The 12th International Conference on Environmental ... - Events

Abstracts Session 49-50
A novel method for management of nuclear and hazardous waste eliminates the paperwork whilst ensuring electronic integrity
of the waste data. To address the changing needs, a robust off-the-shelf Waste Tracking Software (WTS) system was procured
providing the capability to track both radiological and non-radiological decommissioning wastes generated from multiple nuclear
reactor sites. This centralised real-time tracking system tracks and reports waste related actions including operational waste management
activities such as treatment, repacking and storage activities; utilises existing waste characterisation data; provides virtual
package preparation, makes available waste related information to receiving facilities, and prepares waste consignment and transportation
documentation. <strong>The</strong> WTS also supports internal and external waste reporting needs and interfaces with other database programmes.
Simply put, it is a waste management tool to control both containerised and non-containerised wastes from point of generation
to ultimate dispositioning.
4) DESIGN AND OPERATION OF THE COMBINED TECHNOLOGY AUTOMATED
WASTE CHARACTERISATION SYSTEM - 16361
J. A. Mason, M. R. Looman, and R. Price, A. N. TechnologyLtd.(UK)
This paper describes the design and operation of the Combined Technology Automated Waste Characterisation System (CTA-
WCS) at JRC Ispra. <strong>The</strong> WCS was designed for the measurement of fission products and uranium and plutonium containing waste
arising from nuclear fuel and nuclear materials processing and reactor operations. <strong>The</strong> WCS covers a range of activity including
Low and Intermediate Level Waste (LLW and ILW). <strong>The</strong> system is designed to measure the waste in 200 and 400 (440) litre drums
with a maximum drum weight of 1500 kg. Gamma-ray measurements of radio-nuclide content are performed by a gamma ray measurement
station which functions as either a Segmented Gamma Scanner (SGS) or Tomographic Segmented Gamma-ray Scanner
(TSGS). Either of these two techniques may be employed to perform the functions of drum screening, non-destructive examination
(NDE) and, where appropriate, final drum assay. Coupled to the gamma ray station is a surface dose-rate measurement station,
which employs 6-shielded Geiger-Muller detectors. Active and passive neutron measurements are performed by an advanced,
graphite lined Differential Die-away (DDA) system, which comprises the neutron measurement station. <strong>The</strong> DDA performs conventional
passive neutron totals, coincidence, and multiplicity counting and active DDA total neutron counting. Data analysis is
based on the use of a range of matrix calibrations, some determined by Monte Carlo analysis. Linking the gamma ray and neutron
measurement stations is an automated roller conveyor with a 20 drum buffer capability and a weight measurement station. Drums
are identified by bar code reading technology. Once loaded, the system performs automatic assay of up to 20 drums and then returns
the drums to the buffer position on the conveyor. <strong>The</strong> first WCS of this type was supplied to the European Commission at the Joint
Research Centre (JRC) Ispra in northern Italy and it was commissioned at the end of 2007. It is now in a phase of pilot operation.
Results will be presented from the first drum measurement campaign.
SESSION 50 - QUALITY ASSURANCE AND CONTROL IN RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
1) CONTROL OF MATERIALS HARMFUL TO WATER IN THE GERMAN KONRAD REPOSITORY - 16125
Karin Kugel, Stefan Steyer, Peter Berneckee, Bundesamt fuer Strahlenschutz (BfS (Germany);
Detlef Gruendler, Wilma Boetsch, Claudia Haider, ISTec GmbH (Germany)
In order to avoid a pollution of the near surface ground water during the post closure phase of the Konrad repository the acceptable
amount of material harmful to water in the radioactive waste is restricted. For this purpose the KONRAD plan approval order
includes waste requirements referring to the German water law (water law permission).
Our contribution is subdivided into three parts.
In the first part the water law permission for the KONRAD repository is introduced. This permission contains a list of materials
harmful to water with the respective limitations in mass and many instructions and proposals regarding the registering and balancing
of these materials as well as quality assurance aspects.
<strong>The</strong> second part deals with the implementation of the water law permission in the waste acceptance criteria. <strong>The</strong> waste producer
has to describe his waste in a standardized way with respect to the material composition. <strong>The</strong> operator of the repository has to
check this description and to register and balance the materials and substances harmful to water. This procedure is based on a standardized
list of materials and a list of containers.
<strong>The</strong> list of materials contains all materials and substances which may occur in the radioactive wastes. For each material in the
list a comprehensive description, the composition, hazard information, thresholds and other data are stated. <strong>The</strong> list of container
includes all containers and packages used for the final disposal of radioactive waste.
In our contribution both lists are introduced. <strong>The</strong> approach for the standardized description as well as the registering and balancing
procedures of the materials harmful to water are described.
In the third part quality assurance measures used for the proof of the compliance with the acceptance criteria (with respect to
the water law permission) are described. In particular objective of the quality assurance, possible quality assurance procedures and
acceptable margins are dealt with.
2) DOSE VALIDATION IN THE DUTCH INTERIM WASTE STORAGE FACILITY - 16263
Jeroen Welbergen, Leo P.M. Van Velzen, Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group (Switzerland)
All radioactive waste in the Netherlands is collected by COVRA (acronym for Central Organisation for Radioactive Waste)
that operates a facility for treatment of waste including interim storage buildings for HLW, LILW and TENORM (Calcinate and
U3O8).
Like many other waste management organisations, COVRA developed and adopted different waste storage strategies for different
types of waste. <strong>The</strong> basis of all strategies is Isolation, Control and Surveillance (ICS), a principle aimed at minimization of
dose to operators and the public alike. <strong>The</strong> stacking of waste in the storage buildings directly follows from this principle. To minimize
radiation exposure of employees, waste is stacked in blocks. In these block the packages with low dose rates are placed on
the outside and are shielding packages with higher dose rates and neutron sources inside. <strong>The</strong> packages with the lowest dose rate
are stacked against the outer walls to minimize radiation into the environment.
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