Disposability of the UK's Intermediate Level Wastes

Abstract

The UK's intermediate level waste (ILW) comprises a range of waste types, which vary widely in terms of physical and chemical properties, radionuclide content (including fissile) and half-life. ILW needs to be conditioned in such a way as to provide confidence that a future disposal facility for such wastes will be able to meet or exceed the basic long-term safety and environmental protection standards. The reactive properties and heterogeneous nature of certain ILW can present waste immobilisation challenges and, depending on the waste conditioning process that is adopted, may ultimately preclude the production of truly passive wasteforms. Of considerable interest is the extent of long-term containment likely to be afforded by the waste container, the wasteform and any engineered barriers within the disposal system. A regulatory view of the current uncertainties is provided and areas where further understanding would be beneficial are identified.

Development of magnesium phosphate cements for encapsulation of radioactive waste

“…All ILW needs to be conditioned in such a way as to ensure that long term safety and environmental protection standards are satisfied. 2 The wastes are packaged in stainless steel containers, which comply with the requirements for disposal as defined by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (NDA RWMD). 3 This is the body in the UK that is responsible for the design and implementation of the GDF and which carefully assesses waste forms in order to ensure that they are compatible with the disposal concept.…”

“…Currently, most ILW in the UK nuclear industry is encapsulated using conventional cement systems based on partial replacements of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with either pulverised fly ash (PFA) or blast furnace slag. All ILW needs to be conditioned in such a way as to ensure that long term safety and environmental protection standards are satisfied 2. The wastes are packaged in stainless steel containers, which comply with the requirements for disposal as defined by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority's Radioactive Waste Management Directorate (NDA RWMD) 3.…”