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

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6.178<br />

6.2.3 Application <strong>of</strong> Performance Standards<br />

The nine proposed waste disposal concepts are examined in this section with respect to<br />

the performance standards advanced in Table 6.2.3. Results <strong>of</strong> this judgement are tabulated<br />

in Table 6.2.6. The subset <strong>of</strong> concepts meeting these standards are subjected to more<br />

detailed comparative analysis in Section 6.2.4.<br />

6.2.3.1 A Concept Should Comply with Radiological Standards Established for Other Fuel<br />

Cycle Facilities<br />

The unique characteristics <strong>of</strong> several <strong>of</strong> the proposed waste disposal concepts set them<br />

quite apart in design and operation from any existing fuel cycle facility. Thus, although<br />

it is appropriate to evaluate the concepts on current dose, risk and emission standards, it<br />

may be inappropriate to apply regulations relating to the means <strong>of</strong> achieving these stan-<br />

dards. It is not evident, based on available information, that any <strong>of</strong> the nine proposed<br />

concepts would necessarily fail to comply with dose, risk and emission standards; though it<br />

is likely that the radiological releases would vary among the concepts.<br />

6.2.3.2 Containment Should be Maintained During the Period Dominated by Fission<br />

Product Decay<br />

"Containment" is defined in the NRC proposed technical criteria for regulating geologic<br />

disposal <strong>of</strong> high-level radioactive waste as "keeping radioactive waste within a designated<br />

boundary" (Proposed 10 CFR Part 60). Because <strong>of</strong> inherent differences among the concepts,<br />

the following definitions <strong>of</strong> containment are used for this assessment:<br />

* Mined Repository--<strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the waste package (Proposed 10 CFR<br />

Part 60.)<br />

Very Deep Hole<br />

* Island Mined Repository <strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the package.<br />

Ice Sheet Disposal<br />

* Rock Melt--<strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the rock-waste matrix, and in the intended<br />

location.<br />

* Subseabed Disposal--<strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the package (penetrometer case or<br />

overpack).<br />

* Well Injection--Dilute Acid: <strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the intended region <strong>of</strong><br />

the host formation<br />

Shale-Grout: <strong>Waste</strong> is contained within the grout matrix, and in<br />

the intended region <strong>of</strong> the host formation.<br />

* Transmutation--None, the containment concept is not applicable.<br />

* Space--<strong>Waste</strong> is contained within its package within the predetermined heliocentric<br />

orbit.<br />

Based on these definitions <strong>of</strong> containment, engineering judgement indicates that con-<br />

tainment for several hundred years could likely be achieved using the mined repository, very

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