DEMONSTRATING THE SAFETY OF GEOLOGICAL DISPOSAL FACILITIES

摘要

The demonstration of the safety of a geological disposal facility is a long lasting and incremental process; it starts at the early conceptual planning phase and may continue until the permanent closure of the facility. The safety case and the related regulatory review have a central role in the demonstration of safety. The safety case should be a living document that is updated and reviewed regularly as the disposal programme proceeds and research data increase. The long term safety case involves major uncertainties mainly related to the long term evolution of the disposal system. Absolute proof of the long term safety of geological disposal is not possible but the judgement should be based on the concepts of reasonable assurance and multiple lines of evidence. The robust design of the disposal system ensures that safety is not seriously jeopardized even if pessimistic scenarios are realized.