GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL OF HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

摘要

A variety of methods has been considered for the disposal of radioactive waste. There is now international consensus that high level radioactive waste can be disposed of in repositories engineered in geological formations. Different formations have been considered, ranging from hard crystalline rocks to plastic clays. Irrespective of the medium to be used, the disposal system will consist of a multibarrier system comprising natural (host rock) and engineered barriers. The paper gives the overview of the current concepts of deep underground disposal of high level radioactive waste including radiation protection principles and safety criteria for disposal, characteristics of spent fuel and vitrified high level radioactive waste to be disposed of, design concepts for deep geological repositories, general approach and methodology of performance and safety assessment of the repositories. The paper covers also socio-political issues in relation to disposal, discusses the role of public understanding and acceptance, and considers the interface between nuclear safeguards and waste disposal, and provides the estimates of the disposal cost.