Evaluation of Site-Generated Radioactive Waste Treatment and Disposal Methods for the Yucca Mountain Repository

摘要

This study identifies the sources of radioactive wastes that may be generated at the proposed high level waste (HLW) repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, estimates the waste quantities and characteristics, compares various technologies that are available for waste treatment and disposal, and develops recommended concepts for site-generated waste treatment and disposal. The scope of this study is limited to the repository operations during the emplacement phase, in which 70,000 MTU of high-level waste will be received and emplaced at the proposed repository. The evaluations consider all radioactive wastes generated during normal operations in surface and underground facilities. Wastes generated as a result of accidents are not addressed because accidents that could result in large quantities of radioactive waste are expected to occur very infrequently so that temporary, portable systems could be used for cleanup, if necessary. The results of this study can be used to develop more definitive plans for managing the site-generated wastes and to serve as a basis for the design of associated facilities at the proposed repository. 8 refs., 1 tab.