RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT (RWM) ACTIVITIES IN …

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)

http://www.aelb.gov.my/


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.



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



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



• 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

6

Legislative in Malaysia is composed of 4 hierarchy: Act, Regulations, Orders and technical guidelines



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).



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)



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



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



TRANSPORT OF RADIOACTIVE WASTE (2)

As stated under Regulations 24, Part X of the Atomic Energy Licensing (Radioactive Waste Management) Regulations 2011 :–



ATOMIC ENERGY LICENSING (RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT) REGULATIONS 2011

ATOMIC ENERGY

LICENSING

(RADIOACTIVE

WASTE

MANAGEMENT)

REGULATIONS

2011

Free download

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



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)



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



GUIDELINES FOR DECOMMISSIONING



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



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



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



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



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.



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



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



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)



RWMC STORAGE FACILITIES

MALAYSIAN NUCLEAR AGENCY



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



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


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.


6 - Lightning Preventors

Ra-226 545 1.190E+02 3.205

309 - Medical App. (Ra Needles)



156 – Smoke Det. / Static Eliminator

Cs-137 164 2.266E+02 6.118

29 – Medical App. / Brachy.



Am-241 580 6.005E+01 1.621




303 – Smoke Det. / Static Eliminator

Am-241/Be 16 6.707E+02 18.108 7 – Industrial App. (Bore-Logger / Moisture /

Density Gauge)



Currently all DSRS are stored in the temporary storage facility located within Malaysian Nuclear Agency

Storage Facility



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



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



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



Desk Study Geology

Hydrogeology

Geochemistry

Geomorphology

Meteorology

Resistivity Study To obtain the profile of subsurface geology

Pro & Cons Analysis

Site Selection Methodology



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



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.



Results – Line 1



• 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



Results – Line 2



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.



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.



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



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



D&D Activities

DISMANTLING CONT SOIL EXCAVATION

CONT MATERIALS

DECONTAMINATION DISPOSAL

BACKFILLING



Near Surface Disposal Facility



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



Terima Kasih

Thank you


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