On In-Situ Disposal of ChNPP Facilities

Abstract

The paper considers the possibility of applying in-situ disposal practice for Chornobyl exclusion zone facilities, in particular: ChNPP-1-3 that are under decommissioning, Shelter, RWDS ChNPP Stage III and RWDS Pidlisny. It was concluded that these facilities would not reach safety level over the next 300 years sufficient for clearance from regulatory control. In-situ disposal of ChNPP-1-3 would lead to a potential hazard related to a large amount of irradiated reactor graphite. Artificial barriers of concrete and bulk clay will not provide isolation of radionuclides, primarily radiocarbon, from the environment.
 The paper considers possible natural factors, the effect of which for the time required for the decay of radionuclides to acceptable level, can lead to destruction of surface storage facilities on ChNPP site. Such factors are as follows: probable transformation of Pripyat river valley; seismic influence related to both strong earthquakes in the Vrancea Zone (Romania) and the influence of local seismic centre. It raises issues connected with considering climate change, duration of and change in climate cycles for safety justification of in-situ disposal practices for ChNPP facilities. It was concluded that at this time it is impossible, to prove safety of surface burial on ChNPP site for the period of tens of thousands of years, since a number of external factors have probabilistic nature.