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

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6.3<br />

Concept Summary. The concept summary provided for each alternative contains a general<br />

discussion <strong>of</strong> the disposal concept, highlights significant technical aspects <strong>of</strong> the concept,<br />

and establishes a basis for specific system and facility descriptions, technology status, and<br />

environmental impact analyses.<br />

System and Facility Description. In this section, the systems and facilities associated<br />

with a reference repository system design for each alternative disposal concept are des-<br />

cribed. Each description begins with a discussion <strong>of</strong> the fuel-cycle options reflected in the<br />

reference system design. The options and the selections made are illustrated by a standard<br />

diagram.<br />

The waste-type compatibility for each concept is discussed, providing a basis for de-<br />

fining waste types that can and cannot be accepted by the disposal system. This section also<br />

indicates if the total fuel cycle involves chemical processing and if there is a need for a<br />

mined geologic repository (or other additional facility) to accept some portion <strong>of</strong> the waste.<br />

The waste management system descriptions cover predisposal treatment and packaging (with<br />

reference to Chapter 4), surface facilities and equipment, and transportation systems. These<br />

descriptions vary substantially because <strong>of</strong> differences among the alternatives, e.g., space<br />

disposal compared to transmutation. System descriptions provide a basis for subsequent dis-<br />

cussion <strong>of</strong> technology status and R&D requirements, potential environmental impacts, and cost<br />

analysis.<br />

Status <strong>of</strong> Technical Development and R&D Needs. This section provides an insight into the<br />

technical status and R&D needs associated with the development <strong>of</strong> each disposal option. The<br />

discussions are based on the most current reports contained in the large body <strong>of</strong> references<br />

available for disposal options. Emphasis was placed on documents prepared by organizations<br />

that have played a definitive role in the development or evaluation <strong>of</strong> specific options.<br />

Each disposal option is at a different stage <strong>of</strong> development ranging from ice sheet and<br />

rock melt, which are in only the early conceptual stage, to well injection, which has been<br />

used for the disposal <strong>of</strong> remotely handled waste at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Wide<br />

disparity in the states <strong>of</strong> development, however, should not be used to connote the degree <strong>of</strong><br />

difficulty anticipated in deploying a particular option.<br />

Current technological issues unique to each option are identified. These issues depend<br />

on the state <strong>of</strong> development. As knowledge is accumulated and refined on a specific concept<br />

to resolve technical issues, it may <strong>of</strong>ten reveal additional technological concerns to be re-<br />

solved.<br />

Specific research and development requirements ascribed to each disposal option are those<br />

contained in references provided by organizations involved in the development or evaluation<br />

<strong>of</strong> the particular disposal option. The requirements identified are based on technological<br />

issues and programmatic needs.<br />

Estimates for implementation time and research and development costs depend on the de-<br />

gree <strong>of</strong> planning information available for the disposal concept. For example: no estimates

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