2009 Report to Government on National Research and

6. SOME R&D ISSUES
6.1 R&D carried out over the last few decades in the UK and other countries has
produced a substantial body of knowledge about the conditioning, packaging,
s<strong>to</strong>rage and geological disposal of higher activity wastes. This knowledge base is
sufficient <strong>to</strong> support the choice of long-term management methods for these
wastes. In particular, CoRWM is convinced that enough is currently known about
geological disposal <strong>to</strong> engender confidence that it is the right way forward.
However, there are still uncertainties that need <strong>to</strong> be addressed and knowledge
gaps that need <strong>to</strong> be filled before it can be implemented at a specific site in the
UK. Further information is also required as input <strong>to</strong> detailed decisions on the
conditioning, packaging and s<strong>to</strong>rage of the UK’s higher activity wastes. R&D over
the next few decades must focus on these uncertainties and gaps in knowledge.
6.2 During the course of its work in 2008 and <strong>2009</strong>, CoRWM became aware of a
number of specific <strong>to</strong>pics which it believes may require significant R&D. Details of
these <strong>to</strong>pics are given in Appendix A. In this section CoRWM highlights key
points arising from its examination of these <strong>to</strong>pics. The Committee’s
consideration of specific <strong>to</strong>pics was by no means exhaustive but serves <strong>to</strong>
illustrate the nature and extent of some of the key issues. It is not in CoRWM’s
remit, nor does it have the resources, <strong>to</strong> cover all issues in detail.
Key Points on Waste Conditioning, Packaging and S<strong>to</strong>rage R&D
ILW Product Lifetimes
6.3 CoRWM is concerned about the level of R&D effort being devoted <strong>to</strong> determining
the lifetimes of ILW wasteforms. Given the number and diversity of ILW
packages that will be produced over the rest of the lifetime of the UK’s nuclear
sites, and the potential significance of wasteform performance for transportability
and disposability, the effort being devoted <strong>to</strong> resolving uncertainties over product
lifetimes does not seem <strong>to</strong> be sufficient. NDA’s UK s<strong>to</strong>rage review (NDA, <strong>2009</strong>d)
identifies the existence and nature of this problem but gives no indication that
there will be substantial further R&D.
Graphite
6.4 If immobilised and packaged in similar ways <strong>to</strong> other ILW, bulk graphite would
occupy a great deal of space in a GDF. It is therefore important <strong>to</strong> explore
treatment options that would reduce the volume of graphite for geological
disposal. Current graphite R&D is being carried out under the 4-year EC
Carbowaste programme. NDA is taking the lead on UK strategy development for
graphite, with support from its Magnox SLCs and involvement of British Energy.
CoRWM understands that the IAEA is also establishing a Co-ordinated Research
Project on graphite. This is <strong>to</strong> be welcomed because it will enable a wider range
of countries <strong>to</strong> share expertise and ideas. There may also be a need for bilateral
co-operative approaches.
Management of Spent Fuels
6.5 There are several <strong>to</strong>pics on which R&D is likely <strong>to</strong> be needed in order <strong>to</strong> develop
reference and contingent strategies for the management of spent fuels. These
include:
CoRWM Document 2543, Oc<strong>to</strong>ber <strong>2009</strong> Page 89 of 151