interdependences and integrated systems of waste management

8/3/2019 Interdependences and Integrated Systems of Waste Management

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International Atomic Energy Agency

1

Interdependences and Integrated Systemsof Waste Management

Z.Drace


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International Atomic Energy Agency2

INTEGRATION OFWASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The term "waste management system" refers to strongly interconnected combination of

various organizing, legislative, technical, economic and administrative issues.

When the strategy used in the planning and implementation of the waste management

programme is logically structured and optimized with respect to all organizational and

technical aspects, including definite disposal opportunities, and takes into account all the

elements involved, an integrated waste management system is obtained.


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INTEGRATION OFWASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

The presently achieved level of overall nationalintegration may differ from one Member State toanother, depending upon a number of objective issues,such as, for instance: the extent of the nuclear program;

the level of completeness of the legal framework and itsorganizational structure with regard to the assignment ofresponsibilities to all the parties involved;

the time-scale of strategic decisions on disposal options andsitting;

the strategic decisions of national or regional centralization of

radioactive waste processing, storage and disposalinfrastructure; the strategic decisions on combining processing and/or

storage, and/or disposal of radioactive waste (e.g. institutionalwaste, waste from nuclear power plants, waste from fuel cycleoperations, waste from decommissioning activities).


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The development and implementation of radioactive waste management

policy and strategy

International obligations (treaties, agreements,

conventions)

National circumstances (energy policy,

resources, waste inventory)

National legislative system

National RWM infrastructure

Funding system

Government

ParliamentFormulate policy statement

Implement policyMinistries

Regulators

RWM agency RWM

generatorsElaborate strategy

Implement strategy

Technical infrastructure, resources, timeconstraints

Technical options


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THE NEED FOR SPENT FUEL AND RADIOACTIVEWASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY

as a basis for the preparation of related legislation; to define roles and responsibilities for ensuring the safe

management of spent fuel and radioactive waste; as a starting point for the development of national spent fuel

and radioactive waste management programmes (strategies); as a starting point for further developments and modifications to

the existing national practices to provide for the safety and sustainability of radioactive waste

management over generations and for the adequate allocationof financial and human resources over time; and

to enhance public confidence in relation to the subject of spentfuel and radioactive waste management.


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THE NEED FOR SPENT FUEL AND RADIOACTIVEWASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The set of declared national goals and requirements for the safemanagement of spent fuel and radioactive waste has to betranslated into a more practical and operational form, or strategy,to provide for their implementation. Strategies are needed to: specify how the national radioactive waste management and spent

fuel policy will be implemented by the responsible organizations usingthe available technical measures and financial resources;

define how and when the identified goals and requirements will beachieved;

identify the competencies needed for achieving the goals and howthey will be provided;

elaborate the ways in which the various types of radioactive waste inthe country, including, where appropriate, spent fuel, will be managed

during all phases of the radioactive waste lifecycle (from cradle tograve); and to enhance public confidence in relation to the subject of spent fuel

and radioactive waste management.


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PREREQUISITES FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Present national legal framework The existing national legal structure and regulatory framework and their suitability for

implementing policies for the safe management of spent fuel and radioactive waste. Present institutional structure

The existing institutional structure, (regulatory body, radioactive waste managementorganization and facilities) within the country for the management of radioactive waste andspent fuel.

Applicable international conventions The applicable international instruments and the obligations placed on the country as a

result of these instruments. The Joint Convention [2] is clearly relevant here but otherconventions, such as the London Convention, 1972 [8] (as related to radioactive wastedumping at sea), and the Ospar Convention [9] (as related to the discharge of radioactivematerials to the NE Atlantic Ocean) may be relevant for some countries.

Present national policies and strategies The content of existing relevant national policies, if any, in relation to spent fuel and

radioactive waste management and the existence of applicable strategies which would beavailable in response to any policy development.

Spent fuel and radioactive waste inventory Indicative national inventories (amounts and types) of existing and anticipated spent fuel

and radioactive waste. Availability of resources The scale of the resources (human, financial, technical) that are available in the country to

facilitate implementation of the policy. Situation in other countries The waste management solutions being used in the region and the facilities/technologies

available in other countries that potentially could be shared. Stakeholder involvement The main parties concerned and involved with spent fuel and radioactive waste management

in the country.


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PREREQUISITES FOR STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

In order to develop or update a national strategy or the strategy of one of the implementingorganizations, the persons involved should, amongst other things, have an understanding ofthe topics listed below.

Inventory of spent fuel and radioactive waste

Estimates of the amounts and types of existing and future spent fuel and radioactive wastein the country. Waste classification The national classification scheme for radioactive waste. Waste characterization The chemical and physical characteristics of the radioactive waste, the owners and

locations of the spent fuel and radioactive waste. Waste management strategies in other countries

The strategies being used for managing similar waste types in other countries. Existing waste management facilities A knowledge of existing and planned facilities for radioactive waste and spent fuel

management in the country. Availability of resources Details of the funds and available expertise to support spent fuel and radioactive waste

management activities in the country. Existing regulatory regime

The existing regulatory regime related to the safe management of spent fuel and radioactivewaste. Stakeholder expectations and interests The expectations and interests of the main parties concerned and involved with spent fuel

and radioactive waste management in the country.


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Technical SystemBasic Steps


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Predisposal waste management goal

Predisposal management of radioactive waste includes all stages oractivities in the management of radioactive waste from its generation toultimate presentation for discharge within authorized limits or disposal.

The overall objective of predisposal radioactive waste management isto minimize the integrated detriment from the handling, processing andstorage of radioactive waste, through all waste management stages.

Predisposal management of radioactive waste is a part of the integratedradioactive waste management process which includes disposal or

discharge of radioactive waste as the ultimate goal. When discharge is not appropriate then, if a disposal route has beendefined, the main objective of predisposal radioactive wastemanagement is to convert the waste into a form suitable for safetransport and disposal.

Where a disposal route has not yet been defined, the main objective isto convert the waste into a form that can be safely stored and retrieved

and will not unreasonably foreclose options for future disposal.


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Predisposal waste management planning

Waste generators or operators of a facility dealing with radioactive wasteare responsible for identifying, on an appropriate time-scale, a destinationfor their waste that is in accordance with the legal requirements andacceptable to the government or the Regulatory Body, and for seekingany necessary authorization. In general, the following destination optionscould be considered:

Exemption of the waste from nuclear regulatory control; Recovery of valuable products from the waste streams for recycling andreuse;

Discharge within authorized limits, keeping the ALARA principles in mind; Processing of the waste to produce packages acceptable for safe storage

and retrieval; Processing of the waste to produce packages acceptable for disposal; Temporary on-site storage of unprocessed waste or spent fuel; Storage of waste or waste packages to take benefit of radioactive decay

or pending a disposal route; and Transfer to another operator for processing, storage and/or disposal.


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Schematic Approach to waste managementprocessing technologies selection


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Interdependencies1/1

The technical considerations have a strong bearing on theformulation of a national strategy. This implies that the technicaldecisions influencing the overall strategy cannot be separatedfrom the decisions involving the legal, economic, financial,institutional and public decision-making processes.

In this regard a few examples should assist in clarifying theprinciple involved:

The choice of technologies to perform certain operations as partof the overall waste management process has a clear bearing onthe safety and environmental aspects and hence on the regulatory(and other legal) requirements applying to these operations.

The technologies utilized need to be selected in a mannercommensurate with the organizations requirements for economicefficiency and financial prudence applicable to the organization.


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Interdependencies1/2

The technologies selected to perform specific wastemanagement functions within the responsibleimplementing organizations need to be consistent withand capable of being properly constructed, operated,maintained and upgraded (where necessary) in

compliance with regulatory requirements. The technologies to be selected need to be of a type

that is acceptable or justifiable to the stakeholdersinvolved in the environmental impact assessmentprocess. In this regard there are certain types oftechnologies that need to take into account stakeholdersensitivities, such as for example incineration ordisposal technologies.


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Overview of Technical Options for Radioactive Waste Management 1/2

Wastetype

Wasteclass

Source Treatment Concentratedstream form

Concentratedstream

conditioning

Leanstreamform

Lean streamconditioning

Disposaloption of

conditionedwaste

Liquid Exempt Diverse sources - - - - Discharge -

VSLW Reactor, research, medical use Storage for decay - - Liquid Discharge -

VLLW Decommissioning of reactor,research, site remediation,medical use

Storage for decay,evaporation, membraneprocesses, ion exchange

Liquid, resin,membrane

Cementation Liquid Discharge Surfacetrench, NSDF

LLW Reactor, isotope productionfacility, U mines &mills, fuel

fabrication plant, reprocessingplant

Storage for decay,chemical treatment, ion

exchange, membraneprocesses, evaporation

Sludge, spentresin,

membrane,liquid

Bitumination,cementation,

polymerisation,high integritycontainer

Liquid Discharge NSDF

ILW Reactor, reprocessing plant Chemical treatment, ionexchange, evaporation

Sludge, spentresin, liquid

Bitumination,cementation

LLWliquid

See: LLWliquid

Geologicalrepository

HLW Reprocessing plant Evaporation Liquid, sludge Vitrification ILWliquid

See: ILWliquid

Geologicalrepository

Organic LILW

Laboratory, reactor,reprocessing plant

Incineration, sorption,distillation, wet oxidation,

alkaline hydrolysis

Filter, sorbent,organic liquid

Cementation,polymerisation

Liquid,gas

Recycle,discharge

NSDF

Gaseous andairborneparticles

LLW Reactors, isotope productionfacility, waste processing

Filtration, sorption,scrubbing

Filters, sorptionbeds, liquids

Compaction/overpacking,cementation

Gas Discharge NSDF

ILW Reprocessing plant, wasteimmobilization plant

Scrubbing, absorption,adsorption, HEPA filtration

Filters,concentratedliquid

Cementation,compaction/overpacking

Gas Discharge NSDF


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Overview of Technical Options for Radioactive Waste Management 2/2

Wastetype

Wasteclass

Source Treatment Concentrated stream

form

Concentratedstream

conditioning

Leanstrea

mform

Leanstream

conditioning

Disposaloption of

conditionedwaste

Solid Exempt

Diverse sources - - - Solid Recycle,discharge

-

VSLW ResearchMedical use

Storage for decay - - Solid Recycle,discharge

-

VLLW Site remediation research,

reactor decommissioning,medical use

Storage for decay,

fragmentation

Solids - Solid Recycle/

discharge

Surface trench,

NSDF

LLW Reactor, isotope productionfacility, fuel fabrication plant,reprocessing plant

Compaction,incineration,fragmentation,melting

Solid,ingots

Grouting,overpacking

- - NSDF

ILW Reactors, reprocessing plant Compaction,fragmentation

Solid Grouting - - NSDF,geologicalrepository

HLW Disused radioactive sources - Solid Overpacking - - BOSS,geologicalrepository


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Disposal Routs

Disposal is the final step in the radioactive waste management. It consistsof emplacement of radioactive waste in a licensed disposal facility withoutthe intention of retrieval and without reliance on long-term surveillanceand maintenance after the regulatory authority has declared it complieswith the required conditions.

Although preferred approach is to dispose of most types of radioactivewaste by concentration and containment, disposal may also comprise the

discharge of effluents into the environment within authorized limits, withsubsequent dispersion. For all practical purposes this is an irreversibleaction and is considered suitable only for limited amounts of specificradioactive waste.

Outmost consideration has to be put on carefully choosing the disposaloption. Once a disposal option is preferred, many of the performances ofthe predisposal system are mostly set up. Disposal options have to take

care of radioactive life of the radioisotopes in the waste and its associatedlevel of activity. Disposal options require a deep understanding of wastestreams but also a clear knowledge of national characteristics asgeological possibilities, technical background and public acceptance.


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Disposal Routs

Simple categories could be clearly stated at first, so at early planningstages they provide a helpful map of possibilities:

Short-lived low level waste. Disposal technologies are mostly oriented to nearsurface disposal of the waste, if clay or another type of water-resistant materialis available at potential site, to avoid long-term leaks to underground waters.

Short-lived, low and medium level waste. That could be disposed of inrepositories either of near surface type, or of underground facilities type. Thekey issue to choose between of these two systems, is the relative content oflong-lived isotopes mainly alpha-emitters. Other considerations arepopulation density close to the sites nominated for the repository or socialrestrictions linked to desirable levels of long-term safety.

Long-lived waste, either low level, or long-lived waste with high activity andthermal output. Most of the technical and scientific communities agree thatunderground repository is the most suitable way of disposing of such waste.Underground repository requires a high technical capacity to find a suitablegeology, so the host-rock could provide a permanent and reliable naturalbarrier to radionuclides.


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Disposal Routs

In order to choose the proper type of process for the radioactive wastemanagement when no disposal facility has been established,assumptions have to be made about the likely disposal option.Consideration has then to be given to the potential conflict between theneed to contain and store the waste in a passive, safe condition and thedesirability of retaining flexibility in waste form , to avoid prejudicing thechoice of eventual disposal options.

In predisposal management of radioactive waste and spent fuel, decisionsoften have to be made at a time when a disposal facility is not availableand the waste acceptance requirements for the repository are stillunknown. A similar situation would arise if radioactive waste were to bestored for safety reasons or other reasons over extended periods of time.

In both cases it should still be considered whether, from the point of viewof safety, the radioactive waste should be stored in a raw, treated orconditioned form. In making such decisions, the anticipated needs of anyfuture steps in radioactive waste management shall, as far as possible, beconsidered and applied in processing of the waste


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Activitycontent VSLW

very short lived waste(decay storage)

HLWhigh level waste

(deep geologic disposal)

ILWintermediate level waste(intermediate depth disposal)LLW

low level waste(near surface disposal)

VLLWvery low level waste

(landfill disposal)

EWexempt waste

(exemption / clearance)

Time

Proposed New Radioactive Waste

Classification Scheme


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Overview of Recommended Management End-Points for Particular Waste

Streams

Radioactive waste stream

END POINT

Long-term

storage (*)

Decaystorage

Surfacetrench

Dam

Engineered

Surfacefacility

Sub-surfacefacility

Geological

repositoryBOSS

VSLWLow volume NR ++ + + + NR NR NR

Large volume NR ++ + + NR NR NR NT

VLLW

Low volume NR N ++ ++ + NR NT NR

Large volume NR N ++ ++ + NR NT NT

LLWLow volume + N + + ++ ++ + +

Large volume + N NR NR ++ ++ + NT

ILWLow volume + N N N N ++ ++ +

Large volume + N N N N ++ ++ N

SF/HLWN N N N N N ++ N

DSRS

Short-lived + + + + ++ + NR +

Long-lived + N N N + ++ ++ ++

SHARS + N N N N ++ ++ ++

NORMLow volume NR N ++ ++ + + NR NR

Large volume NR N ++ ++ NR NR NR NT

Uranium M&M

Low volume NR N + ++ + + + NR

Large volume NR N + ++ NR NR NR NT


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WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANNING FRAMEWORK

Every country should have some form of policyand strategies for managing its radioactivewaste (including other radioactive substancesthat may need to be managed as waste in the

future such as spent fuel, as applicable). Suchpolicy and strategies are important as they mayset out the nationally agreed position and plansfor managing radioactive waste, and are visible

evidence of the concern and intent of thegovernment and the relevant organizations toensure that radioactive waste are properlytaken care of


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RW Strategy Implementation LinkagesUnderstanding the Nature and

Scope of the Situation:

Assessing and Establishing the Current

Waste Inventory and Future WasteForecasts

Policy Development and Updating

Policy Implementation

Technical Options

Strategy Development,

Implementation and Updating

Economic Considerations Long-term Planning

Funding Mechanism


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RW Assessment Methodology

Provides practical guidance for longer-term planning oftechnical options for waste management activities byuse of standardized, comprehensive considerationsand methodologies for performing an assessment oflocal, national and regional waste inventories andforecasts, and the resulting waste management needs.

Covers the full range of nuclear activities, includinguranium mining, nuclear fuel cycle facilities, nuclearresearch reactors and research centres, nuclear power

plants, RWM facilities, medical isotope production andusage facilities, industrial applications, and any otherfacility that may generate RW or byproducts (asdefined by the regulations in a Member State)


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SCOPE OF THE INVENTORY

Once the role of the inventory has beendetermined, it is fundamental to agree onits scope. The following must be

considered: the type of radioactive substances to be

included;

the level of detail;

assumptions to be used; the type of data to be collected (e.g. quantity;radiological, physical and chemical properties);

the type of data to be published.


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Type of waste

The waste to be considered in the inventory may include: radioactive waste from all sources identified in the Member State; disused radioactive sealed sources; radioactive materials and other radioactive substances that are

not currently classified as waste (but which may become waste inthe future);

radioactive waste that existed at a given date (i.e. stock date) onthe territory (i.e. stock or current inventory); radioactive waste that is forecast to arise on the territory beyond

the stock date (i.e. future or forecast arisings); radioactive waste that has already been disposed as of the stock

date;

radioactive substances which are temporarily managed in anotherMember State or vice versa.


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Level of detail

The two main levels of detail for inventory arelocation and type of data. For example, itshould be specified whether the inventory will

provide information that is: summarized at national, regional,

organizational, site and/or facility level;

compiled by specific type of collected data (e.g.by waste classification, source type, chemicalcontent)


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Main assumptions

Policy and regulatory framework in the Member State will dictatethe classification of radioactive substances, e.g.:

should the radioactive substances be considered as waste orradioactive materials?

should radioactive materials be considered as potentiallyrequiring long-term management as waste in the future? In addition, the following assumptions must be made in order toderive the inventory:

the stock date at which the inventory will be frozen; the period to be considered for future arisings; the type of facilities and activities from which waste will be

generated; the type of scenarios for the generation of radioactive waste and

usage of radioactive materials.


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Type of data to be collected

The following type of data could be collected, depending on the scope of theinventory:

unit of waste or substance for which data will be collected. For example someMember States define standard waste types or categories;

origin e.g. from activities associated with a nuclear power station, medicaltreatment and diagnosis, research;

classification e.g. radioactive material or waste such as low-level waste; status e.g. stock or future waste, unconditioned or conditioned; physical state e.g. liquid, gaseous, solid and sludge; waste type e.g. solvent, metallic scrap, resins, incinerator ash; properties radiological, physical, chemical (including hazardous properties),

biological quantity e.g. volume, mass or number of waste packages and arising schedules

(quantity in their existing/arising or conditioned form; storage and/or disposalvolume).

processing options, e.g. pre-treatment, treatment and conditioning; existing andplanned routes. other management steps, e.g. transport, storage and disposal; existing and

planned routes.


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Type of data to be published

The Member State should consider if and how thecollected data is to be presented. Points to considerwhen preparing publications of the inventory (ifrequired), include:

suitability of the data for release in the public domain; type of publication and target audience (e.g. reports,

tables, graphics; for the public or for technicalexperts);

publishing all collected data in its entirety or in aselective or summary form; content of publication (e.g. data summarized atnational, regional, organizational, sector level)

media (e.g. paper, electronic, internet)


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STEPWISE APPROACH

To establish an inventory needs to beconducted in a systematic way.

The complete inventory will typically consistof two main parts: existing stocks of wasteand forecasts of future arising. The specificapplication in each Member State will be

different, depending on the scope and degreeof their past, current and planned futurenuclear activities.


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Establishment of Waste Inventory

Specify waste categories to beincluded

Data collection: Survey ofwaste producers, owners,

facility operators, sites, etc

Analysis and reconciliation of

data

Preparation of inventory report

Establish criteria for inclusion

in the inventory

- define the point at which a material becomes a part of thewaste inventory

- establish data to be collected (e.g. quantities, activities,waste type, current location, origin, etc) and its format andreporting units

- if waste categories are well established or well defined,they can be specified up front.- if they are not well defined or established or are unknown,then this step should be determined after data collection

- collect data from each facility or waste producer- it is important to establish and keep an up-to-date list offacilities and contacts that produce and/or manage wastes

- group waste into logical categories

- sum up data from all facilities- resolve or clarify any discrepancies

- level of detail needs to be sufficient for waste managementplanning purposes


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Assessment of Future Waste Arisings

Specify waste categories to be

included

Data collection: Survey of wasteproducers, owners, facilityoperators, designers, sites;

forecasts from historic data; etc

Analysis and reconciliation of data

Preparation of forecast arisings

report

Establish planning assumptions

- define timeframe for forecast (short-term, mid-term, long-term, life of facility, etc)- define facilities, programs, locations, etc to be included- define other basic assumptions important for the forecastingexercise

- waste categories should be well defined and should be

consistent with existing practices as established by currentinventory step

- provide a standard format or template to users to simplifydata interpretation, including units of measurement- collect data from each facility, waste generator or new facilitydesigner

- resolve or clarify any discrepancies- sum up data from all facilities, etc

- level of detail needs to be sufficient for waste managementplanning purposes

Typical Process for Forecasting Future Waste Arisings


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Context of the inventory, definition anddocumenting boundaries and limitations

: Definition of start and end points. The inventory requires some logicalbounds which will depend on the needs of the Member State. Forexample, will it include waste from nuclear power plants, medical,research, industrial, military, fuel cycle, mining, remediation of existingnuclear sites, existing or planned future nuclear facilities, etc? (e.g. whenfacility is shut down, or when it is dismantled and the waste is produced)?

Scenarios for the production of radioactive waste and usage of nuclearmaterials. e.g. one or more scenarios such as a scenario that reflects thenuclear industry and policy in the Member State as at the stock dateand/or a scenario that considers changes in specific policies.

Definition of waste classes, categories, etc. It is important to determinehow the waste is to be grouped in the inventory. There are many suchsystems in use in Member States. Some are mandated by legislation in

the Member State, while others have evolved from common usage inindustry. Constraints and limitations. For example, is there a point beyond which

the inventory should not be extrapolated? Are there some legislativerestrictions on waste management options or future waste arisings?


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Assessment of Waste Management Needs

Determine current inventories

Forecast future waste arisings

Determine appropriate waste

management options

Prepare forecast of resultingfuture waste inventories

Prepare plan of future wastemanagement needs

Enumerate assumptions andbounds for assessment

- define starting and end points of the assessment- define constraints and limitations (e.g. wasteclassification, categories, etc)

- establish existing waste inventory by source,classification, category, type, location, etc.- level of detail needs to be sufficient for purpose

- establish planning scenarios (e.g. lifetime of futureoperations

- gather and collate raw data inputs from wastegenerators

- level of detail needs to be sufficient for purpose

- select reference options for treating and managingthe various waste streams (e.g. to determine volumereduction factors, final waste forms, etc)

- based on forecast of future arisings andreference waste management options, calculateexpected future waste inventory

- the future waste forecasts and the reference wastemanagement options provide a basis for determiningfuture waste management infrastructure needs (whatneeds to be built by when and perhaps where)

Basic Methodology for Assessing Waste Management Needs


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PREREQUISITES FOR THE WASTEMANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT

In order to carry out an assessment of waste managementneeds for an entire Member State or the assessment for one ofthe implementing organizations, the following should beavailable or known:

Inventory of radioactive substances as appropriate (the location,amount, type and characteristics of existing and future radioactive

substances in the Member State). The national radioactive waste classification system. Existing waste management infrastructure. Resources for design and construction of new facilities. Opportunities for integration (e.g. sharing of knowledge, facilities,

mobile equipment, etc).

Existing regulatory regime. Expectations and interests of stakeholders and other concernedparties.

Waste management practices and facilities in other Member States


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Assessing of waste management needs

Safety, environmental impact, legislation, regulations, etc Availability of resources (funds, personnel, construction materials, location) Stakeholder engagement Prioritization of work programme (e.g. best use of limited resources, hazard reduction) Timing of the need (e.g. just-in-time construction, modular capacity to stage it over time); Initial capacity required and potential future capacities for various waste types (e.g.

estimating the dates when storage and/or disposal facilities will be filled); Locations for facilities (e.g. centralized vs decentralized, fixed vs mobile, does the proposed

site(s) have the capacity to house all facilities required?, etc);

Basic infrastructure requirements for supporting the activities (e.g. supervision, training,transportation, monitoring, maintenance, etc);

Flexibility and integration (e.g. can it be used for other waste types?, can it be expanded inthe future if required?, does it provide an acceptable solution for all waste types, etc);

Licensing requirements (e.g. what regulations apply to this type of facility? How long does ittake to obtain any necessary licenses?, etc);

Method of collecting costs to ensure adequate future funding for construction, operationand decommissioning of required facilities;

Periodic reevaluation, updating and auditing of the plans, especially when a significantchange occurs in the forecast waste inventory (e.g. addition of new nuclear activities,results of unexpected incidents, etc.) or the reference waste management strategy (e.g.moving from storage to final disposal).

C C S O G S


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CHECKLIST FOR DETERMINING WASTEMANAGEMENT options

Step Element Description

1. Specify requirements for waste management needs assessment

1 (a) Define role and scope of assessment

1 (b) Distribute responsibilities and establish conventions (including terminologies)

1 (c) Identify pre-requisites to complete assessment

2. Establish an inventory of all radioactive waste to be managed

2 (a) Specify inventory requirements and distribute responsibilitiesDefine the inventory role

Define the inventory scope

Agree conventions and terminology to be used.

2 (b) Develop process for collecting data

2 (c) Prepare data

2 (d) Collect and approve data (including consistency checks)

2 (e) Compile data and produce inventory publications

2 (f) Review inventory process and data quality

3. Assess waste management needs

3 (a) Understanding the task

3 (b) Review the inventory to identify needs

3 (c) Screen waste management options

3 (d) Assess waste management needs


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Economics of RWM

Outlines a methodology for estimating the costs of RWmanagement activities; Assess the liability for specific WM strategy; and Provides examples of application of this methodology

in a typical end-to-end evaluation of life cycle WMcosts for alternative strategies

Provides an evaluation of life cycle costs and liabilitiesfor the management of wastes streams including -butnot limited- to the management of legacy waste storedor disposed of in the past and newly generated RWfrom nuclear applications, nuclear power generationand associated nuclear fuel cycles, and closure anddecommissioning of nuclear facilities including the WMfacilities themselves.


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Economicsof RWM

Develop cost estimates for each scenario

Note: In planning phase, before scenarios are chosen, indicative costestimates can be used, based on benchmarking information

Select one or two scenarios for detailed costing/analysis

Note: For costing selected scenarios, detailed cost estimates arerecommended, utilizing a well developed & detailed work breakdownstructure

Estimate liabilities and annual funding needed for each selected scenario

Inputs:Detailed cost estimates for each process/life cycle cost estimates by waste

management stream, including fixed and variable costs; Labour & materialescalation rates; Discount rates to be used (can be prescribed by regulation);

Current status of funding (if established)

Outputs:Present value or current value of liability; Annual funding requirement by waste

streamFinancial guarantees needed (if any).

Perform risk assessmentKey inputs:

Cost estimates uncertainty (i.e. ranges); Economic indices uncertainty (i.e.ranges); Strategy uncertainty (e.g.in-service dates of facilities)Output:

Confidence in scenario(s) chosen as an input to decision making

Select preferred waste management strategy

Develop a waste management plan

Note: May include several alternative scenarios

I tit ti l f k d i t d


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Institutional framework and associatedresponsibilities

The development of a legal framework and assignment of appropriateresponsibilities is a pre-requisite to being able to assess the economicsof alternative approaches to radioactive waste management.

Specific to economic assessments of radioactive waste management,there is an also identified need for legal requirements and appropriateoversight to assure funding adequacy.

Legal requirements are necessary to protect against misuse of funds,claims on funds during potential financial crises, to provide mechanismsto assure that funds are structured and managed to keep pace withinflation and escalation and to provide financial guarantees in the eventthat funding is insufficient to safely manage radioactive waste.

It is not possible to establish a specific methodology for assuring fundingadequacy for all countries, as the waste ownership, operation, andfinancial obligations differ too radically.

I tit ti l f k d i t d


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Institutional framework and associatedresponsibilities

Institutional framework-ideal scenario

Government Ministries

Nuclear Regulator

-Legislation

-Polices

-Regulations

-Oversight

-Financial

guarantees

Waste Management Organization

Strategy formulation (e.g. for spent

fuel management)

Public consultation

Maintain inventory database

Implement long-term facilities &

receive and dispose of L&ILW

Implement long-term facilities &

receive and dispose of spent fuel*

*Often, spent fuel management responsibilities

may allocated to a separate organization from that

charged with management of operational LILW

and decommissioning waste.

Waste Generators

- Strategy and plan formulation

(e.g. for LILW and

decommissioning waste.)

- On-site management & processing

- Transport safely to in-house or

third party - Processing, storage and

disposal

- Storage (until disposal)

- Develop cost and liability estimates

and make contributions to segregated

funds

Waste-

Segregated Fund

Funding

Contributions

Oversight

COSTS ESTIMATES AND ECONOMIC


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COSTS ESTIMATES AND ECONOMICASSESSMENTStep 1

Develop a waste management plan Facility life assumptions Forecast of waste arising by type Facilities needed (e.g. storage buildings) Opportunities to optimize/trade-off processes

Note: May include several alternative scenarios

The key inputs to the waste management plan are expected facilitylifetimes, expected quantities and type of waste generation over those

facilities lifetimes. These factors drive the requirements for theradioactive waste management processes and facilities and the type

and timing of those facilities.



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COSTS ESTIMATES AND ECONOMICASSESSMENT Step 2

Develop high level cost estimates for each scenario Cost estimates by process, utilizing work breakdownstructure

Overall cost estimate for life cycle of each wastestream

Note: In planning phase, before scenarios are chosen, indicativecost estimates can be used, based on benchmarkinginformation

This provides a quick assessment of the costs ofradioactive waste management for alternative strategiesand allows the waste generator to quickly assess whichstrategies or scenarios are worth carrying forward to a moredetailed analysis.



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COSTS ESTIMATES AND ECONOMICASSESSMENTStep 3

Select one or two scenarios for detailed costing/analysis Develop detailed cost estimates for each process; Overall cost estimate for life cycle of each waste

streamNote:

For costing selected scenarios, detailed cost estimates arerecommended, utilizing a well developed & detailed workbreakdown structure

These costs estimates need to be developed insignificant detail in order to allow a proper assessment

of the life cycle costs of a particular strategy, the risksaround the strategy (e.g. an understanding of the fixedand variable components of the costs) and the ultimateliability of the waste generator for the management ofradioactive waste under each alternative strategy.



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COSTS ESTIMATES AND ECONOMICASSESSMENT-Step 4

Estimate liabilities and annual funding needed for each selected scenario Inputs: Detailed cost estimates for each process/life cycle cost estimates by

waste management stream, including fixed and variable costs Labour & material escalation rates Discount rates to be used (can be prescribed by regulation)

Current status of funding (if established) Outputs: Present value or current value of liability Annual funding requirement by waste stream Financial guarantees needed (if any).

Note: A detailed framework for assessing the liability needs to be

developed with buy-in from oversight bodies e.g. the regulator andother government agencies



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Perform risk assessment Key inputs:

Cost estimates uncertainty (i.e. ranges)

Economic indices uncertainty (i.e. ranges) Strategy uncertainty (e.g. in-service dates offacilities)

Output: Confidence in scenario(s) chosen as an

input to decision making



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Select preferred waste management strategy


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THANK YOU

interdependences and integrated systems of waste management

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