Research Reactor Spent Fuel Management: Options and Support to Decision Making

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• Publisher: International Atomic Energy Agency
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9789201202215
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Mechanical Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

This publication, resulting from an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP), provides information about available strategies for research reactor spent fuel management, and presents a decision methodology to assist those selecting among several options, to identify the preferred approach for their specific situation. The decision support tools were developed to consider not only the cost of the possible research reactor spent fuel management strategies, but also the non-economic factors that might influence their selection. Examples of the technologies that are currently used by some IAEA Member States are provided. Additionally, this publication provides information about the Excel based decision-support tools developed as part of this CRP, along with case studies and tutorials to assist users.

1. INTRODUCTION

This IAEA publication summarizes the results of the Coordinated Research Project (CRP) T33001 on Options and Technologies for Managing the Back End of the Research Reactor Nuclear Fuel Cycle, which took place from 2015 to 2018 with the participation of 16 institutions from 15 Member States.

1.1. Background

Research reactors (RRs) are used worldwide for activities such as the education of nuclear scientists and engineers, for general and refresher training of the nuclear power workforce, to produce medical and industrial radioisotopes, for silicon doping, to perform advanced fuel and material testing to support life extension of operating nuclear power plants (NPPs), to validate safety analysis design methods for new power plants, to qualify new fuels, and to validate modelling and calculation tools. RRs are also key tools in building and maintaining national nuclear capacity and achieving public acceptance of nuclear technologies [1]. As of March 2019, there are 227 RRs operating around the world, with another 23 planned or in construction [2]. An additional 136 RRs are in extended or permanent shutdown, or under decommissioning.

There is a clear and unequivocal understanding that each country is ethically and legally responsible for its own spent fuel and nuclear waste, as stated by both the IAEA, via the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management [3], and by the international nuclear waste disposal concepts [4] summarized by the World Nuclear Association (WNA). Member States operating or having previously operated a RR (research reactor) are responsible for the safe, secure and sustainable management of associated radioactive waste, including RR spent nuclear fuel (RRSNF). This includes the storage and ultimate disposal of conditioned RRSNF, or the corresponding equivalent waste generated and returned following reprocessing of the spent fuel.

The main objective in managing and disposing of radioactive waste is to protect people, including future generations, and the environment. Regional or national laws and directives provide a regulatory framework for the management of spent fuel. The IAEA provides Member States with safety standards, guidelines and good practice examples to enable them to establish and maintain a responsible waste management programme.

Selection and implementation of the most appropriate nuclear waste management programme can be very challenging considering the numerous elements and factors that must be addressed, such as technological feasibility, economics, social acceptance and environmental impact. The aim of this publication is to support RR operating organizations and Member States in developing a spent fuel management programme, including final disposal, that is sustainable, is secure [5], and complies with international and national regulations.

One key challenge when developing general recommendations for RRSNF management options lies in the diversity of spent fuel types, locations and national or regional circumstances, rather than mass or volume alone, particularly since typical RRSNF inventories are relatively small. Presently, many countries lack an effective long term policy for managing RRSNF. A methodical review and compilation of technology options for RRSNF management is therefore needed.

1.1.1. IAEA initiatives related to RRSNF issues

The importance of the RRSNF management challenge has been highlighted in past IAEA publications and workshops. One of the first reports, IAEA-TECDOC-1508, Spent Fuel Management Options for Research Reactors in Latin America [6], originated from a regional Technical Cooperation project. Reference [6] summarizes the results of this project in identifying and assessing a number of viable alternatives for RRSNF management from five participating countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru). The basic conditions for a regional strategy for managing spent fuel, the options for operational and interim storage, spent fuel conditioning and final disposal were considered.

Based on requests from Member States, the IAEA has continued to address elements of RRSNF management. Other IAEA publications about RRSNF storage are Management and Storage of Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel: Proceedings of a Technical Meeting held in Thurso, United Kingdom, 19–22 October ...

Table of contents

• 1. INTRODUCTION
• Annex I CURRENT RRSNF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN PARTICIPATING MEMBER STATES
• Annex II COUNTRY CASE STUDIES
• GLOSSARY
• INTRODUCTION TO THE SUPPLEMENTARY FILES
• ABBREVIATIONS
• CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW