Yucca Mountain ProjectYucca Mountain Project

Alparslan Gurbuz

Types of Waste To Be StoredTypes of Waste To Be Stored

SNF - spent nuclear fuel SNF - spent nuclear fuel from nuclear reactors from nuclear reactors that hasn’t been that hasn’t been reprocessedreprocessed

HLW - high-level HLW - high-level radioactive waste radioactive waste formed when formed when reprocessing spent fuelreprocessing spent fuel

Other radioactive waste: Other radioactive waste: – greater-than-class-C greater-than-class-C

waste - highly waste - highly radioactive low-level radioactive low-level wastewaste

– Plutonium-239 Plutonium-239 resulting from the resulting from the dismantlement of dismantlement of nuclear weaponsnuclear weapons

http://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/pools.html

90%: Commercial Nuclear Power Plants90%: Commercial Nuclear Power Plants10%: Government Defense Programs10%: Government Defense Programs

http://www.epa.gov/radiation/yucca/about.htm

Half-lives range from 30 years, such as Half-lives range from 30 years, such as Cesium, to 24,000 years, such as Cesium, to 24,000 years, such as PlutoniumPlutonium

SNF Cooling Pool

The Formation of The Formation of SNF Nuclear Waste:SNF Nuclear Waste:

Nuclear FissionNuclear Fission1.1. A Uranium atom absorbs a neutron.A Uranium atom absorbs a neutron.2.2. The atom becomes unstable and divides.The atom becomes unstable and divides.3.3. The division forms two smaller atoms, and The division forms two smaller atoms, and

releases up to three neutrons along with energy. releases up to three neutrons along with energy. 4.4. The energy is absorbed by water as heat and The energy is absorbed by water as heat and

used to generate electricity. used to generate electricity. 5.5. The neutrons repeat this process of nuclear The neutrons repeat this process of nuclear

fission by splitting up other Uranium atoms, fission by splitting up other Uranium atoms, forming a chain of reaction. forming a chain of reaction.

The controlled process is a self-sustaining chain of The controlled process is a self-sustaining chain of reaction. reaction.

Atom Splitting Chain of ReactionAtom Splitting Chain of Reaction

The Problem of WasteThe Problem of Waste Fission fragments - the divided atoms that can no longer provide Fission fragments - the divided atoms that can no longer provide

economically enough energy and continue the chain of reaction economically enough energy and continue the chain of reaction (waste)(waste)

Every three to four Every three to four years, the fuel rods that years, the fuel rods that hold Uranium pellets are hold Uranium pellets are removed after about removed after about 25% of the atoms have 25% of the atoms have undergone nuclear undergone nuclear fission. They are fission. They are intensely radioactive intensely radioactive because they still emit because they still emit considerable amounts of considerable amounts of energy as they decay.energy as they decay.

They are then removed, They are then removed, cooled in pools, and cooled in pools, and placed in temporary placed in temporary concrete tanks with concrete tanks with steel outlines. steel outlines.

www.chm.bris.ac.uk/ motm/uf6/uf6c.htmUS Department Of Energy Transportation FAQs

The Problem of WasteThe Problem of Waste (cont’d)(cont’d) To contain the To contain the

radiation, the radiation, the material must material must be held in be held in impenetrable impenetrable containers containers such as the such as the nuclear nuclear reactors’ tanks reactors’ tanks during the during the fission process fission process and afterwards and afterwards when it is in when it is in the form of the form of waste. waste.

Since these pools are filling up, the Since these pools are filling up, the waste must be transported to a waste must be transported to a government facility that provides government facility that provides permanent underground storage for permanent underground storage for radioactive waste.radioactive waste.

www.chm.bris.ac.uk/ motm/uf6/uf6c.htm

www.yuccamountain.org/transport.htm

Yucca Mountain TimelineYucca Mountain Timeline 1952 Atomic Energy Act- allowed private 1952 Atomic Energy Act- allowed private

ownership of nuclear materials, but despite ownership of nuclear materials, but despite restrictions could control to ensure public health restrictions could control to ensure public health and safety, which includes final disposaland safety, which includes final disposal

1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act- Began a policy for 1982 Nuclear Waste Policy Act- Began a policy for a permanent geological SNF and HLW repository by a permanent geological SNF and HLW repository by the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management of DOEManagement of DOE

1987 Amended NWPA- Directed DOE to study the 1987 Amended NWPA- Directed DOE to study the Yucca Mountain environment for the repository siteYucca Mountain environment for the repository site

1992 Energy Policy Act- Assigned Environmental 1992 Energy Policy Act- Assigned Environmental Protection Agency to set standards for the Yucca Protection Agency to set standards for the Yucca Mountain siteMountain site

2002 July- The president and Congress approved 2002 July- The president and Congress approved the Yucca Mountain site for radioactive waste the Yucca Mountain site for radioactive waste disposaldisposal

? 2004- Nuclear Regulatory Committee may grant ? 2004- Nuclear Regulatory Committee may grant the license needed to dispose the nuclear waste at the license needed to dispose the nuclear waste at the first radioactive waste repository site of the USthe first radioactive waste repository site of the US

? 2010- Earliest expected year to commence waste ? 2010- Earliest expected year to commence waste disposaldisposal

EPA Safety StandardsEPA Safety Standards

““... [EPA shall] promulgate, by rule, public health ... [EPA shall] promulgate, by rule, public health and safety standards for protection of the public and safety standards for protection of the public from from releases of radioactive materials stored or disposed releases of radioactive materials stored or disposed of in the repository at the Yucca Mountain site. Such of in the repository at the Yucca Mountain site. Such standards shall prescribe the maximum annual standards shall prescribe the maximum annual effective dose equivalent to individual members of effective dose equivalent to individual members of the public from releases to the accessible the public from releases to the accessible environment from radioactive materials stored or environment from radioactive materials stored or disposed of in the repository.”disposed of in the repository.”

Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486)

Standards by EPA Standards by EPA

Maximum Annual Radiation DoseMaximum Annual Radiation Dose 15 millirem during pre-closure to someone in 15 millirem during pre-closure to someone in

vicinityvicinity 15 millirem during post-closure to someone in 15 millirem during post-closure to someone in

vicinity (to repository site)vicinity (to repository site)– 4.3% of natural average radiation dose4.3% of natural average radiation dose– Same dose as Waste Isolation Pilot Plant of New MexicoSame dose as Waste Isolation Pilot Plant of New Mexico– Considered harmlessConsidered harmless

4 millirem from groundwater radionuclides4 millirem from groundwater radionuclides 5 rem estimated radiation exposure to Yucca 5 rem estimated radiation exposure to Yucca

Mountain site workers Mountain site workers

Average annual radiation dose from natural sources: 350±50 millirem

Recommendation by the Secretary of Energy 6.1.2NRC Guidelines 40 CFR

““6. Is Yucca Mountain Scientifically and 6. Is Yucca Mountain Scientifically and Technically Suitable for Development of a Technically Suitable for Development of a Repository?Repository?

““The Department of Energy … concludes, The Department of Energy … concludes, as set out in 10 CFR part 963, that Yucca as set out in 10 CFR part 963, that Yucca Mountain is ‘Mountain is ‘likelylikely’ to meet the applicable ’ to meet the applicable radiation standards and thus to protect the radiation standards and thus to protect the health and safety of the public, including health and safety of the public, including those living in the immediate vicinity now those living in the immediate vicinity now and thousands of years from now.”and thousands of years from now.”(Underline emphasis on “likely”)(Underline emphasis on “likely”)

Recommendation by the Secretary of EnergyRegarding the Suitability of the Yucca Mountain Site

for a Repository Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982February 2002

The Repository Solution: The Repository Solution:

Yucca MountainYucca Mountain

““A deep geologic repository, such as Yucca A deep geologic repository, such as Yucca Mountain, is important for our national security and Mountain, is important for our national security and our energy future. Nuclear energy is the second our energy future. Nuclear energy is the second largest source of U.S. electricity generation and must largest source of U.S. electricity generation and must remain a major component of our national energy remain a major component of our national energy policy in the years to come.policy in the years to come.””

President Bush, February 15, 2002, Presidential Letter to Congress

““Proceeding with the repository program is Proceeding with the repository program is necessary to protect public safety, health, necessary to protect public safety, health, and the Nation's security because successful and the Nation's security because successful completion of this project would isolate in a completion of this project would isolate in a geologic repository at a remote location geologic repository at a remote location highly radioactive materials now scattered highly radioactive materials now scattered throughout the Nation. In addition, the throughout the Nation. In addition, the geologic repository would support our geologic repository would support our national security through disposal of nuclear national security through disposal of nuclear waste from our defense facilities. waste from our defense facilities.

NUCLEAR WASTE IN WAITING

Repository:Repository:

• 300 meters above the ground water300 meters above the ground water• 300 meters below the peak of the mountain300 meters below the peak of the mountain

LocationLocation

Why the Yucca Mountain site?Why the Yucca Mountain site?

Federally owned landFederally owned land Remote; smaller impactRemote; smaller impact Within boundaries of Within boundaries of

Department of Energy Department of Energy Nuclear Test Site in Nye Nuclear Test Site in Nye CountyCounty

Low resource valueLow resource value Ideally cheaper to Ideally cheaper to

dispose the waste in the dispose the waste in the Yucca site than at Yucca site than at current locations current locations throughout the nationthroughout the nation

Ron Oden, J. Kurowski, and Stephen Reich. A Closer Look at Yucca Mountain

Shipment Shipment RoutesRoutes

Currently stored at 131 Currently stored at 131 commercial reactor and commercial reactor and Energy Department sitesEnergy Department sites

Over a period of 30 years, Over a period of 30 years, the 77,000 tons of the 77,000 tons of radioactive waste will be radioactive waste will be transportedtransported

Every shipment will cover an Every shipment will cover an average distance of 2000 average distance of 2000 milesmiles

The waste will pass through The waste will pass through 734 counties, coming into a 734 counties, coming into a 3 mile proximity of 50 million 3 mile proximity of 50 million peoplepeople

It will move through many It will move through many large metropolitan cities large metropolitan cities ranging from a daily basis to ranging from a daily basis to every 7 hours (Salt Lake every 7 hours (Salt Lake City)City)

http://www.counterpunch.org/krieger0904.html

http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/maps2002/roadrail/index.htm

Transportation Routes Throughout The USTransportation Routes Throughout The US

Waste CasksWaste CasksThe nuclear waste will be stored within cask The nuclear waste will be stored within cask containers. For transportation, the waste will containers. For transportation, the waste will be contained in transportation casks and be contained in transportation casks and moved on trucks, trains, and barges. moved on trucks, trains, and barges.

Basic Structure:Basic Structure:•Basket holding the waste located inside a Basket holding the waste located inside a

cylindrical canistercylindrical canister• Impact limiters – shock absorbing caps at Impact limiters – shock absorbing caps at

each of the cylindrical canisterseach of the cylindrical canisterswww.yuccamountainfacts.org/

htmltonuke.php?filnavn=transportation.html

The transportation casks are designed to The transportation casks are designed to sustain containment efficiency after sustain containment efficiency after undergoing the following successive tests:undergoing the following successive tests:

•““a drop from 30 ft onto an unyielding surface;a drop from 30 ft onto an unyielding surface;•a drop from 6 ft onto a spike;a drop from 6 ft onto a spike;•a 30 minute fire at 1425°F; anda 30 minute fire at 1425°F; and•a 30 minute submersion in a 30 minute submersion in 3 ft3 ft of water of water””

Nuclear Regulatory Committee Cask Safety Guidelines

Storage Cask

Transportation Cask

Ron Oden, J. Kurowski, and Stephen Reich. A Closer Look at Yucca Mountain

Internal DesignInternal Design

Transportation Cask SafetyTransportation Cask Safety Maximum of 10 millirem per hour at 6 ft from caskMaximum of 10 millirem per hour at 6 ft from cask

– Cask truck and train driversCask truck and train drivers– Neighboring cars during traffic jamsNeighboring cars during traffic jams– Children (can develop cancers after only 1/10Children (can develop cancers after only 1/10thth of the of the

standard cancer causing exposure to radiation)standard cancer causing exposure to radiation) Cask durability testsCask durability tests

– Performed using computer simulationsPerformed using computer simulations Accident/Disaster AnalysisAccident/Disaster Analysis

– Performed using computer simulations with data dating Performed using computer simulations with data dating back to 1980sback to 1980s

– Transportation safety guidelines are from 1970s, do not Transportation safety guidelines are from 1970s, do not take terrorist attacks into considerationtake terrorist attacks into consideration

““We cannot easily de-couple the environmental from We cannot easily de-couple the environmental from safety considerations of transportation and try to study safety considerations of transportation and try to study them in laboratory isolation; there are interactive effects them in laboratory isolation; there are interactive effects among them.”among them.”

Najmedin Meshkati, Ph.D. February 23, 2002. Safety, Security and Environmental Research Needs for Transporting Nation’s High-Level Nuclear Waste to Yucca Mountain

http://www.yuccamountainfacts.org/htmltonuke.php?filnavn=transportation.html

“… “… [the Yucca Mountain site] is affected by unique [the Yucca Mountain site] is affected by unique local conditions that increase both the radiological local conditions that increase both the radiological risks and perceived risks of nuclear waste risks and perceived risks of nuclear waste transportation.transportation.

““DOE‘DOE‘ss 1986 1986 comparative analysis showed that comparative analysis showed that selection of Yucca Mountain would result in … the selection of Yucca Mountain would result in … the highest projected number of transportation accident highest projected number of transportation accident injuries and fatalities.”injuries and fatalities.”

Robert J. Halstead, Transportation Advisor to the State of Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects. http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/news2001/nn11099.htm

Transportation CompatibilityTransportation Compatibility

Casualty Estimation ComparisonsCasualty Estimation Comparisons One accident expected for every 300 shipmentsOne accident expected for every 300 shipments Estimated $6 billion per serious accidentEstimated $6 billion per serious accident Casualties per year from a severe accident (1.3’ Casualties per year from a severe accident (1.3’

diameter hole in transportation cask) range from 80 diameter hole in transportation cask) range from 80 (DOE) to between 450 and 2900 (State of Nevada)(DOE) to between 450 and 2900 (State of Nevada)– Untrained and unprepared health facilities along the Untrained and unprepared health facilities along the

routes in dealing with mass exposure to radioactive routes in dealing with mass exposure to radioactive wastewaste

– DOE uses favorable numbers:DOE uses favorable numbers: Radiation Potency Number is outdated, the required Radiation Potency Number is outdated, the required

radiation dose to develop fatal cancers is half that of radiation dose to develop fatal cancers is half that of National Academy of SciencesNational Academy of Sciences

Assumes waste to have cooled for 15 years before Assumes waste to have cooled for 15 years before transportation, but will only have cooled for 5 yearstransportation, but will only have cooled for 5 years

Estimations based on lowest emission of Cesium gas Estimations based on lowest emission of Cesium gas during accidentduring accident

*Proximity to schools and higher vulnerability to children *Proximity to schools and higher vulnerability to children not considerednot considered

Transportation Accident EffectsTransportation Accident Effects

“…“…if there is an accident (or foul play) if there is an accident (or foul play) resulting in the release of a hazardous resulting in the release of a hazardous substance from a cargo train, then the train substance from a cargo train, then the train operators are the first layer of people whose operators are the first layer of people whose safety and health are impacted. The next safety and health are impacted. The next immediate concern is for the local affected immediate concern is for the local affected public, “down wind” communities, as well as the public, “down wind” communities, as well as the short and long-term environmental effects of short and long-term environmental effects of such release on water, soil and air. Therefore, such release on water, soil and air. Therefore, as long as the transportation of nuclear waste as long as the transportation of nuclear waste and its potential release is concerned, the and its potential release is concerned, the safety (including security) and environmental safety (including security) and environmental considerations are mutually reinforcing areas considerations are mutually reinforcing areas and are two sides of a coin.”and are two sides of a coin.”

Najmedin Meshkati, Ph.D. Safety, Security and Environmental Research Needs for Transporting Nation’s High-Level Nuclear Waste to Yucca Mountain. February 23, 2002.

Yucca Mountain Site CharacterizationYucca Mountain Site Characterization Unknown possible climate changesUnknown possible climate changes Underground water tableUnderground water table

– Crystals are possible indication of “intermittent Crystals are possible indication of “intermittent upwelling of groundwater” upwelling of groundwater”

– Thousands of years later, cladding could be corroded to Thousands of years later, cladding could be corroded to let the water absorb radionuclides from the wastelet the water absorb radionuclides from the waste

– Only water source to residents of Amargosa ValleyOnly water source to residents of Amargosa Valley– Water source to largest Nevada dairy farm that supplies Water source to largest Nevada dairy farm that supplies

milk to 30 mil people on the west coastmilk to 30 mil people on the west coast Active magma pocket below the mountainActive magma pocket below the mountain EarthquakesEarthquakes

– 33rdrd most seismically active region of US most seismically active region of US– More than 600 earthquakes in past 25 yearsMore than 600 earthquakes in past 25 years– Last earthquake on July 14, 2002, magnitude of 4.4Last earthquake on July 14, 2002, magnitude of 4.4

Volcanic historyVolcanic history

http://www.counterpunch.org/krieger0904.htmlhttp://tms.physics.lsa.umich.edu/214/other/news/080799sci-yucca-mountain.html

The Underground Water TableThe Underground Water Table

The half-life of Plutonium is 24,000 years, meaning it will emit hazardous radiation for the next 240,000 years.

ProtestProtest

Disposing the waste seems cheaper and safe now, but the effects will prove otherwise.

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

ReferencesReferences

1.1. http://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/pools.htmlhttp://www.nrc.gov/waste/spent-fuel-storage/pools.html2.2. http://http://www.epa.gov/radiation/yucca/about.htmwww.epa.gov/radiation/yucca/about.htm3.3. US Department Of Energy Transportation FAQsUS Department Of Energy Transportation FAQs4.4. http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/uf6/uf6c.htm http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/motm/uf6/uf6c.htm 5.5. http://www.yuccamountain.org/transport.htm http://www.yuccamountain.org/transport.htm 6.6. Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486)Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-486)7.7. Recommendation by the Secretary of EnergyRecommendation by the Secretary of Energy Regarding the Regarding the

Suitability of the Yucca Mountain SiteSuitability of the Yucca Mountain Site for a Repository Under the for a Repository Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. . February 2002February 2002

8.8. President Bush.President Bush. Presidential Letter to CongressPresidential Letter to Congress. . February 15, February 15, 20022002

9.9. Ron Oden, J. Kurowski, and Stephen Reich. A Closer Look at Ron Oden, J. Kurowski, and Stephen Reich. A Closer Look at Yucca MountainYucca Mountain

10.10. http://www.counterpunch.org/krieger0904.htmlhttp://www.counterpunch.org/krieger0904.html

References cont’dReferences cont’d

11.11. http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/maps2002/roadrail/index.htmhttp://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/maps2002/roadrail/index.htm12.12. http://http://www.yuccamountainfacts.org/htmltonuke.php?www.yuccamountainfacts.org/htmltonuke.php?

filnavn=transportation.htmlfilnavn=transportation.html 13.13. Nuclear Regulatory Committee Cask Safety GuidelinesNuclear Regulatory Committee Cask Safety Guidelines14.14. http://www.yuccamountainfacts.org/htmltonuke.php?http://www.yuccamountainfacts.org/htmltonuke.php?

filnavn=transportation.htmlfilnavn=transportation.html 15.15. Najmedin Meshkati, Ph.D. February 23, 2002. Safety, Security Najmedin Meshkati, Ph.D. February 23, 2002. Safety, Security

and Environmental Research Needs for Transporting Nation’s and Environmental Research Needs for Transporting Nation’s High-Level Nuclear Waste to Yucca MountainHigh-Level Nuclear Waste to Yucca Mountain

16.16. Robert J. Halstead, Transportation Advisor to the State of Nevada Robert J. Halstead, Transportation Advisor to the State of Nevada Agency for Nuclear Projects. Agency for Nuclear Projects.

17.17. http://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/news2001/nn11099.htmhttp://www.state.nv.us/nucwaste/news2001/nn11099.htm 18.18. http://tms.physics.lsa.umich.edu/214/other/news/080799sci-http://tms.physics.lsa.umich.edu/214/other/news/080799sci-

yucca-mountain.htmlyucca-mountain.html