NUMO-RMS: A Practical Requirements Management System for the Long-Term Management of the Deep Geological Disposal Project

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyoshi Ueda ◽  
Satoru Suzuki ◽  
Katsuhiko Ishiguro ◽  
Kiyoshi Oyamada ◽  
Shoko Yashio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Management System ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Development Work ◽  
Requirements Management ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Case Research ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal

NUMO (Nuclear Waste Management Organization of Japan) has the responsibility for implementing deep geological disposal of high-level (HLW) and transuranic (TRU) radioactive waste from the Japanese nuclear programme. A formal Requirements Management System (RMS) is planned to efficiently and effectively support the computerised implementation of the management strategy and the methodology required to drive the step-wise siting processes, and the following repository operational phase. The RMS will help in the comprehensive management of the decision-making processes in the geological disposal project, in change management as the disposal system is optimised, in driving projects such as the R&D programme efficiently, and in maintaining structured records regarding past decisions, all of which lead to soundness of the project in terms of long-term continuity. The system is planned to have information handling and management functions using a database that includes the decisions/requirements in the programme under consideration, the way in which these are structured in terms of the decision-making process and other associated information. A two-year development programme is underway to develop and enhance an existing trial RMS to a practical system. Functions for change management, history management and association with the external timeline management system are being implemented in the system development work. The database format is being improved to accommodate the requirements management data relating to the facility design and to safety assessment of the deep geological repository. This paper will present an outline of the development work with examples to demonstrate the system’s practicality. In parallel with the system/database developments, a case research of the use of requirements management in radioactive waste disposal projects was undertaken to identify key issues in the development of an RMS for radioactive waste disposal and specify a number of use cases to guide the overall development of the system. The findings of the case research will also be shown in the paper to provide general information on the application of an RMS in a radioactive waste disposal programme, the difficulties of successful implementation and suggestions on how these difficulties can be overcome.

Evolution of the Cavern-Extended Storage (CES) Concept for Flexible Management of HLW

2003 ◽  
Vol 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian G. McKinley ◽  
Fiona B. Neall ◽  
Paul A. Smith ◽  
Julia M. West ◽  
Hideki Kawamura
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Public Acceptance ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Institutional Control ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal ◽  
Extended Surface ◽  
Flexible Management

ABSTRACTThe search for greater public acceptance for radioactive waste disposal has meant that repository planning increasingly includes monitoring, institutional control and flexibility with respect to retrieval and reversability. However, the fundamental repository designs are generally unchanged. This paper describes an alternative – the Cavern Extended Storage concept – which aims to incorporate requirements for flexibility and choice for future generations into a deep geological disposal concept that provides a much safer option than extended surface storage.

Issues in the Timing of High Level Waste Disposal: An International Perspective

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stan Gordelier ◽  
Pa´l Kova´cs
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Industry ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
The Public ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal ◽  
High Level

The world is facing energy difficulties for the future, in terms of security of supply and climate change issues. Nuclear power is virtually carbon free and it contributes to energy security, being a quasi-domestic source. Whilst it cannot provide a complete answer to these challenges, it is certainly capable of providing a significant component of the answer. However, nuclear power remains controversial. In order to gain public acceptance, it is widely recognised that a number of key issues need to be addressed, amongst which is resolution of the high-level radioactive waste (HLW) (including spent fuel) disposal issue. This is an important issue for all countries with an existing nuclear programme, whether or not it is intended that nuclear power should be phased out or expanded — the waste already exists and must be managed in any event. It is equally important for countries planning a new nuclear power programme where none has previously existed. Since nuclear power was first developed over fifty years ago, HLW arisings have been stored as an interim measure. It is widely believed by experts (though not by many opponents of the nuclear industry, nor by the public) that deep geological disposal, after a reasonable cooling time in interim storage, is technically feasible and constitutes a safe option [1] at an acceptable cost. The total volume of HLW from nuclear reactors is relatively small. A key issue, however, is the time-scale for developing such a final disposal solution. Considerations of security and inter-generational equity suggest that geological disposal should be implemented as soon as possible irrespective of whether or not new arisings are created. The question of managing HLW is not necessarily related to the issue of building new nuclear power stations. However, many opponents argue that there has been insufficient demonstration of the long-term safety of deep geological disposal. The same opponents also argue that there should be a moratorium on building new nuclear power plants (NPPs) until the issue of long-term management of HLW is resolved. These arguments have a powerful influence on public opinion towards both the construction of a waste repository and the building of new NPPs. The intent of this paper (developed from the current OECD NEA study on “Timing of High Level Waste Disposal”) is to identify and discuss some of the factors influencing the timing of the implementation of a HLW disposal strategy and to demonstrate to decision makers how these factors are affecting country strategies, based on current experience. Determining an optimum timescale of HLW disposal may be affected by a wide range of factors. The study examines how social acceptability, technical soundness, environmental responsibility and economic feasibility impact on the timing of HLW disposal and can be balanced in a national radioactive waste management strategy taking the social, political and economic environment into account. There is clear evidence that significant fractions of the public still have serious misconceptions with respect to the issues surrounding nuclear waste. The nuclear industry, together with governments in those countries who would like a component of nuclear power in their energy mix, has a responsibility for and a significant challenge in presenting its case to the public.

Current Status of the Japanese Geological Repository Programme

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazumi Kitayama
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Project Management ◽  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Geological Repository ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal ◽  
Site Characterisation

The programme for disposal of radioactive waste in Japan is now moving ahead on a number of fronts. On the regulatory side, responsibility for TRU waste disposal has been assigned to NUMO and guidelines for the safety goals for disposal of LLW have been published. NUMO, as the implementer for the deep geological disposal programme, has been developing the special tools for project management that are needed as a result of the decision to adopt a volunteering approach to siting. NUMO is also building up the technical infrastructure for flexible tailoring of site characterisation, repository design and the associated safety assessment to the conditions found in any volunteer site. This work requires openness and transparency in decision-making but, as several sites may need to be investigated in parallel, particular emphasis is placed on operational practicality.

scholarly journals Source Term Development For Tritium at the Sheffield Disposal Site

1984 ◽  
Vol 44 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. R. Mackenzie ◽  
R. E. Barletta ◽  
J. F. Smalley ◽  
C. R. Kempf ◽  
R. E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Source Term ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Disposal Site ◽  
Waste Disposal Site ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
Low Level Radioactive Waste

AbstractThe Sheffield low-level radioactive waste disposal site, which ceased operation in 1978, has been the focus of modeling efforts by the NRC for the purpose of predicting long-term site behavior. To provide the NRC with information required for its modeling effort, a study to define the source term for tritium in eight trenches at the Sheffield site has been undertaken. Tritium is of special interest since significant concentrations of the isotope have been found in groundwater samples taken at the site and at locations outside the original site boundary. Previous estimates of tritium site inventory at Sheffield are in wide disagreement. In this study, the tritium inventory in the eight trenches was estimated by reviewing the radioactive shipping records (RSRs) for waste buried in these trenches. It has been found that the tritium shipped for burial at the site was probably higher than previously estimated. In the eight trenches surveyed, which amount to roughly one half the total volume and activity buried at Sheffield, approximately 2350 Ci of tritium from non-fuel cycle sources were identified.

Impact of microbial activity on the radioactive waste disposal: long term prediction of biocorrosion processes

2014 ◽  
Vol 97 ◽  
pp. 162-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Libert ◽  
Marta Kerber Schütz ◽  
Loïc Esnault ◽  
Damien Féron ◽  
Olivier Bildstein
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Microbial Activity ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
Term Prediction ◽  
Long Term Prediction

scholarly journals A tentative useful-for-all definition of “safety” in the context of radioactive waste disposal

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 195-196
Author(s):  
Stephan Hotzel
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Radioactive Waste Disposal ◽  
National Programmes ◽  
Geological Repository ◽  
Safety Case ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract. Most, if not all, national programmes for radioactive waste management pledge their overall commitment to safety or – in the case of radioactive waste disposal – to long-term safety. Therefore, it may be somewhat surprising to find that the term “safety” is hardly defined in these programs. The same holds for some of the core international guidance literature on the deep geological repository (DGR) “safety case” concept. With respect to stakeholder concern over the safety of geological disposal, it seems, however, advisable to seek common ground in the understanding of the idea of “safety”. Hotzel and Schröder (2018) reviewed the most relevant international guidance literature for explicitly or implicitly provided definitions of “safety” in the context of radioactive waste disposal. Based on this study – and on the finding that a practical, useful-for-all definition of “safety” is not provided in the scanned literature – they developed a tentative dictionary-style definition of “safety” that is suitable for everyday use in the DGR context. In the current contribution I embed, expand and update the 2018 study at both ends: As an enhanced introduction to the 2018 study, I lay out a basic concept of “sound” glossary definitions, namely glossary definitions being both practical and correct (and what this means). The thesis is that sound glossary definitions can facilitate mutual understanding between different stakeholder groups. As an update to the actual proposal for the definition of “safety” from the Hotzel and Schröder (2018) paper, that was presented and discussed at the Waste Management Conference 2018, I review the latest international guidance literature and the stakeholder concerns raised at the 2018 conference in order to present a revised definition. As a seed of discussion, it may help to eventually expose possible mismatches in the base assumptions of safety experts and other stakeholders and thereby support meaningful communication.

scholarly journals Assessment of Permian Zubers as the Host Rock for Deep Geological Disposal

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 2239
Author(s):  
Leszek Lankof
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Rock Salt ◽  
Host Rock ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
Lithostratigraphic Units ◽  
Deep Geological Disposal

Together with renewable energy sources, nuclear power represents an important contribution to a sustainable energy mix in many countries and has an important impact on sustainable development. Nuclear energy production is also a source of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuel (SNF), which require special concern. Disposal in deep geological formations is one of the solutions for the long-term management of HLW and SNF. It requires the development of a concept ensuring long-term safe isolation of waste and its validation applying the safety case methodology, which is a formal compilation of evidence, analyses and arguments that quantify and justify a claim that the repository will be safe. The results of laboratory testing of a potential repository host rock are an important component of the evidence that helps in the safety assessment of the deep geological disposal concept. This paper presents results of research focused on the physical, geomechanical and sorption properties of the Brown and Red Zuber unit rocks from the Kłodawa Salt Mine in Poland, which together with rock salt are an important component of Polish salt domes. The Brown and Red Zubers are typical evaporite lithostratigraphic units for the Polish part of the Zechstein Basin. They consist of halite (15–85%) and water-insoluble minerals, such as anhydrite, clay minerals, carbonates, quartz and feldspar, which occurred in varying proportions in the tested samples. The properties of the zuber rocks have been compared with those of rock salt, which is considered a suitable host rock for deep geological disposal of radioactive waste.

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