Application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process in selecting long-term storage option for spent nuclear fuel in South Africa

Abstract

South Africa is one of the countries using nuclear power and has prospects to expand its use in the near future. The major issue with nuclear power generation is the management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) which has become a challenge worldwide with South Africa also facing the same challenges.Radioactive waste management in South Africa is guided by a Radioactive Waste Management Policy and Strategy (RWMP&S) for the Republic of South Africa. In the Policy and Strategy, the government recognises that the practice of storing SNF in on-site storage pools is not sustainable and that regardless of any strategy chosen for the management of SNF, a long-term above-ground storage on an off-site facility is needed until a permanent solution is found.A number of options for dry storage systems are available from international vendors. The challenge is to select the most appropriate system for South Africa. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is identified as a possible tool to aid the selection process. The study aims to demonstrate that the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is a tool that can be used to select a dry storage system option that will best meet South Africa’s needs.The study also presents the criteria to evaluate possible dry storage system options available in the international market. Pair-wise comparisons are conducted, and the ranking of the options is determined. Based on the results obtained from this study, it was demonstrated that the AHP tool can be applied to decide on the available option that will best meet South Africa’s needs.