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Research and developmet on low-level radioactive waste (except for TRU waste)
Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) has, since 1992, been engaged in the disposal of low-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, at its disposal site in Rokkasho Mura, Aomori Prefecture. Before starting disposal operation, RWMC carried out research and development on the standards of waste containers to be buried underground, the waste disposal technology, the technology to inspect and check waste containers, the legitimacy of transportation methods, a safety assessment of disposal, and streamlined methods of disposal of various waste.
At present, RWMC is engaged in research on systems to treat and dispose of uranium bearing waste from fuel fabrication facilities, and technical standards for such disposal, in addition to investigating low-level radioactive waste disposal with relatively high radioactivity such as spent control rods, and very low-level radioactive waste from decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
1.Research and development on geological environment
･Migration behaviors of nuclides, prediction models of groundwater flows, and methods of geological and groundwater surveys for near surface disposal･Geology and geohydrology for sub-surface disposal at intermediate depth.
2.Research and development on disposal technology
･Technology to demonstrate the safety of concrete pit disposal･Natural barrier functions of soil covering
･Development of high-integrity containers and performance evaluation of waste containers
･Demonstration of the safety of trench disposal
Test to verify nuclide migration behaviors due to rainwater in trench disposal
●Factors that determine the performance of sub-surface disposal with engineered barriers, example calculation of performance evaluation, safety cases , etc .
●Feasibility of underground cavern type disposal facilities* in terms of construction engineering technology.
●Decontamination of uranium bearing waste , behaviors of radon as a progeny radionuclide, and technology to measure low-concentration uranium bearing waste.
* Low-level waste of relatively high radioactivity levels and part of TRU waste are disposed of.
Research and development on conformity with regulations on transportation of low-level radioactive waste
Test to detect low-concentration uranium by photoneutron method
Research and development on specific methods and procedures of transportation
･Research and development on conformity with regulations on transportation of low-level radioactive waste
･Research and development on specific methods and procedures of transportation
3.Research and development on safety requirements
･Evaluating safety regarding human intrusion scenario･Methods to check disposal of mortar-grouted, miscellaneous solid waste packages and methods to manage quality control of production of waste packages
･Technology to exclude unfavorable materials from waste packages and preparation of separation manual
･Safety evaluation of facilities for sub-surface disposal with engineered barriers
･Verification of clearance and evaluation of clearance levels
●Basic safety requirements for sub-surface disposal with engineered barriers in consideration of trends and developments in overseas regulations.
4.Research and development on institutionalization and technology to communicate and correspond with society
･Preparation of promotional materials and data book Overview of treatment and disposal of reactor decommissioning waste and evaluation of constituent technologiesOverview of treatment and disposal of reactor decommissioning waste and evaluation of constituent technologies
･Research studies to grasp an overview of treatment and disposal of reactor decommissioning waste and evaluation of constituent technologies
･Scenarios, etc., for recycling of metal waste
･Basic requirements for optimum treatment and disposal of low-level radioactive waste with relatively high radioactivity levels and the basic requirements for facility designs
･Rational disposal scenarios for very low-level radioactive waste
･Optimum system in terms of economy, efficiency and safety of disposal of nuclear power plant waste
･Basic strategy on the forms of burial disposal facilities for mortar-grouted, miscellaneous solid waste packages and examination of the policy on commercialization