Euradwaste '08 - EU Bookshop - Europa

SESSION V: Partitioning and transmutation and its impact on geological disposal
Chairman: Dr Ved Bhatnagar, Unit ‘Fission’, European Commission, DG Research
Introduction and objective
Increasingly the buzz of the renaissance of nuclear power is in the air in Europe. This renewed interest
is a manifestation of growing disquiet about carbon pollution, mounting demands for cleaner
air, security, sustainability and diversification of energy supply. However, a lack of more permanent
waste management solutions is one of the most important factors that are hindering the acceptance
of nuclear energy. How does one convince politicians and the public at large that solutions at
hand to dispose of the long-lived waste in underground geological sites are safe? Naturally, the
NIMBY, ‘not-in-my-backyard’, syndrome persists. Perhaps, by partitioning (chemical separation)
and transmutation (radionuclide conversion), it would be possible to extract the energy-bearing
component of waste, reduce its volume (increasing effectively the capacity of repositories) as well
as reduce the long-lived component of waste by transmutation. Such a scheme may contribute to
help alleviate the fear of the public concerning the longevity of the waste to be disposed of. Besides
partitioning processes and transmutation of waste by accelerator-driven systems (ADS), generation
IV safe nuclear reactor concepts that burn waste and produce fuel for further use are poised to contribute
effectively in transmutation activities.
The objective of the session on partitioning and transmutation (P&T) is to instigate a lively debate
about the various options dealing with the waste management for sustainability of nuclear power.
The session will have four invited speakers outlining the P&T activities in the EU together with
scenarios implementing P&T and its impact on geological disposal. The session will be concluded
by a panel discussion entitled Radioactive waste management – burn or bury?
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