EC long-term studies on fusion waste management

Fusion waste management studies described here were carried out by three or ganizations within SEAFP-2 (safety and environmental assessment of fusion p ower), the long-term S & E action of the European Fusion Technology Program me. The three reactor models investigated, PM-1, PM-2, PM-3, have a power o f 3000 MWth, have differing designs for all in-vessel components, but are a ssumed to be identical for all ex-vessel components. Neutronics and activat ion calculations were performed by UKAEA. Neutron induced activation and tr ansmutation were derived from the inventory code FISPACT-97 and the EAF-97 cross-section library. Two waste management strategies were examined. The s trategy employed by Studsvik Radwaste AB disregarded recycling and clearanc e and investigated disposal of fusion waste in repositories for fission was te. The German sites of Konrad and G6rleben and, alternatively, the Swedish sites of SFR and SFIL were been assumed as reference repositories. The str ategy adopted by the Joint Research Centre, analysed recycling and clearanc e. Hands-on and remote handling recycling were assumed to be feasible if co ntact dose rate limits were fulfilled. Feasibility of clearance was assesse d from limits to the specific activities of radionuclides contained in the waste, that took into account also their potential biological hazard. (C) 2 000 Published by Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.