Technical concept of disposal for very low-level, low-level and short-lived intermediate-level radioactive waste of the Belarusian NPP

Abstract

The paper briefly presents the principal technical solutions for radioactive waste disposal facilities (RWDF), as well as for auxiliary buildings, structures and engineering systems for this RWDF, which ensure safe and economically feasible disposal of radioactive waste (RW) generated from two units of the Belarusian NPP during 60 years of operation and during decommissioning. The suggested conceptual RWDF design includes an assessment of its radiation safety during operation and long-term post-closure safety. It is shown that the suggested RWDF concept ensures safe RW disposal in the period of potential danger of RW taking into account possible external impacts of natural and man-made origin. The aggregate technical and economic parameters of the suggested RWDF project were evaluated both in general and for the first stage of construction. The RW total activity that can be placed in a RWDF, provided the long-term safety of the RWDF is ensured, is 9.0·1014 Bq, including α-emitters – 6.8·109 Bq, transuranium radionuclides – 6.8·109 Bq; for very low-level waste – 4.1·109 Bq. Taking into account the achieved level of detailing of technical solutions in the conceptual design, it can be used at the stage of object design.