Abstract
ONDRAF/NIRAS is developing and evaluating a surface disposal concept for low and intermediate level short-lived radioactive waste (LILW-SL) at Dessel, Belgium. In support of ONDRAF/NIRAS's assignment, SCK•CEN carried out long-term performance assessment calculations for the inorganic non-radioactive components that are present in LILW-SL. This paper summarizes the results obtained from calculations that were done for a heavily engineered surface disposal facility at the nuclear zone of Mol/Dessel. The calculations address the migration of chemotoxic elements from the disposed waste to groundwater. Screening calculations were performed first to decide which non-radioactive components could potentially increase concentrations in groundwater to levels above the groundwater standards. On the basis of very conservative calculations, only 6 out of 41 chemical elements could not be classified as having a negligible impact on man and environment. For each of these six elements (B, Be, Cd, Pb, Sb, and Zn), the source term was characterized in terms of its chemical form (i.e., metal, oxide, or salt), and a macroscopic transport model built that would capture the small-scale dissolution processes relevant to element release from a cementitious waste container.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | Symposium Proceedings. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXXI |
Place of Publication | Warrendale, United States |
Pages | 689-701 |
State | Published - Sep 2008 |
Event | MRS 2007 - Materials Research Society - UK - Materials Research Society, Sheffield Duration: 17 Sep 2007 → 23 Sep 2007 |
Conference
Conference | MRS 2007 - Materials Research Society - UK |
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Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
City | Sheffield |
Period | 2007-09-17 → 2007-09-23 |