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

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6.2.3.4 The Concept Should be Amenable to Development Within a Reasonable Period of Time
Such That Implementation is Not Left to Future Generations
Necessary implementation time(a) for the ice sheet concept is estimated to be 30 years
or greater (Section 6.1.5) primarily because of the substantial uncertainties which remain
to be resolved regarding ice sheet stability, structure, and dynamics and understanding of
waste-ice interaction. A minimum time of 20 years is also projected for transmutation (Sec-
tion 6.1.7); it is unlikely that this concept could be implemented prior to the turn of the
century given the need to resolve theoretical uncertainties, and establish siting criteria;
and the time required for pilot plant development, construction, and testing, and construc-
tion of commercial-scale facilities.
Development time has not been projected for the well injection concept. Although the
engineering requirements for this concept do not appear difficult, requirements for improved
site characterization techniques, performance assessment methods and monitoring technology
appear to be formidable. However it may be possible to implement this concept within
20 years.
The remaining 20 years of this century would appear to be adequate for implementation
of any of the remaining concepts, if it is assumed that very deep holes may be less than
10,000 m deep.
In sumnary, it appears that all concepts with the exception of ice sheet and transmuta-
tion qualify on this standard of judgement.
6.2.3.5 Implementation of a Concept Should Not Require Scientific Breakthroughs
Several concepts would require significant extension of existing technology to achieve
satisfactory implementation; but none of the concepts appear to require scientific break-
throughs. Transmutation might be most efficiently accomplished in a fusion reactor, which
would require a scientific breakthrough.
6.2.3.6 Capabilities for Assessing the Performance of a Concept Must Be Available Prior to
Committing Major R&D Programs to Its Development
The need for substantial additional performance assessment capabilities appears to
exist for all concepts. While the mined repository will require refinement of performance
assessment capabilities, it is believed that this will be achieved in the near future.
Manned inspection of the emplacement location is currently being proposed by the NRC. If
this should be applied to all concepts, it would eliminate subseabed, very deep hole, ice
sheet, well injection, space, and probably rock melt concepts.
All concepts, with the exception of transmutation, space, and subseabed require further
development of remote sensing capability for assessment of the characteristics of the poten-
tial host media. In addition, the well injection and rock melt concepts would require
(a) All estimates of time assume that the concept discussed receives priority for funding.