23.04.2013 Views

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

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

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

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

6.89<br />

deployment <strong>of</strong> the concept design would quickly render the waste essentially irretrievable.<br />

Recovery is also considered nearly impossible. Retrievability for the other two emplacement<br />

concepts is indicated in the discussions above.<br />

6.1.5.3 Status <strong>of</strong> Technical Development and R&D Needs<br />

Present State <strong>of</strong> Development<br />

Ice sheet disposal is in the conceptual stage <strong>of</strong> development and an extensive R&D pro-<br />

gram would be required to implement an operational disposal system (EPA 1979 and DOE 1979).<br />

Current technology appears adequate for initial waste canister emplacement using the con-<br />

cepts described. Necessary transportation and logistics support systems could be made avail-<br />

able with additional R&D. The capability <strong>of</strong> ice sheets to contain radioactive waste for long<br />

periods <strong>of</strong> time is at present only speculative, because <strong>of</strong> limited knowledge <strong>of</strong> ice sheet<br />

stability and physical properties. Verification <strong>of</strong> theories that support ice sheet disposal<br />

would require many years <strong>of</strong> extensive new data collection and evaluation.<br />

Technological Issues to be Resolved<br />

Key technical issues that would have to be resolved for development <strong>of</strong> the ice sheet dis-<br />

posal concept include:<br />

Choice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Waste</strong> Form<br />

* Behavior <strong>of</strong> glass or other waste forms under polar conditions<br />

* Ability <strong>of</strong> container to withstand mechanical forces.<br />

Design <strong>of</strong> Shipping System for Polar Seas<br />

* Extremes <strong>of</strong> weather and environmental conditions expected<br />

* Debarkation port design<br />

* Ship design<br />

* Cask design<br />

* Recovery system for cask lost at sea.<br />

Design <strong>of</strong> Over-Ice Transport<br />

* Crevasse detector<br />

* Navigational aids<br />

* Ability to traverse surface irregularities, snow dunes, and steep ice slopes<br />

* Maintenance <strong>of</strong> road systems<br />

* Recovery system for lost casks.<br />

Design <strong>of</strong> Monitoring for Emplaced <strong>Waste</strong><br />

* Location, integrity, and movement <strong>of</strong> emplaced canisters

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!