Developing a framework for the effective implementation of a borehole disposal system
Closed for Proposals
Project Type
Coordinated Research ProjectProject Code
T22002
CRP
2228
Approved Date
2018/12/19Project Status
ClosedStart Date
2019/08/14Expected End Date
2023/12/31Completed Date
2025/09/03Participating Countries
Australia, Bulgaria, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, France, Indonesia, Norway, United States of America, South AfricaObjectives
To further strengthen the supporting information on the borehole disposal of DSRS making the borehole disposal option more readily licensable and implementable.
Specific Objectives
Define a reference design envelope, including details and technical specifications of the designs of disposal containers, boreholes, mobile source conditioning facilities (Mobile Hot Cell, Mobile Tool Kit, etc.) and an envelope of potentially suitable geologies (including guidance on siting and site characterisation)
Develop a QA/QC plan supporting the implementation of and confidence in the concept
Expand and consolidate the technical and scientific basis underpinning the concept
Impact
The CRP provided its participants a platform to discuss and understand the framework, main concepts and approaches to launch and implement a borehole disposal programme. Through its main output, the "framework" publication, it will be a main IAEA technical guidance for IAEA Member States interested in launching their own borehole disposal programme. Jointly with existing safety standards and security guides, it complements a comprehensive suite of IAEA guidance on this topic.
Relevance
The relevance and predominant Outcome achieved with resources invested in this CRP are as follows.
The majority of IAEA Member States have responsibility for only a very small inventory of radioactive material, which may one day be declared as radioactive waste - for example and in the case of disused sealed radioactive sources, if other endpoint options such as return to supplier or transfer for recycling or transfer to another Member State to address specific security concerns are not available. The participation in this CRP raised awareness on the borehole disposal options and, on the type, and scale of resources, capacity building needs as well as the typical duration to implement a national borehole disposal programme. The publication of the main "framework" output as well as the prior development of a dedicated, two-week training course on this topic, further supports other Member States in addressing this waste disposal responsibility. Implementing borehole disposal provides Member States with such small radioactive waste inventories with a definitive and comprehensive endpoint solution for their entire radioactive source inventory.