Research and Development on Low-level Radioactive Waste
Japan Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd. Has been conducting disposal projects of low-level radioactive waste (LLW) from nuclear power plants in Rokkasho-mura, Aomori Prefecture since 1992. Prior to the implementation of these waste disposal projects, RWMC conducted research and development (R&D) on waste conditioning technologies, waste packaging standards for disposal, waste inspection and confirmation technology, research on safety assessment. Currently, RWMC is conducting research on conditioning and disposal systems and technical standards for the disposal with focus on spent control rods and LLW with relatively high radioactivity generated from decommissioning of nuclear power plants.
●indicates the ongoing projects
1. R&D on Engineering Technologies for LLW Disposal
- Verification of construction and closing technologies for undergroud cavern disposal facility
Conceptual illustration of a cavern disposal facility
Construction test of compacted bentonite buffer layer in a narrow space
Backfilling test with sprayed soil-based backfill materia
From "Performance verification test for underground cavern disposal facility",
"Verification test of closure technology for a cavern disposal facility"
● Development of monitoring strategy and technology for underground cavern disposal facility
System of distributed optical fiber sensing
Strain measurement of upper mortar low diffusion layer
From "Function confirmation test for underground cavern disposal facility"
2. Study on Criteria and Standards
● Study on standardization of safety assessment for low-level radioactive waste disposal
● Study on standardization of production and inspection method for solidified waste