Establish Regulatory System and Case Study Database for Deep Geological Disposal System

Jeong Hyun Lee,Sunggyun Jang,Sang Hun Jeon,Gun Hee Kim,Ji Eun Shin,Si On Kim,Won-Seok Kim 한국방사성폐기물학회 2022 한국방사성폐기물학회 학술논문요약집 Vol.20 No.2

Kori-1, the nuclear power plants in South Korea, first started operation in April 1978 and was suspended permanently in 2017. The saturation rate time of spent nuclear fuel generated by major nuclear power plants operating in Korea are getting closer. If we fail to dispose spent nuclear fuel, which is equivalent to high-level radioactive waste, the nuclear power plants will have to be shutdown. High-level radioactive waste is permanently disposed through a deep geological disposal system because it contains long-term half-life nuclides and emits high energy. To select the deep geological disposal site and construct the disposal facilities, it is necessary to establish appropriate regulatory policies accordingly. The status of database construction in OECD-NEA, NRC, SITEX, and IAEA, which provides safety regulations for deep geological disposal system, stipulates each requirement for dismantling nuclear power plants. However, details such as specific figures are not specified, and guidelines for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes are not clearly distinguished. In Korea, the CYPRUS program, an integrated database system, has been developed to support comprehensive performance evaluation for high-level waste disposal. However, due to several difficult situations, maintenance and upgrades have not been performed, so the research results exist only in the form of raw data and the new research results have not been reflected. Other than that, there is no preemptive basis for regulating the deep geological disposal system. With real-time database, we can develop a regulatory system for the domestic deep disposal system by systematically analyzing the regulatory condition and regulatory case data of international organizations and foreign leading countries. The database system processed and stored primary data collected from nuclear safety reports and other related data. In addition, we used relational database and designed table to maximize time and space efficiency. It is provided in the form of a web service so that multiple users can easily find the data they want at the same time. Based on these technologies, this study established a database system by analyzing the legal systems, regulatory standards, and cases of major foreign leading countries such as Sweden, Finland, the United States, and Japan. This database aims to organize data for each safety case component and further prepare a safety regulatory framework for each stage of development of disposal facilities suitable for the domestic environment.

Analyses on Thermal Stability and Structural Integrity of the Improved Disposal Systems for Spent Nuclear Fuels in Korea

Jongyoul Lee,Hyeona Kim,Inyoung Kim,Heuijoo Choi,Dongkeun Cho 한국방사성폐기물학회 2020 방사성폐기물학회지 Vol.18 No.S

With respect to spent nuclear fuels, disposal containers and bentonite buffer blocks in deep geological disposal systems are the primary engineered barrier elements that are required to isolate radioactive toxicity for a long period of time and delay the leakage of radio nuclides such that they do not affect human and natural environments. Therefore, the thermal stability of the bentonite buffer and structural integrity of the disposal container are essential factors for maintaining the safety of a deep geological disposal system. The most important requirement in the design of such a system involves ensuring that the temperature of the buffer does not exceed 100℃ because of the decay heat emitted from high-level wastes loaded in the disposal container. In addition, the disposal containers should maintain structural integrity under loads, such as hydraulic pressure, at an underground depth of 500 m and swelling pressure of the bentonite buffer. In this study, we analyzed the thermal stability and structural integrity in a deep geological disposal environment of the improved deep geological disposal systems for domestic light-water and heavy-water reactor types of spent nuclear fuels, which were considered to be subject to direct disposal. The results of the thermal stability and structural integrity assessments indicated that the improved disposal systems for each type of spent nuclear fuel satisfied the temperature limit requirement (< 100℃) of the disposal system, and the disposal containers were observed to maintain their integrity with a safety ratio of 2.0 or higher in the environment of deep disposal.

해외국가별 고준위방사성폐기물 처분 후보부지 조사를 위한 기준 분석

나태유 ( Taeyoo Na ),채병곤 ( Byung-gon Chae ),박의섭 ( Eui-seob Park ),김민준 ( Min-jun Kim ) 대한지질공학회 2024 지질공학 Vol.34 No.1

고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분은 국가의 안전과 환경 보호를 위해 필수적이며, 각 나라의 지질학적, 사회적 환경에 적합한 부지선정기준의 확립은 이 과정에서 중요한 단계이다. 논문의 목적은 고준위방사성폐기물의 심층처분 부지를 확보하는 과정에서 국가별로 적용되는 다양한 지질학적 및 사회적 선정기준을 비교분석하는 것이다. 이 연구에서는 고준위방사성폐기물 처분 선도국들이 설정한 부지선정기준을 중심으로 비교분석을 수행하였으며, 각 국가별 선정기준 분석결과, 국가별 지질조건 및 환경을 반영한 선정기준을 차별적으로 설정하였음을 확인하였다. 연구의 결과는 우리나라의 고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분 부지선정기준 마련에 중요한 기반 자료로 활용될 수 있을 것이며, 국가의 지속 가능한 발전과 환경 보호에 이바지하게 될 것으로 기대된다. Deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste is imperative to national safety and environmental protection and it relies on establishing siting criteria suited to the geological and social conditions of each country. This paper compares the various geological and social criteria applied by different countries in the process of securing sites for the deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The present comparative analysis considers the siting criteria established by the worlds leading countries in high-level radioactive waste disposal with the aims of establishing detailed criteria appropriate to Korea’s conditions and applying the criteria to explore safe and suitable sites for deep geological disposal. The findings of this research are expected to serve as a foundation for establishing criteria for the selection of disposal sites for high-level radioactive waste in Korea and are anticipated to contribute significantly to sustainable national development and environmental protection.

Confidence Improvement of Disposal Safety by Development of a Safety Case for High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

Min Hoon Baik,Nak-Youl Ko,Jongtae Jeong,Kyung-Su Kim 한국방사성폐기물학회 2016 방사성폐기물학회지 Vol.14 No.4

고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분에서 처분안전성의 신뢰도를 향상시킬 수 있는 방안으로 그리고 처분 프로그램 개발 및 인허가를 위해 많은 나라들에서 자국에 적합한 safety case를 개발하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 방사성폐기물 처분을 위한 safety case 의 의의, 필요성, 개발과정들을 정리하고 소개하였다. 그리고 처분안전성을 safety case의 다양한 측면에서 논의하였다. 아울러 스위스, 일본, 미국, 스웨덴, 핀란드 등 해외의 safety case 개발 현황과 현재 KAERI에서 개발 중인 safety case의 개발전략을 간략히 소개하였다. 고준위방사성폐기물 처분안전성의 신뢰도 향상을 위해 safety case 기반 하에서 어떤 노력들이필요한지를 분석하였다. 그리고 국내 상황을 반영하여 신뢰할 수 있는 정보자료의 구축, 안전성 관련 과정들의 이해, 안전성평가의 불확실성 저감, 이해당사자와의 의사소통, 공정성과 투명성 확보 등의 실행 방안을 제안하고 논의하였다. 본 논문에제시된 내용들은 심층처분 safety case를 이해하고, 국내에서 개발하고 있는 고준위방사성폐기물 처분 safety case 개발을 통한 처분안전성 신뢰도 향상에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다. Many countries have developed a safety case suitable to their own countries in order to improve the confidence of disposal safety in deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste as well as to develop a disposal program and obtain its license. This study introduces and summarizes the meaning, necessity, and development process of the safety case for radioactive waste disposal. The disposal safety is also discussed in various aspects of the safety case. In addition, the status of safety case development in the foreign countries is briefly introduced for Switzerland, Japan, the United States of America, Sweden, and Finland. The strategy for the safety case development that is being developed by KAERI is also briefly introduced. Based on the safety case, we analyze the efforts necessary to improve confidence in disposal safety for high-level radioactive waste. Considering domestic situations, we propose and discuss some implementing methods for the improvement of disposal safety, such as construction of a reliable information database, understanding of processes related to safety, reduction of uncertainties in safety assessment, communication with stakeholders, and ensuring justice and transparency. This study will contribute to the understanding of the safety case for deep geological disposal and to improving confidence in disposal safety through the development of the safety case in Korea for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste.

고준위방사성폐기물 처분 Safety Case 개발을 통한 처분안전성 신뢰도 향상

백민훈,고낙열,정종태,김경수 한국방사성폐기물학회 2016 방사성폐기물학회지 Vol.14 No.4

Many countries have developed a safety case suitable to their own countries in order to improve the confidence of disposal safety in deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste as well as to develop a disposal program and obtain its license. This study introduces and summarizes the meaning, necessity, and development process of the safety case for radioactive waste disposal. The disposal safety is also discussed in various aspects of the safety case. In addition, the status of safety case development in the foreign countries is briefly introduced for Switzerland, Japan, the United States of America, Sweden, and Finland. The strategy for the safety case development that is being developed by KAERI is also briefly introduced. Based on the safety case, we analyze the efforts necessary to improve confidence in disposal safety for high-level radioactive waste. Considering domestic situations, we propose and discuss some implementing methods for the improvement of disposal safety, such as construction of a reliable information database, understanding of processes related to safety, reduction of uncertainties in safety assessment, communication with stakeholders, and ensuring justice and transparency. This study will contribute to the understanding of the safety case for deep geological disposal and to improving confidence in disposal safety through the development of the safety case in Korea for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste. 고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분에서 처분안전성의 신뢰도를 향상시킬 수 있는 방안으로 그리고 처분 프로그램 개발 및 인허가를 위해 많은 나라들에서 자국에 적합한 safety case를 개발하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 방사성폐기물 처분을 위한 safety case 의 의의, 필요성, 개발과정들을 정리하고 소개하였다. 그리고 처분안전성을 safety case의 다양한 측면에서 논의하였다. 아울러 스위스, 일본, 미국, 스웨덴, 핀란드 등 해외의 safety case 개발 현황과 현재 KAERI에서 개발 중인 safety case의 개발전략을 간략히 소개하였다. 고준위방사성폐기물 처분안전성의 신뢰도 향상을 위해 safety case 기반 하에서 어떤 노력들이필요한지를 분석하였다. 그리고 국내 상황을 반영하여 신뢰할 수 있는 정보자료의 구축, 안전성 관련 과정들의 이해, 안전성평가의 불확실성 저감, 이해당사자와의 의사소통, 공정성과 투명성 확보 등의 실행 방안을 제안하고 논의하였다. 본 논문에제시된 내용들은 심층처분 safety case를 이해하고, 국내에서 개발하고 있는 고준위방사성폐기물 처분 safety case 개발을 통한 처분안전성 신뢰도 향상에 기여할 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

A Current Status of Natural Analogues Programs in Nations Considering High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

임현숙,정다운,백민훈,류지훈 한국방사성폐기물학회 2023 방사성폐기물학회지 Vol.21 No.1

Several countries have been operating radioactive waste disposal (RWD) programs to construct their own repositories and have used natural analogues (NA) studies directly or indirectly to ensure the reliability of the long-term safety of deep geological disposal (DGD) systems. A DGD system in Korea has been under development, and for this purpose a generic NA study is necessary. The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute has just launched the first national NA R&D program in Korea to identify the role of NA studies and to support the safety case in the RWD program. In this article, we review some cases of NA studies carried out in advanced countries considering crystalline rocks as candidate host rocks for high-level radioactive waste disposal. We examine the differences among these case studies and their roles in reflecting each country’s disposal repository design. The legal basis and roadmap for NA studies in each country are also described. However because the results of this analysis depend upon different environmental conditions, they can be only used as important data for establishing various research strategies to strengthen the NA study environment for domestic disposal system research in Korea.

고준위 방사성폐기물 심층처분을 위한 우라늄의 지구미생물학적 거동 연구

이종운,정명채 한국자원공학회 2022 한국자원공학회지 Vol.59 No.6

Recently, studies on geological environment evaluation and rock characterization using geological and rock engineering approaches have been actively conducted to enable deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in Korea. However, considering that radionuclides have a long half-life and they must be isolated from the biosphere for a long time, their long-term leakage after disposal must be considered. Geochemical and geomicrobiological studies should be included to reduce the risk of nuclides contaminating the biosphere after passing through engineered barriers. In this paper, we summarize the effects of microbes on the geochemical behavior of uranium, including the theory of microbiological reduction and adsorption; the latest research data in this filed; and the technological possibility of application in radioactive waste disposal. It is expected that the long-term stability of the repository sites may be fully secured when the geomicrobiological effects on the nuclides’ behavior are considered during the site selection and repository construction stages.

고준위방사성폐기물 심층처분을 위한 해외국가의 부지개발체계 사례 분석

나태유,채병곤,박의섭 대한지질학회 2023 지질학회지 Vol.59 No.3

To secure a site for constructing deep geological disposal facilities for High Level Radioactive Waste (HLW), it is important to first establish a phased site development process that aligns with the requirements and criteria outlined in the relevant legal framework. This paper reviews the site development process proposed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and analyzes the legal structures and phased site development procedures in leading nations for HLW disposal: Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, France, Germany, and Japan. Furthermore, based on the analysis, the distinct legal standards and site selection processes for each country have been examined. Upon reviewing international case studies, it is evident that each nation has developed and implemented laws, methods, and technologies tailored to their specific circumstances, geological conditions, and requirements. The successful cases of Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, and France emphasize the critical importance of effective communication with local communities and residents. Transparency in the process ensures a comprehensive understanding of disposal safety, addressing the challenges of community acceptance in the final site selection. Insights from comparing the site selection cases in these leading countries are anticipated to provide invaluable data and information for devising an optimized site development system tailored to Korea's conditions and realities. 고준위방사성폐기물 심층 처분시설을 건설하기 위한 처분 부지확보를 위해서는 이와 관련된 법적 체제 내에명시된 요구사항 및 기준에 따라 적합한 단계별 부지개발체계 정립이 선행되어야 한다. 본 논문에서는 국제원자력기구(IAEA)가 제안한 부지개발체계 및 해외 고준위 방사성폐기물 처분 선도국인 스웨덴, 핀란드, 스위스, 프랑스, 독일, 일본의 부지선정을 위한 법적 체제와 단계별 부지개발체계 사례를 분석하였다. 또한, 분석 결과를 토대로 국가별 법적 기준과 부지선정 절차의 특징 및 차이를 살펴보았다. 해외사례를 살펴본 결과 각국은 자국의 상황에 따른 법안과 지질환경 및 조건에 적합한 방법 및 기술을 개발하여 적용하였으며, 최종 고준위방사성폐기물 처분 부지선정에 성공한 스웨덴, 핀란드, 스위스, 프랑스의 사례에서 지역사회 및 주민과의 소통, 절차의 투명성을 통해 처분 안전성에 대한 충분한 이해를 확보하여 주민 수용성의 문제를 해결하는 것이 최종 부지선정에 매우 중요한 요건임을 확인하였다. 해외 선도국들의 처분 부지선정 사례 비교분석 결과는 향후 우리나라의 실정이나 조건에 최적화된 부지개발체계를 정립하는데 유용한 자료와 정보를 제공할 것으로 기대된다.

Geochemical Characteristics of Granite From KURT for Sorption and Diffusion Experiments

Nak Kyu Kim,Chung-Kyun Park,Jae-Kwang Lee,Seonggyu Choi,Jang-Soon Kwon 한국방사성폐기물학회 2022 한국방사성폐기물학회 학술논문요약집 Vol.20 No.1

The deep geological repository consisting of a multi-barrier system (engineered and natural barriers) is generally designed to isolate the high-level radioactive waste. The natural barrier is outermost portion to secure safety of the disposal. Crystalline rocks are considered for potential geological repository media to retard and inhibit the migration of radionuclides when the radionuclides leak from the canister and break through the engineered barrier. Sorption and diffusion processes play a major role in retardation of the radionuclides in deep underground environment. In order to evaluate the migration of radionuclides in the safety assessment or geochemical modelling, distribution coefficient and diffusivity of radionuclides are required as input data. In this study, we performed mineralogical and geochemical analysis for a crystalline rock (e.g., granite) to use the sorption and diffusion experiment. The fresh rock samples are obtained from a deep core samples (DB-2) drilled up to 1 km from the surface at KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) site. For the optical and microscopic examination, thin sections of the rock sample were provided. The rock samples were crushed into powder size to analyze major and trace elements of the whole-rock aliquots. The powdered specimens also used for mineral identification and measurement of specific surface area. The major constituent minerals of the granite are plagioclase, quartz, and K-feldspar and the minor minerals are phlogopite, biotite, and chlorite. According to the results of geochemical analysis, the granite specimens generally contain more than 70wt% of SiO2 and 8wt% of total alkali oxides (Na2O + K2O). The trace elements normalized to primitive mantle compositions show positive Cs, Rb, U, K, and Pb anomalies and negative Nb and Ti anomalies. The rock samples have an average density of 2.62 g·cm?3 and an average porosity of 0.222%. The crushed samples represent the specific surface area of 0.2087 m2·g?1 for the 75–150 μm fraction and 0.1616 m2·g?1 for the 150–300 μm fraction by BET method, respectively. The granite specimens will be used for the sorption and diffusion experiments to evaluate the radionuclides’ geochemical behaviors. The mineralogical and geochemical properties provided in this study can be useful in understanding the sorption and diffusion processes of significant radionuclides under the geological disposal environments.

사용후핵연료 처분시설 부지조사를 위한 물리탐사 수행지침서 작성 사례 : 항공전자탐사와 탄성파 반사법탐사 중심으로

공남영,김학수,문윤섭,한만호 한국지구물리.물리탐사학회 2024 지구물리와 물리탐사 Vol.27 No.1

사용후핵연료 심층처분 부지조사는 그 중요성과 특수성을 고려할 때, 터널, 교량 등과 같은 일반적인 지반조사와는 달리 높은 수준의 품질관리가 요구된다. 본 논문에서는 단계별 부지조사에 적용할 물리탐사 기법을 선정하고, 탐사방법별 물리탐사 수행지침서를 작성한 사례를 소개하고자 한다. 물리탐사 수행지침서는 탐사계획, 자료획득, 자료처리 및 해석의 수행 절차와 고려사항 및 품질관리에 대한 내용이 포함되어 있으며, 이 중 항공전자탐사와 탄성파 반사법탐사 내용을 간략히 정리하였다. Considering importance and specificity, site investigations for deep geological disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel require stringent quality control, unlike general geotechnical investigations for tunnels and bridges. In this study, we present a case of selecting geophysical survey method for individual site investigation stage and preparing geophysical survey guideline. The proposed geophysical survey guidelines include procedures, considerations, and quality control for exploration planning, data acquisition, data processing, and interpretation. They comprehensively summarize the contents of airborne electromagnetic survey and seismic reflection survey.