 24 t enriched U) (with 24 t enriched U)

Reactor OperationReactor Operation 7,000 million kWh of electricity 7,000 million kWh of electricity

Spent FuelSpent Fuel 27 tonnes containing 240kg plutonium,27 tonnes containing 240kg plutonium,

23 t uranium (0.8% U-235), 720kg fission23 t uranium (0.8% U-235), 720kg fission

products, also transuranicsproducts, also transuranics

Material Balance in theMaterial Balance in theNuclear Fuel CycleNuclear Fuel Cycle


The Uranium InstituteThe Uranium Institutehttp://www.uilondon.orghttp://www.uilondon.org

The Uranium Information CentreThe Uranium Information Centrehttp://www.uic.com.auhttp://www.uic.com.au

Institute for Energy and Environmental ResearchInstitute for Energy and Environmental Researchhttp://www.ieer.orghttp://www.ieer.org

Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (HHS)Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (HHS)http://www.atsdr.cdc.govhttp://www.atsdr.cdc.gov

Australian Academy of ScienceAustralian Academy of Sciencehttp://www.science.org.auhttp://www.science.org.au

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information


World Information Service on Energy (WISE Uranium Project)World Information Service on Energy (WISE Uranium Project)http://www.antenna.nl/~wise/uranium/http://www.antenna.nl/~wise/uranium/

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/publications/earthsci/ugem.html http://www.iaea.or.at/worldatom/publications/earthsci/ugem.html

US DOE Environmental ManagementUS DOE Environmental Managementhttp://www.em.doe.gov/idb96/sect5.htmlhttp://www.em.doe.gov/idb96/sect5.html

USDOE Energy Information AdministrationUSDOE Energy Information Administrationhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/uia/http://www.eia.doe.gov/cneaf/nuclear/uia/

USNRCUSNRCwww.nrc.govwww.nrc.gov

Where to Get More InformationWhere to Get More Information

4/2003 rev 2 i.4.9j – slide 1 of 18 session i.4.9j part i review of fundamentals module 4sources...

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