Nuclear Waste Disposal Problem Research Articles

Risk Perception Shadows

The effects of radiation on humans are not clearly understood or agreed upon by scientists. Thus in any situation involving potential risk from radiation, the scientific assessment of facts—"probabilistic risk assessment"—is almost always disputed among experts. The public's assessment of risk—" risk perception"—is made even more complex by the many types of radiation and the fact that radiation is closely associated with controversial issues such as the potential of nuclear war and waste disposal problems. Given this milieu, the public has few firm standards against which to test their own perceptions of what radiation will or will not do to them and what can or cannot be done. to protect them from radioactivity. It is argued here that two factors—previous experience with analogous projects, and existing levels of trust in companies and agencies associated with radio activity—are important informing the public's radio activity—related risk perception

Geostatistical approach to the study of induced damage around underground rock excavations

The problem of nuclear waste disposal has emphasized the need for research on blast-induced damage around underground excavations. This paper shows how geostatistical methods might be used to delineate zones of damage when the systematic rock testing approach is used. Some basic concepts of the theory of regionalized variables are presented and then illustrated by a typical application. The conclusions drawn from the latter using the theory of regionalized variables are quite different from those drawn from a previously published study based on the same data but using conventional statistical methods. Key words: rock mechanics, regionalized variable, induced damage, geostatistics, dilatometer.

Application of an Automated Procedure for Adding a Comprehensive Sensitivity Calculation Capability to the ORIGEN2 Point Depletion and Radioactive Decay Code

An application of an automated procedure called GRESS for adding derivative-taking capability to FORTRAN computer codes is presented. The efficiency and usefulness of GRESS for enhancing the point depletion and radioactive decay code ORIGEN2 are discussed. A new version of ORIGEN2 is now available that has the capability of calculating first derivatives and sensitivities of any variable in the code with respect to any other variable. The capabilities of the enhanced version, ORIGEN2G, are exemplified by its use in a sensitivity study of a high-level nuclear waste disposal problem. By using GRESS, the enhanced version ORIGEN2G was produced, tested, and verified in 2 man-months compared to an estimated 1 to 2 man-yr of effort to program a code with comparable capabilities.

Social and Economic Aspects of Radioactive Waste Disposal: Considerations for Institutional Management

The problem of nuclear waste disposal has always been recognized as one that is as much political as it is technical. This could explain why the National Academy of Science is just now showing interest in the social and economic aspects of nuclear waste disposal. It has just now issued a report called Social Aspects of Radioactive Waste Disposal: Considerations for Industrial Management. This article is a critical review of the content of this report.

A probabilistic rejection test for multivariable sensitivity analysis

A probabilistic rejection test for multivariable sensitivity analysis is presented. The test is applied by randomly changing all the assumed unimportant (those having low sensitivity values) input parameters simultaneously and calculating the appropriate response. It is shown that by repeating this procedure N times, where N is much smaller than the number of input parameters, it is possible to assign a probability limit to the assumption that a high sensitivity parameter exists. The application of the test is demonstrated in a nuclear waste disposal problem.

The nuclear waste disposal problem — An overview from a geological and geochemical perspective

In this paper we present a brief review of nuclear waste disposal research from a geological and geochemical perspective. Examples were chosen to illustrate both laboratory and field aspects of nuclear waste disposal and to show how these could be linked together by geological analogy and observation. This strategy of linking geological observations and laboratory experiments, and tailoring the disposal concept to simulate the more attractive features of the geology, should give greater credence to the overall performance assessment of a nuclear waste disposal system.

Nuclear waste disposal in space: Implications of advanced space transportation

Previous studies have shown that the disposal of nuclear waste in space is promising as a practical and economically plausible option, based on use of the first generation space shuttle. The promise brightens if we consider use of more effective second generation systems such as fully reusable single-stage-to-orbit transports. These vehicles, with simpler more reliable flight characteristics and with operational economics at least twenty times more favorable than the first shuttle, can become available in the early 1990s when the nuclear waste problem will have grown to truly serious proportions. This paper surveys both vertical and horizontal-takeoff vehicles as they could be used for the Earth-to-orbit phase of nuclear waste disposal mission. The international nature of the nuclear waste issue is emphasized, and the suggestion is made that an international equatorial launch site be established. This launch center, apart from its inherent safety features, would serve as a focus for an international solution of the truly worldwide problem of nuclear waste disposal.

California nuclear waste controversy rages on

The California Energy Commission has voted to appeal recent court decision that declared unconstitutional California law linking future nuclear power plant construction in the state to satisfactory solution of the nuclear waste disposal problem. The vote was unanimous—four to zero. It would have been four to one, but Alan Pasternak, the one strong pronuclear advocate on the commission, was in Atlanta when the vote was taken. He was there telling meeting of the Atomic Industrial Forum (AIF) how California's linkage law has hurt the state and how similar laws could hurt the U.S. It may be no more than coincidental that, when he returned to California, Pasternak announced that he was resigning from the California Energy Commission effective June 30. Three years ago, the state legislature passed law that blocks new nuclear power plant construction in the state until there is a demonstrated technology or means for the disposal of ...

Uncertainty as an excuse for cheating our children: The case of nuclear wastes

Harming distant generations is typically an uncertain danger. Philosophers and economists use that uncertainty to excuse ignoring or discounting such dangers. Working within this orthodoxy, I firstly establish limits on the extent to which uncertainty can excuse such practices; and I find reasons for believing that problems of nuclear waste disposal might well breach those limits. Secondly, I show that the orthodoxy is appropriate only to modest forms of uncertainty. More profound uncertainty, characteristic of the nuclear waste problem in particular and distant futures in general, demands different decision rules which again argue for greater consideration of the interests of future generations.

Nuclear Waste Disposal: Two Social Criteria

Two criteria--technical irreversibility and site multiplicity--have been suggested for use in establishing standards for the disposal of nuclear wastes. They have been constructed specifically to address the reduction of future risk in the face of inherent uncertainty concerning the social and political developments that might occur over the required periods of waste isolation, to provide for safe disposal without the requirement of a guaranteed future ability to recognize, detect, or repair errors and failures. Decisions as to how to apply or weigh these criteria in conjunction with other waste management goals must be made by societies and their governments. The purpose of this paper was not to preempt this process, but to construct a framework that facilitates consideration of the ethical and normative components of the problem of nuclear waste disposal. The minimum ethical obligation of a waste disposal plan is to examine most thoroughly the potential consequences of present actions, to acknowledge them openly, and to minimize the potential for irremediable harm. An ethically sound waste management policy must reflect not only our knowledge and skills, but our limitations as well.