GROUPING IN PARTITIONING OF HLW FOR BURNING AND OR TRANSMUTATION WITHNUCLEAR-REACTORS/

A basic concept on partitioning and transmutation treatment by neutron reaction was developed in order to improve the waste management and t he disposal scenario of high level waste (HLW). The grouping in partit ioning was important factor and closely linked with the characteristic s of B/T (burning and/or transmutation) treatment. The selecting and g rouping concept in partitioning of HLW was proposed herein, such as Gr oup MA1 (Np, Am, and unrecovered U and Pu), Group MA2 (Cm, Cf etc.), G roup A (Tc and I), Group B (Cs and Sr) and Group R (the partitioned re main of HLW), judging from the three criteria for B/T treatment propos ed in this study, which is related to (1) the value of hazard index fo r long-term tendency based on ALI, (2) the relative dose factor relate d to the mobility or retardation in ground water penetrated through ge ologic layer, and (3) burning and/or transmutation characteristics for recycle B/T treatment and the decay acceleration ratio by neutron rea ction. Group MA1 and Group A could be burned effectively by thermal B/ T reactor. Group MA2 could be burned effectively by fast B/T reactor. Transmutation of Group B by neutron reaction is difficult, therefore t he development of radiation application of Group B (Cs and Sr) in indu strial scale may be an interesting option in the future. Group R, i.e. the partitioned remains of HLW, and also a part of Group B should be immobilized and solidified by the glass matrix: HIALI, the hazard inde x based on ALI, due to radiotoxicity of Group R can be lower:than HIAL I due to standard mill tailing (smt) or uranium ore after about 300 ye ars.