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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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Response<br />

337<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

The assumption that post-sealing environmental effects would be the same for the rock<br />

melt process as for the mined repository was re-assessed subsequent to the issue <strong>of</strong> the<br />

draft Statement and the conclusions are presented in final Sections 6.1.2.5 and 6.2. The<br />

current DOE position is that there are substantially more uncertainties relating to a per-<br />

formance assessment capability for rock melt and that the expected performance is less than<br />

for a mined repository, especially during the period when the waste-rock mixture is molten.<br />

Subsequent to solidification, the environmental effects are dependent on factors such as the<br />

immobility <strong>of</strong> the resultant waste forms and the hydrologic regimes in existance at the time.<br />

Because there is a lack <strong>of</strong> multiple barriers, the concept is not consistent with DOE policy.<br />

More refined assessments will be made as the rock melting concept is developed. Many poten-<br />

tial environmental effects will be sensitive to individual site parameters.<br />

Draft p. 3.4.18<br />

Issue<br />

The reasons for post-operational monitoring <strong>of</strong> melt growth, etc. for prolonged periods<br />

should be explained along with any response that might be made to the information gained.<br />

(58)<br />

Response<br />

Post-operational measurements will be carried out during R&D phase to validate calcula-<br />

tional results obtained from modeling. Post operational monitoring following an actual<br />

full-scale application would be an activity that would maintain confidence and also increase<br />

knowledge <strong>of</strong> the disposal operation. The information would be useful in building similiar<br />

facilities and, in case <strong>of</strong> unplanned events, to provide guidance to the nature and magnitude<br />

<strong>of</strong> the problem. The technically conservative approach suggests that post emplacement moni-<br />

toring should be desirable in any disposal option until such time as it is operating satis-<br />

factorily and the lack <strong>of</strong> any unanticipated events is verified.<br />

Issue<br />

Information on the possible failure <strong>of</strong> the cooling system, mitigative actions, and<br />

environmental impacts should be provided. (208-NRC)<br />

Response<br />

Information that is available has been presented in Section 6.1.2.2, 6.1.2.3,<br />

and 6.1.2.4 <strong>of</strong> the final Statement. Because the sections are relatively lengthy, no<br />

detailed answers are provided here, but the commenter is referred to those sections.

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