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

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Response<br />

391<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL-CONCEPTS<br />

The use <strong>of</strong> uplift measurement in the area <strong>of</strong> grout injection is currently being used<br />

at ORNL to monitor performance.<br />

Before the well injection concept could be implemented for HLW it would be essential<br />

that the total R&D program be supported by a data base that would cover all the components<br />

affecting performance <strong>of</strong> the disposal system. The effects <strong>of</strong> local stresses upon uplift<br />

resulting from well injection would likely be further examined.<br />

Draft p. 3.8.13<br />

Issue<br />

It is indicated in the third sentence that the waste (emplaced by means <strong>of</strong> the reverse<br />

well option) is subject to rather simple unauthorized retrieval, however, Table 1.8 on p.<br />

1.34 accords the reverse well option a 5 rating on susceptibility to short-term encroach-<br />

ment. The assessment <strong>of</strong> the withdrawal should be made more quantitative and the apparent<br />

discrepancy in characterization <strong>of</strong> the option should be clarified. (58)<br />

Response<br />

A discussion <strong>of</strong> retrievability is presented in the final Section 6.1.6.2. It provides<br />

a discussion <strong>of</strong> the retrievability <strong>of</strong> wastes and makes note <strong>of</strong> the fact (for liquid injec-<br />

tion) that certain isotopes, for example 137 Cs, will likely remain in solution while<br />

others may be fixed by the host rock. Section 6.1.6.7 provides a discussion <strong>of</strong> safeguards<br />

issues important to the concept. Section 6.2 provides a comparative assessment <strong>of</strong> the al-<br />

ternatives in which corrective action, safeguards and future human intrusion, along with<br />

other factors are considered. <strong>Waste</strong>s that would be emplaced by well injection are consi-<br />

dered irretrievable.<br />

Draft-p. 3.8.13<br />

Issue<br />

In the next sentence (at the top <strong>of</strong> page 3.8.13) the following is stated as a<br />

disadvantage <strong>of</strong> the concepts:<br />

"The waste may progressively disperse and diffuse throughout the permeable host<br />

rock and eventually encompass a large area (volume?) although at a lower concen-<br />

tration and after decay has occurred."<br />

This would be a good place to pick up and expand upon this 'equilibrium fringe release'<br />

concept. In the longer term what is needed is isolation and that reducing concentration is<br />

the ultimate in isolation. Thus this is an advantage for these concepts, not a<br />

disadvantage. (154)

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