Introduction - GRS · geological disposal of radioactive waste 1972: First underground disposal...
Transcript of Introduction - GRS · geological disposal of radioactive waste 1972: First underground disposal...
Introduction
Tilmann Rothfuchs, GRS
30th November, 2010
Gesellschaft für Anlagen- und Reaktorsicherheit
GRS is the central research and expert organisation for nuclear safety in Germany
GRS
• is a non-profit company • is independent of politics and industry
• cooperates intensively on national and international level
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Company Sites and Technical Offices
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Organization Chart, Braunschweig Site
Final Repository Safety Research
Division
Geo-scientific Laboratory
Safety Analyses Department
Process Analyses Department
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Bottom-up Approach in Repository Safety Research
Development and Application
of Methods and Tools for the
Integrated Long-term Safety Analyses
Process Analyses Underground Lab Laboratory
Proof of the Long-term Safety
of Waste Repositories
in Deep Geological Formations
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Geo-scientific Laboratory
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In situ-research on the long-term effective sealing
of repositories
01.01.1990 01.01.1992 01.01.1994 01.01.1996 01.01.1998 01.01.2000
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60
90
120
150
180
210
Exp. Calc. Sec.
A-A Heater surface
B-B Pillar wall
B-B Roof
A-A 1.2 m below drift
A-A 5.0 m below drift
Tem
pera
ture
[
°C
]
Time
01.01.1990 01.01.1992 01.01.1994 01.01.1996 01.01.1998 01.01.2000
0,0
0,1
0,2
0,3
0,4
0,5
0,6
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Experiment
Phase II: 3D
DBE
Co
nv
erg
en
ce
[
m ]
Time
Temperature Evolution Evolution of Backfill Compaction
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1963: Recommendation of salt as host rock by the German
Geological Survey (today BGR)
1964: Foundation of „Institute for Deep Disposal (IfT)“ as part of
national GSF-Research Centre – Mandate: R&D for
geological disposal of radioactive waste
1972: First underground disposal mine goes into operation
1987: Extending IfT‘s mandate to hazardous wastes
– 1st pilot project
1990: Start of specific R&D projects at GSF (altogether app. 45)
1995: GSF-IfT becomes division of GRS
2009: Start of international propagation of underground disposal
concept
2010: 1st international workshop on that topic in Braunschweig
Some Historic Dates & Facts
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Shaft sealing
Drift sealing Borehole sealing
Backfill Waste & Canister
Overburden
Ho
st r
ock
Waste Isolation Multibarrier System
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Geological Concept of Containment of Pollutants
Important rock-properties for permanent containment
Additional measures for isolation and retention
Mechanical stability
Low permeability
Low ground-water-flow
Favorable geochemistry
Adopted design
Inclusion by backfill
Stabile sealings
Geochemical barriers
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Which pollutants are contained in the waste to be disposed,
and in what quantity?
Which processes and which pathways in case of any release
are important for the long-term safety?
What concentration of any pollutant might finally reach the
biosphere?
What consequences are to be expected for man and
environment?
Questions of Principle – Final Repository Safety Research
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Elements of a Long-term Safety Analysis
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EMOS – Package of Programs for
Integrated Long-term Safety Analyses
Near-field Far-field Biosphere
1D, Clay formations
1D, porous media
1D, fractured- porous media
1D/2D, Colloids in porous media
3D, with retention effects
3D, Salt
1D, Salt-caverns + Hazardous waste
KACTOS
LOPOS
TRAPIC
CHETMAD
CHETLIN CHETNIS
EXMAS
CLAYPOS
EXCON
d3f, r3t
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Need for the isolation of contaminants from the
biosphere for geological periods
No threat by changes in society
No threat by changes in surface utilization
No threat by climatic changes
Free of aftercare
No burden for future generations
Reasons for Underground Disposal in
Deep Geological Formations
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Germany has taken over a pioneering role in Europe and world-wide
Decades of experience (Herfa-Neurode in operation since 1972)
Long-standing research experience
(> 150 BMBF - projects since 1991)
Concept: safe containment and isolation from biosphere („dry
safekeeping“)
Exclusive use of former exploitation mines is an integral part of
waste management in Germany and Europe
Underground Disposal – Current Situation
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Source: Federal Statistical Office, for 2003
Hazardous Waste Management in Germany – 1,000 t
Underground
Disposal [210]
Landfill
Disposal [4,470]
Incineration
[1,660]
Chem./phys.
Treatment [2,710]
Other
Treatment [4,260]
Recycling [4,610]
Interim
Storage [1,360]
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Underground Disposal Sites in Germany
Green = Sites related to underground disposal 18
Waste
Ecosphere
Far-field
Near-field
Groundwater
Flow
Contaminant
Transport
Cavern
Near-field model
Hydraulic
Properties
Shaft-
Seals
Excavation-
Damaged Zones
Interaction
Deep GW
Investigation
Methods Waste-Types
Gas-Diffusion
Sorption
Data-Base
Ecotoxicology
Gas-Release
Stability
Clay-Seals
Si/Al-
Modeling
Geochemical
Zn,Cd,Pb-Model
Bahavior HM-
Wastes
Mobility
Data-Base
Anaerob-
Barrier-Efficiency
Self-healing
Backfill Interactions
Geochemistry Geotechnics Long-term safety analysis
Subjects of Research Projects (Examples)
Overburden
Backfill
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Base for new or improved concepts and site selection
Enhancement of safety of existing facilities
Fast and target-oriented reaction in case of any failure
Public acceptance
Contribution to global protection of the environment
Benefits from Final Repository Safety Research
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Concepts and criteria (GRS)
Practical experience (K+S Entsorgung)
Waste conditioning (K-UTEC)
Geochemical aspects – waste & rock (GRS)
Backfill and sealing materials (GRS)
Drift- & shaft-sealing (Freiberg University)
Panel discussion
Topics for Following Presentations
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Development of environmental sound disposal concepts
Must consider adjustments to national constraints
Contribution to global environmental protection
Chance for German industry and research institutions
Chemical waste on top of the Yangtze River bank. Photo by Lu Guang
Development of Underground Disposal Concepts
in Developing Countries
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