Key to Successful Spent Fuel and

Radioactive Waste Management

Christophe XERRI

Director

Division of Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Waste Technology, Research Reactor

Atomic Energy Society of Japan

Tokyo

18 July 2019

Let’s build the Future

• Aiming at excellence today ….

• …. Supporting a nuclear vision 2050 +

For nuclear power to be sustainable as a global source

of emission-free energy

The Goal is to Develop Fuel Cycle Options and also

Decommissioning, Waste Management and Disposal

solutions that are:

Effective back-end

management todayis a success factor to

enable nuclear

tomorrow

• Economically viable

• Safe

• Environment-friendly

• Proliferation resistant

• Flexible to adapt to any policy or

societal evolution and incorporate new

technologies

Three potential scenarios in 2150Scenario I:

– NP is maintained and fuel cycle options

are implemented as today

Scenario II:

– NP significantly increases and fuel

cycle options evolve towards

multirecycling

Scenario III:

– NP gradually phased out by 2050

and final disposition strategies still

pending implementation in 2150

BE READY

Scenario I

Nuclear Power is maintained and fuel cycle options are

implemented as today

• More efficient reactors

• ATF with new cladding and matrix, higher burnups and

enrichments

• Enhancement of NFC safety and efficiency and NP

reliability with final disposition routes in place

• Disposal facilities for SF and HLW under operation

• Some countries with small nuclear programmes using

international services for recycling

• Political agreements between countries to build and

deploy common facilities for waste management

LWR Open Fuel Cycle

Nuclear Power significantly increases and fuel

cycle options evolve towards multirecycling

Scenario II

• Advanced reactors implemented

• Environment-friendly innovative fuel cycles:

– Fully closed (recycling valuable materials)

– Natural resources preservation

– Waste burden minimization

– Proliferation resistant

– Flexible to adapt to any policy evolution

UOX Fuel Used FuelUranium

Front-End

Thermal Reactor

Direct

Disposal

Uranium Fuel Cycle Options / Policies

Encapsulation and Disposal of Used Fuel

Light Water Reactors

WasteFast Reactor

Recycling

Recycled Fuel (U, Pu and minor actinides)

Used Fuel Final WasteDisposal

Reprocessing

Fast NeutronReactors

Used Fuel

Recycled Fuel (U, Pu)

WasteThermal Reactor

Recycling

Final WasteDisposal

Reprocessing

Light Water Reactors

UOX FuelUranium

Front-End

U-Pu LWR

Gen III

Recycling

Used fuel

Direct disposal

Uranium Ore (mine)

Time (years)

Pu

MA

FPs

MA

FPs

FPs

Recycling and Repositories

U-Pu recycling + MA

transmutation

Gen IV Recycling

Assuming 100% efficiency in the partitioning and transmutation of all Minor

Actinides with FRs recycling

ImPACT Programme concept (Japan)

Future: multirecycling

and more valorisation

• Storage mainly in dry systems

• SF accumulating in storage at orphan sites

• No supporting facilities for maintenance

and re-packaging if needed

• SF less self-protective

• To be aware of still having:

– Ageing management programmes

– Monitoring and inspection techniques

– Knowledge preservation

– Records preservation

– Skilled professionals

Nuclear Power gradually phased out by 2050 and final disposition strategies still pending implementation in 2150

Scenario III

Disposal

Back-End : Spent Fuel Management

• Casks:

− Modular and Sealed systems

− Circular in cross-section,

Cylindrical shape

− Heat removed by conduction,

radiation and forced or natural

convection

• Vaults:

− Modular

− Array of storage cavities

− Above or below ground level

− Heat removed by forced or

natural convection

Spent Fuel Storage Technologies,

Extended for 100 years (or more?)

Dry Storage

(Very) Long Term Storage

is not an Alternative to Recycling or Disposal

• Long-term storage means:

• “longer than usual” (~ decades)

• It is never unlimited (~ 100 years)

• It may be needed for some time:

• Extended solution for decay of some radionuclides

• Ongoing repository development

• New recycling options

• Gaining public acceptance

• However, there are constrains:• Intergenerational equity:

The option entails transferring responsibility to future

generation

• Option not sustainable “forever”:

SNF and RW remain hazardous for long period13

Joint Convention: Storage is “Holding of SNF or RW in a facility that

provides for its containment, with the intention of retrieval”.

Recycling is an industrial solution being

implemented

✓ Country Example: France - Most of spent fuel is recycled

✓ 58 NPP in operation - 1250 tHM of used fuel every year

✓ La Hague: operated since 1966; capacity 1700 tHM/yr

✓ 22 NPPs licensed for MOX fuel

✓ MELOX: MOX fuel fabrication since 1995 ; capacity 195 tHM/yr

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Spent Fuel and High Level Waste Disposal

We are doing it !

Radioactive Waste World-Wide

NPPsResearch

ReactorsDSRS

Front-End Fuel Facilities Hospitals, R&D, Disused

Sealed Sources

Decommissioning &

Environmental Remediation

NPP, Research Reactor & Back-End

OperationsPhotos courtesy of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd & NDA, UK;

Cameco Corporation.

Radioactive waste

17

• Nuclear technologies benefit people everywhere.

• Radioactive sources are used to

• sterilize food and medical instruments,

• develop improved crops and

• to diagnose and treat patients.

• Research reactors are used in

• science and

• for producing radioisotopes for medical use

• Nuclear power for electricity generation.

• As in all industrial processes, the use of nuclear technologies leads to

some waste

• To minimise risks to people and the environment (now and in the

future) all countries using nuclear technologies have the

responsibility to manage radioactive waste safely and securely.

Radioactive waste arises from many sources + solutions exist

International ConventionsJoint Convention on the Safety

of Spent Fuel Management and

the Safety of Radioactive

Waste Management

Code of Conduct on the

Safety & Security of

Radioactive Sources

European Waste

Directive

Common challenges – shared frameworks

Waste Minimization

• Reducing the amount and activity of

radioactive waste to a level as low as

reasonably achievable by:

– Reducing waste generation at source

– Recycle and reuse

Occurs at all radioactive life cycle stages

DecommissioningOperationsFacility Design

This is the

focus for

demolition

waste

Waste Hierarchy Principles

Decommissioning

Operations

Facility Design

Photos courtesy of Dounreay Site Restoration Ltd & NDA, UK

Waste Minimization

Reuse

Recycle

DisposalLeast Desirable

Most Desirable

Cradle-to-Grave Waste Management

• Radioactive Waste

Management is a National

Responsibility

• To ensure the long-term viability

and public acceptance of

nuclear energy and its

applications it is essential that

any waste generated is safely

and efficiently managed from

the point of generation through

to disposal

• The end-point is DISPOSAL

i.e., the emplacement of

radioactive waste into a facility

or location with no intention of

retrieval If reuse or recycling

cannot be implemented

Disposal

Pre

dis

po

sa

l

Pre-treatment

Treatment

Conditioning

Storage

Radioactive Waste

Pro

ce

ss

ing

Ch

ara

cte

riza

tio

n

What is an Integrated Waste

Management Strategy?

➢ Protect people and the environment

➢ Provide value for money

➢ Reduce radioactive waste liabilities

• Basic principles apply to:• All sizes and types of inventories

• Key inputs:• Knowledge of existing & future inventory

• Waste classification scheme

• Defined end-points

• A set of optimized and interlinked plans covering all

radioactive waste in a country

• A well implemented Integrated Waste Strategy will:

Why develop an Integrated

Waste Management Strategy?

Avoid

generation

of legacy

waste

Save

money

Avoid

duplication

of work

Consistent

approach

Basis for

milestones

and KPIsOptimize

Resources

Provide

R&D focus

Inform future

resource &

skill profile

Minimise

wasteAvoid

scheduling

issuesKnowledge

sharing

Integrated Waste

Strategy

Final covering of LLW disposal facility

Centre de la Manche, France

Disposal: a reality

Deep underground disposal facility

for spent fuel Onkalo, Finland

VLLW – LLW – ILW

Disposal Needs

26

A comprehensive suite of disposal

solutions is always needed to

provide safe endpoints for the entire

national inventory –

from VLLW to HLW/SNF

Surface Disposal of LLW and VLLW

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El Cabril, Spain LLW Disposal in Richland, Washington

Vaalputs, South AfricaRokkasho, Japan

Centre de la Manche, France

Morvillier, France

Deep Geological Repositories

Member States recognise the need to provide for

safe geological disposal solutions.

• Deep Geological Repository (DGR) concepts are well

developed;

• Siting considerations are being addressed;

• Safety Case and Licensing actions are proceeding;

• Understanding of technical aspects continues to grow; and

• Clear recognition of the importance of stakeholder engagement

Solid progress continues towards implementing suitable

disposal solutions for ILW, HLW and SNF.

Implementing geological disposal

Sweden

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Spent Fuel Repository at Forsmark

(Courtesy of SKB)

HLW & IL-LLW Repository at Bure

(Courtesy of Andra)

Spent Fuel Repository at Olkiluoto

(Courtesy of Posiva)

STUK (2015):

Nuclear waste

facility can be built

to be safe

France

Finland

We are doing it!Construction

license granted

Roadmap for

Disposal Facilities

Basics → Specifics → Innovations

Activity, half-life

VSLW VLLW LLW ILW HLW

CONSTRUCTION

OPERATION

DECOMMISSIONING

SITING

AND NOW ?

PHPP

A

F

PBw

Q S F

E

REDEVELOPMENT!

Redevelopment and Reuse

DISPOSAL RECYCLE

Nuclear Facility Life Cycle

Solutions adapted to the situation: DSRS in BHD

Nuclear Energy beyond 2050

• For nuclear power to be sustainable as a global

source of emission-free energy, the fuel cycle and

the life cycle should be sustainable

− Goal: Implementation of Decommissioning, Waste

Management and Disposal solutions that are:

• Economically effective

• Safe

• Consistent with societal expectations and their evolution

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Effective back-end management today

is a success factor to enable nuclear

tomorrow

Decommissioning Process

• STEP 1 - Before definitive shut down– Decommissioning plan last update, decommissioning scenario, strategy,

characterization 1

• STEP 2 – After definitive shut down• Defueling, circuit decontamination in-situ, waste evacuation, first

decommissioning works, new constructions, characterization 2….

After decommissioning license or formal authorization• Continue circuit and buildings decommissioning and new constructions in

preparation of, either reactor decommissioning or care and maintenance.

• Care and Maintenance / safe store period if deferred strategy

• STEP 3 – Reactor dismantling

• STEP 4 - Demolition and preparation to end state

• STEP 5 – License termination -> end state

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STUDIES DEFUELING PREPARATION REACTOR DISMANTLING DEMOLITION, END STATE LICENSE TERMINATION

Decommissioning LicensetransitionOperation

© IAEA

Waste

Risks

Fuel, LL, VLL ,IL W VLL, LL, IL

High Decrease Low

VLL, Conventional

SAFE STORE

What makes DECOMMISSIONING so

special

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FUNDS

Funds are available in provisions BUT have been evaluated before decommissioning implementation – OR the State

provides the funds – funds are limited; adequacy against detailed plan

No return on investment – the best is the most effective (addressing risks ad uncertainties)

DISMANTLING ACTIVITIES

Likely unexpected situations (multiple risks)

Can use existing techniques from operation (maintain the

skills)

Must develop new techniques (can take time)

© IAEA

OBJECTIVE

Objective is to leave the site with minimum constraints but the end state can be different - Unrestricted, Restricted,

Reuse (e.g. for industrial activities); Early definition of the end state (local acceptance)

SCHEDULE

Decommissioning implementation is long, “obligatory”, can be delayed any time – Knowledge management,

Stakeholders engagement, …

INSTALLATION IN DECOMMISSIONING

Has had a life before decommissioning – design, historic, existing staffing,...

Remain a Nuclear installation after shut down – regulation, safety, security, radioprotection

Characterization (design, historic, sampling)

Decontamination (in situ, in workshop)

Cutting (best technique, remote, contact)

Waste management (large volume, new type of waste)

Remediation (level, new techniques)

Nothing is impossible; however the success might be achieved if appropriate resources and skills are available

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Decommissioning waste: integrated approach

France as an example of country waste management

© IAEA

Estimates for a French PWR (apply for W Europe)

80 000 m3

10 000 m3

5 000 m3

50 m3

VLLW

Conventional

LLW

Long Lived Waste

VLLW LLW ILW

Studies

Partial decom and transition 30% 40%

Reactor dismantling 10% 30% 100%

Demolition cleaning remediation 60% 20%

De-licensing

Activity / Period Short Lived Long Lived

VLLW (Very Low

Level)

Surface disposal facility available (CSTFA,

operated in Morvilliers by ANDRA)

LLW (Low Level) Surface disposal

repository available

(CSA, operated by

ANDRA in Soulaine)

Tritiated waste under

study (law of June 28,

2006)

Subsurface disposal

facility designed for waste

containing radium and

graphite under study (law

of June 28, 2006)

ILW

(Intermediate

Level)

Waste management

solutions under study (law

of June 28, 2006)

Temporarily ICEDA

HLW (High

Level)

Waste management solutions under study (law of

June 28, 2006) Deep disposal CIGEO

INTERIM

FINAL

Challenges and issues of

decommissioning

Planning issues

Organization and implementation

Particular technical and non-technical

issues

• Policy and strategy

• Costing and funding

• Skills and knowledge

• Infrastructure (waste, transport, demolition)

• Management of changes

• Transition period

• Risk assessment and mitigation

• Project management and contracting

• Irradiated graphite

• End-state definition, instrumentation and controls

• Post-accidental facilities

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Addressing Decommissioning

• In the last decades

– Significant experience gained through

completed projects

– Advances in technologies

• Going forward

– Integrate decommissioning and waste

stream planning

– Project management

– Supply Chain

• Key words

– Expansion: to a mature industry

– Credibility: safe, timely and cost-

effective implementation

Decommissioning: an Attractive Proposition

for Smart Workforce

39

Challenges and Innovation

Do GOOD: Be Part of the Circular Economy !

From Recycling to Circular Economy

40

Almost 40% of the world copper is supplied by

recycling

An average stainless steel object is made of 60%

recycled material

58% CO2 emission saved thanks to ferrous scraps

Source: Bureau of International Recycling

Design out waste and pollution – Ellen MacArthur Foundation

From linear to circular – Accelerating a proven concept (WEF 2014)

Circular Economy Action Plan – EC – March 2019

Circular Economy, CSR and Social Dimension

During Decommissioning

• REDUCE

– Planning and Design, integrating decommissioning and waste management

– Life cycle analysis of any operation

• Characterization, Sorting, Decontamination

• Waste minimization: technical and regulatory ➔ avoid disposal

• REUSE

– Repurpose facilities, buildings and structures during decommissioning

– Send still usable equipment to another facility

– Reuse buildings and facilities for the next life – avoiding demolition

• RECYCLE

– Non radioactive materials in existing path

– Exemption and Clearance, allowing recycling in existing or dedicated path

– Recycle for new uses in nuclear industry (e.g. scrap metals)

– Spent Fuel

41

Landfills are

also a scare

resource

Closing the Loop: Knowledge Management

• From one generation to the next

• Lessons learned

• Feed-back to the design of new facilities

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Sustainable Decommissioning Mindset

• Strategic view: decommissioning as a sustainable process to support

further development of the site;

➔ Post-decommissioning future of the site to be considered as

the integral part of decommissioning planning

• CSR view: best use of the (most often taxpayer) money

• “we are not so special” view: Sustainable decommissioning lessons

might be learned from non-nuclear industries

– Availability of technologies and approaches

– Reduction of costs, uncertainties and risks.

What about you and …

•GMO

•SRAS

•Banking

•Flying in a no-pilot plane

• Identify the stakeholders

• Enable all stakeholders to make known their views

• Work together to ensure these views are considered and in so

far as possible addressed

• Enable stakeholders to understand the basis for a decision

• Build trust

Establishing this dialogue with all stakeholders is an essential

part of any complete nuclear programme and in the best

interest of all stakeholders.

It is also true for any large science or infrastructure project

Objectives of a

Stakeholder Engagement Programme

Involve the Experts in your Team

The Social Scientists

46

Let’s align with Sustainable Developments Goals

47

Thank you!

Stay Connected

Networking and eLearning

49

Networks :

https://nucleus

.iaea.org/sites/

connect/Pages

/default.aspx

eLearning:

https://nucleus.iaea.or

g/sites/connect-

members/LMS/Pages/

Module-Mindmap.aspxData Bases

Wiki

ImPACT Programme concept (Japan)

Nuclear Power significantly increases and fuel

cycle options evolve towards multirecycling

Scenario II