Post on 25-Nov-2021
Dr. TENG IYU LIN & NORAISHAH PUNGUT Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB)
Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
MALAYSIA
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT (RWM) ACTIVITIES
IN MALAYSIA
Regional Workshop On Development Of National Policy And Strategy For Radioactive Waste Management,
IAEA, Vienna 24-28 March 2014
http://www.aelb.gov.my
CONTENT
1. Regulatory Body
regulatory framework
RWM policy and strategy
current practice – radioactive waste management
2. Nuclear legal frame and related conventions, including the export/import of SF, RW and DSRS
3. Overview of facilities which generate radioactive waste
4. RW and SF inventory and waste classification
5. Future plan (Public Awareness, BOSS, decommissioning & remediation)
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1. REGULATORY BODY
AELB is responsible to control and supervise the radioactive waste management in Malaysia, including the potential radioactivity harm to human and the environment
Atomic Energy Licensing Board (Board) was established under Section 3 of the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304) on 1 February 1985.
Minister of Science had given the power to appoint the member of the Board based on the specific requirements under the Act.
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The organizational structure of AELB
Nuclear
Installation
Division
Policy, Code &
Standard Division
Technical
Support Division
Administrative
Services Division
Standing
Safety
Committee
Sub-
standing
Safety
Committee
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1)ACT: Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304), already stated in Part VI – Disposal of Radioactive Waste. It cover the control of disposal procedure & accumulation of radioactive waste in the country (to be read with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for the non-radiological waste discharge & disposal).
2)REGULATIONS: In an attempt to improve effectiveness of regulating the radioactive waste management in the country, together with an IAEA effort to enhance safety of radioactive waste management in member states, AELB had developed “Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011 and the translation”. [Note: Section 68, Act 304 – Provisions to make Regulations & shall be approved by the minister]
3)POLICY: Currently, RWM policy is based on the “Interim Policy” of RWM, that has been endorsed on 24 August 1990. This interim policy is parallel with the “Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011”. In addition, on 29 Feb 2008, the IAEA Safety Fundamental SF-1 had also been adopted in addition to the Radioactive
Waste Management Policy.
Regulatory Framework
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• Regulations provide more detailed
provisions entrusted by the Act.
• Provides guides, codes and standards
to comply with and achieve goals
imposed in regulations
Hierarchy of Malaysian Legal System
• Act provides for the basic law for
regulation and control of atomic
energy, for establishment of
standards on liability for nuclear
damage and for matters connected
therewith or related thereto.
Orders and
Conditions of License
Guidelines, Codes and Standards
Atomic Energy
Licensing Act (1984 ) (ACT 304)
Regulations
• Provides additional requirements
which are not stated in the
regulations or special matters related
to provisions entrusted by the Act
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Legislative in Malaysia is composed of 4 hierarchy: Act, Regulations, Orders and technical guidelines
http://www.aelb.gov.my
1) NATIONAL POLICY: In Malaysia, the Radioactive Waste Management policy
had been prepared, in the process getting approval from the government.
For implementation, the AELB High Management (Board Meeting) has endorsed (interim) Radioactive Waste Management practice on August 24th, 1990. The radioactive waste in Malaysia shall be managed through, if authorized, by either:
a) Stored by user at appropriate storage facility; or
b) Return to supplier or other parties
(out of Malaysia); or
a) Sent to the national radioactive waste management center at Malaysia Nuclear Agency.
2) ACT: However, it is stated in Part VI – Disposal of
Radioactive Waste, Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304). It covers the control of disposal procedure & accumulation of radioactive waste in the country (to be read with the Environmental Quality Act 1974 for the non-radiological waste discharge & disposal).
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means any
nuclear fuel,
radioactive
product or
radioactive
waste
means individual,
partnership, private
or public body
means any activity involving the
manufacturing, trading, producing,
processing, purchasing, owning, using,
transporting, transferring, handling, selling,
storing, importing or exporting
ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING ACT 1984 (ACT 304)
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As specified under Subsection 26(1) of the Act 304 –
“No person shall dispose of or cause to be disposed or accumulate any radioactive waste without the prior authorization in writing of the appropriate authority”.
means any waste which consists wholly or
partly of (a) a substance or article which if it
were not
waste would be radioactive material; or
(b) a substance or article which has been
contaminated in the course of the production,
storage or use of any radioactive material,
nuclear material or prescribed substance or
by contact with or proximity to any other
waste within the meaning of (a)
DISPOSAL OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE
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As stated under Subsection 30 (1) of the Act 304 –
“No person shall transport any radioactive waste without the prior authorization in writing of the appropriate authority”.
TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE (1)
Specific license: Class D – Radiation Protection (Licensing) Regulations 1986
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TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE (2)
As stated under Regulations 24, Part X of the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011 :–
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ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING (RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 2011
ATOMIC ENERGY
LICENSING
(RADIOACTIVE
WASTE
MANAGEMENT)
REGULATIONS
2011
Free download
www.aelb.gov.my
http://www.aelb.gov.my
ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING (RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 2011
5) The outline of the content of the draft are as follows:- Part I – Preliminary Part II – License To Dispose Part III – Responsibilities Of Licensee Part IV – Radioactive Waste Management Officer Part V – Control of Radioactive Waste Generation Part VI – Reuse and Recycle of Radioactive Materials Part VII – Management of Sealed Source Part VIII – Discharge and Disposal of Radioactive Waste Part IX – Management of Radioactive Waste Part X – Transport of Radioactive Waste Part XI – Quality Assurance Part XII – Physical Protection and Security Part XIII – Records and Reports Part XIV - Emergency Plan and Procedures Part XV – Cessation of Operations, Decommissioning or Abandonment of Licensed Facilities
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NO. REGULATION SUMMARY OF REGULATION
1. 4 (1) No person shall generate, dispose of or cause to be disposed or manage radioactive waste (RW) ACCEPT in accordance with a license issued by Regulatory Authority (RA)
2. 5 The licensee shall responsible for the safe management of RW
3. 6 (1) Appointment of RWM Officer
4. 7 Responsibility of RWM Officer
5 8(1) Control Of RW Generation
6 13 Discharge & Disposal of RW (Discharge Limit)
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NO. REGULATION SUMMARY OF REGULATION
7 14 Discharge and monitoring of RW
8 17 Segregation of RW
9 21 Location of Rw Storage
10 22 Storage Facility
11 24 Transport of RW
12 26 Security and protection of RW
13 28 Submission of RW inventory form
14 30 Report on unauthorised release, discharge or disposal
15 31 Emergency Response
16 32 Cessation of operations, decommissioning or abandonment of licensed facilities
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CURRENT PRACTICE – RADWASTE MANAGEMENT
SPENT SEAL SOURCE: 1.Return back to the supplier 2.Sent to WMC NORM WASTES: All the NORM wastes are stored in the landfill and temporary storage: 1.Stored by the generator (Temporary storage) 2.Waste minimization – R&D to reuse/ recycle SPENT FUELS: All the nuclear fuels are still in-use All nuclear fuel are in the reactor building Any decision related to decommissioning of the RR would certainly involve the policy regarding status of spent fuel, storage, packaging, transport and disposal No decision yet on the return or disposal of spent fuel
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RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT FACILITIES
Radioactive waste management facilities can be grouped into:
i. waste treatment facility,
ii. onsite storage facility and
iii. disposal facility.
Malaysia has national storage facility at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, with cover treatment facility, generally including waste segregation, cementation and compaction.
Disposal facility owned by the operator of monazite cracking plant, to store the yellow cake generated from the process in 1970s. The plant, closed down in 1994 and all the radioactive waste are disposed at the disposal facility (near surface facility, engineered type)
DISPOSAL OF LILW (DSRS)
Malaysia has accumulated a big amount of LILW since 1970s. These wastes exist in various forms with different radionuclides and in wide range of radioactivity. So far, most of the wastes are still in interim storage in its original form without being conditioned. (planned for Borehole disposal)
CURRENT PRACTICE – RADWASTE MANAGEMENT
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Transboundary Movement: Shipment, reentry of RW Importation and exportation active sources shall be approved by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board Disused Sealed Sources : Possession, remanufacturing or disposal of DSS Manufacture, possession, sale, transfer and disposal shall be licensed according to conditions set in the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984
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Currently, Malaysia is still a non-signatory country for the Joint Convention (JC). Malaysia is making preparation in this matter . We are now making efforts to strengthen our capabilities
• National infrastructure – legal framework
• Human resource (training/ cooperation with other related agencies)
CURRENT STATUS:
1.Malaysia had already implementing the JC elements
2.RWM Policy: Interim (1994), Adopted SF as policy (Feb 2008)
3.The Act 304, had the provisions of the radioactive waste management
4.The development of the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive waste management) Regulations 2011 had included the parameters for RWM policies.
5.RWM Regulations under revision, considered all aspects of JC elements
6.At the moment Malaysia doesn’t have waste that covered by the JC (SF, waste from NPP)
7.NORM is temporarily stored (residue) – R&D on possibility for reuse/ recycle
PREPARATION FOR JOINT CONVENTION
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Radioactive wastes are classified for various purposes and at different levels. For the strategy purpose, the waste classification and relevant disposal strategy are regulated in the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations, 2011.
The Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations, 2011, which was revised based on the updated IAEA radioactive waste classification scheme. Table 1 lists the major characteristics of each of the waste classes.
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Class
Description
Cleared waste Materials containing levels of radionuclides at activity concentrations
less than those specified in the Second Schedule.
Low level (short lived)/
Decay waste
Low level radioactive waste containing short lived radionuclides only
(half lifes less than 100 days) that will decay to clearance levels within
three years after the time of its generation.
Low and intermediate level
short lived waste (LILW-SL)
Radioactive waste which will not decay to clearance levels within three
years containing beta/gamma emitting radionuclides with half-lives
less than thirty years or alpha emitting radionuclides with an activity
concentrations less than 400Bq/g and a total activity less than 4000 Bq
in each radioactive waste package.
Low and intermediate level
long lived waste (LILW-LL)
Radioactive waste containing radionuclides with activity
concentrations more than LILW-SL but which does not generate heat at
above 2kW/m3.
High Level Waste (HLW) Radioactive waste containing radionuclides with activity
concentrations more than LILW-SL but which generates heat at above
2kW/m3.
Table 1 Typical characteristics of waste classes
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The radioactive wastes in Malaysia mainly come from nuclear industry, decommissioning facilities, nuclear technology application and the radiation legacy from mining activities.
Basically there are three sources of radioactive waste in Malaysia:
I. Waste generated from usage of radioactive materials from industry, medical, research and educational purposes;
II. TENORM waste resulting from activities related to the enhancement of NORM in the environment and the decommissioning of the contaminated facility;
III. Spent fuel from research reactor (all fuel still in use)
4. RW AND SF INVENTORY AND WASTE CLASSIFICATION
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GENERAL INVENTORY OF RW IN MALAYSIA
Type of radioactive
waste
Main source Amount produced/method of waste
management
a) NORM WASTES
Thorium hydroxide Monazite & xenotime processing
(NORM – from tin mining)
16,200 tonnes
(now dispose of at NSDF - kept in drums
for long term storage prior disposal)
Red gypsum Ilmenite sand processing (sulphate
process in chemical plant)
3,428,195 tonnes
(landfill)
Ferum oxide Ilmenite sand processing 122,546 tonnes
(landfill)
Tin slag Tin smelting
1,137.8 tonnes
(stockpile)
Oil sludge & oil scale Oil & gas exploration activities 2,713 tonnes
(sludge farming for treatment & landfill)
b) SOLID WASTE Industry / Medical / R&D activities approximate 10 m3 /year
(storage drums)
c) DSRS Industry/medical/R&D activities
approximate 100 unit /year
(storage drums)
d) LIQUID WASTE
(AQUEOUS)
Medical / R&D activities approximately 1000 m3 /year
(storage tank -delay and decay, dilute &
disperse)
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5. FUTURE PLAN OF RAD. WASTE DISPOSAL
a) Establishment of RWM Policy and Strategies
b) Enhancing Public Acceptance/Public confidence
c) Disposal facility: To conduct extensive studies & research on site selection & siting of a repository (Near Surface, BOSS…)
Waste Treatment
Waste Acceptance Criteria for NSDF/ Borehole Disposal
Involvement of other government agencies related (Nuclear Malaysia AELB, DoE, MoH, Mineral & Geoscience, Universities etc)
IAEA TC Assistance/Collaboration with other organization or countries
d) D&D of NORM contaminated facilities and environmental remediation
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a) ESTABLISHMENT OF RWM POLICY & STRATEGIES
RWM Policy and Strategies had been developed and now waiting for approval from the government
Main elements of the RWM policy and strategies had been included in the Regulations (eg. Waste minimization, import/ export of RWM, fund, responsibilities, public engagement etc)
The Regulations already in place and being implemented, the Regulations will be updated according to latest IAEA recommendation.
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RWM POLICY & STRATEGIES
The policy is developed on the following principles:
Protection of human
Protection of the environment
Protection beyond national borders
Protection of future generations
Undue burden to future generations
Compliance to legal framework
Control of radioactive waste generation
Spent fuel and radioactive waste generation and management interdependencies
Safety and security of spent fuel and radioactive waste and their management facilities
Transparency and continuous improvement of spent fuel and radioactive waste management plan
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RWM POLICY -KEY ELEMENTS
Allocation of responsibilities
Radioactive waste management fund
Safety, security and safeguard
Waste avoidance and minimization
Stakeholder involvement and public information
Competences and skills in radioactive waste management
Import and export of radioactive waste
Repatriation of disused sealed radioactive sources
Management of spent nuclear fuel
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B) PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE (PIPA) PROGRAM
Indirectly after the Fukushima accident, members of public had shown their concern regarding to nuclear and radiological activities in Malaysia
This also had given big impact on the level of thrust to the regulator in controlling and supervising atomic energy activities, especially related to mineral processing and disposal of radioactive waste containing NORM.
Thus, AELB have increased its public engagement activities and make it a compulsory to all applicants for mineral containing NORM processing and radioactive waste disposal activities.
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Public Information and Public Acceptance (PIPA) Program
To overcome this issue, the government had initiated these activities in the licensing and enforcement procedures:
the public engagement process;
involvement of other relevant agencies;
establishment of technical committee as an advisor to the regulator;
public display of documentations submitted by the applicant to apply for a license dealing with processing of mineral containing NORM;
invite the IAEA experts and get technical assistant in making decision regarding license application for dealing with processing of mineral containing NORM; and
following the IAEA standards and international best practices in deciding the license application for dealing with processing of mineral containing NORM and disposal of radioactive waste.
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Public Acceptance Committee
In order to assist AELB in carrying out its public engagement activities, AELB had also established the Public Acceptance Committee. This committee consist of academician, government service officer from various field of expertise such as economist, psychology etc. This is to make sure that public will get right/correct information, reported by media.
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Public Acceptance Activities Outreach/ Awareness program
- Outreach program – to the politicians, other governmental officers, industries, school and universities students
- Awareness program & Public communication - Address Public Concern, Ensure Safety & Health Of The Public, Workers And The Environment
Public Engagement - Media briefing
- Presentation
- FAQ (online)
C) DEVELOPMENT OF BOREHOLE DISPOSAL FACILITY IN MALAYSIA
BOSS PROJECT INITIATION •Many disused radioactive sources (DSRS) cannot be returned to the manufacturer. •Waste Centre has 8000 units of DSRS stored in the storage facility •Inadequate storage of spent sealed sources presents a present-day hazard •Continued storage perpetuates the risk and places burden on future generations •Concerns over safety and security •In January 2011 Malaysian Nuclear Agency has approved to proceed with the BOSS Project. •Budget allocation from 10th Malaysia Plan •Assistance from IAEA TC
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Summary of DSRS Inventory
R/nuclide Nos. Activity, GBq Activity, Ci Note
Co-60 319 6.691E+01 1.806
9 – Medical App. / Brachy. (Exc. T/Teraphy)
244 – School / Univ. / Misc. / Small App.
66 – Industrial App.
Sr-90 305 3.483E+01 0.940
13 – Medical App. / Brachy.
210 - School / Univ. / Misc. / Small App.
85 – Industrial App.
6 - Lightning Preventors
Ra-226 545 1.190E+02 3.205
309 - Medical App. (Ra Needles)
23 - School / Univ. / Misc. / Small App.
57 - Lightning Preventors
156 – Smoke Det. / Static Eliminator
Cs-137 164 2.266E+02 6.118
29 – Medical App. / Brachy.
83 - School / Univ. / Misc. / Small App.
52 – Industrial App.
Am-241 580 6.005E+01 1.621
234 - School / Univ. / Misc. / Small App.
7 – Industrial App.
36 - Lightning Preventors
303 – Smoke Det. / Static Eliminator
Am-241/Be 16 6.707E+02 18.108 7 – Industrial App. (Bore-Logger / Moisture /
Density Gauge)
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Currently all DSRS are stored in the temporary storage facility located within Malaysian Nuclear Agency
Storage Facility
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The current planned borehole will only cater for DSRS from category 3,4 and 5.
DSRS Category 2 will be disposed of in future borehole or return to the country of origin.
All conditioning will be carried out in the existing facility of Waste Technology Development Centre.
Conditioning of DSRS
Human Resources availability Various in field of specialization: Waste Safety, Geology,
Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Geophysics, Mechanical Engineering, Radiation Health & Safety etc
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Two sites were identified as the suitable sites for the borehole disposal. Both sites are located within the premise of Nuclear Malaysia.
BOSS: SITE SELECTION
SITE 1
SITE 2
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Locations are isolated
The sites are very safe because it is well monitored with very high security control
There is no public acceptance (NIMBY) issue as it is located within Nuclear Malaysia compound
No land approval issue from the state government as these land (proposed locations) are under the jurisdiction of Nuclear Malaysia.
Advantages of These Sites
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Desk Study Geology
Hydrogeology
Geochemistry
Geomorphology
Meteorology
Resistivity Study To obtain the profile of subsurface geology
Pro & Cons Analysis
Site Selection Methodology
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Potential Site
• From the desktop study, resistivity survey and pro & cons analysis it is decided that the potential site for borehole disposal would be SITE 1 • Therefore, resistivity survey was re-conducted for Site 1 with survey lines of 400m
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Extensive Resistivity Survey on Potential Site
Two survey lines have been carried out in this survey. Two survey lines were proposed to get the maximum depth of the subsurface profile.
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• Maximum depth of subsurface profile is 80m • High resistivity zone (yellow to red colour) - hard
rock. • Intermediate resistivity zone is in green colour -
fractured zone • The low resistivity zone is in blue colour - clay
materials or groundwater contamination • The occurrence of high resistivity zone surrounds
the intermediate resistivity zone more likely caused by the fractured zone.
Results – Line 1
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Results – Line 2
• maximum depth of subsurface profile is 80m • difference between high resistivity zone (>500 Ωm)
and intermediate resistivity zone (75 Ωm - 200 Ωm) • intermediate resistivity zone at the centre of the
profile was more likely caused by the fractured zone. • Similar to Line 1 but no low resistivity zone.
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Site Characterisation Strategy
• Sub-surface geoscientific data need to be collected from investigation borehole to demonstrate post-closure safety, together with associated sampling, testing and monitoring.
• Site characterization activity - will be done with collaboration with Department of Mineral and Geology
• Only one (1) unit of borehole will be drilled to characterise the site
due to budget constraint. The investigation will be undertaken to a depth of 150m with a minimum diameter of 100mm.
• The location of borehole has been decided through the resistivity
survey.
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REGULATORY REQUIREMNETS
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS APPLICATION & FEES
RADIATION WORKERS
RADIATION PROTECTION PROGRAM
MONITORING PROGRAM
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
SECURITY PLAN/ THREAT ASSESSMENT (DSRS CAT 1 &2)
SUPPOTRING TECHNICAL DOCUMENTS RIA
SAFETY CASE
RWMP
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Summary of D&D activities in Malaysia
One mineral processing plant (monazite cracking plant to produce rare earth elements and generate by-product, Thorium hydroxide)
Building facility contaminated with NORM : dismantled and decontaminated
Soil contaminated with NORM: excavated and disposed
Waste characterization: ILW – by-products/ LLW- contaminated building materials and soil / cleared waste – decontaminated below permissible limit
Site remediation: back filling with normal soil & 2 years continuously monitoring (external exposure and airborne) before site release
Disposal type: Near Surface Disposal Facility (Engineered Cell)
D) D&D OF NORM CONTAMINATED FACILITIES AND ENVIRONMENTAL REMEDIATION
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Objective D&D –The Radiation Level Back To
Normal
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AFTER D&D
CLEAN AREA
Radiation level back to normal (background) BEFORE D&D
CONTROLLED AREA
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D&D Activities
DISMANTLING CONT SOIL EXCAVATION
CONT MATERIALS
DECONTAMINATION DISPOSAL
BACKFILLING
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Compile and submit license application documents
Submit Safety Analysis Report and Radiological Impact Assessment
Monitoring and controlling the radioactive waste release, and submit the monitoring report to the regulatory authorities
Compile and carry out the radioactive waste management system operation and maintenance rules, training
Compile quality assurance program and set up quality assurance system
Report the operation status and inventory to the regulatory authorities
Compile and carry out emergency plan
Update the record of the waste
Responsibilities of a license holder