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1998-07-01
Factors affecting near-field chemistry of the spent nuclear fuel repository as well as the involved mutual interactions are described on the basis of literature. The most important processes in the near-field (spent-fuel, canister and bentonite) are presented. The related examples on near-field chemistry models shed light on the extensive problematics of near-field chemistry. (authors) 80 refs.
1996-05-01
The report considers the various stages of two nuclear fuel cycle options: direct disposal and reprocessing followed by disposal of vitrified high-level waste. The comparative review is based on the results of previous international studies and concentrates on the radiation and environmental safety aspects of technical solutions based on today`s technology. (23 refs., 7 figs., 4 tabs.).
1984-01-01
The spent nuclear fuel is planned to be disposed in copper canisters in bedrock. In this study a review of corrosion of pure copper is presented and the possibilities of various corrosion reactions on copper in the ground water of the repository conditions is evaluated. Based on the thermodynamic examinations, the results of experimental laboratory research and field experiments, general corrosion, pitting, crevice corrosion and stress corrosion cracking of pure copper have been reviewed. Some recommendations for future research are given. Especially, effects of radiation on corrosion reactions and the stress corrosion resistance of pure copper in the repository conditions should be studied in more detail. (author)
2004-01-01
Conventional and radiological health risks from transportation of spent fuel from Loviisa nuclear power plant to Olkiluoto final disposal plant have been evaluated. According to the base scenario of 50-year use of the NPP, 30 tU on the average will be transported each year during 37 years in water-filled spent fuel casks. The considered transportation modes were road, rail and ship, or combinations of these. The consequences of normal transportation to the population along the routes were evaluated based on the RADTRAN model. As incidents, stopping of the transportation for an exceptionally long period of time, and contamination of outer surface of the spent fuel cask were considered. Expected collective doses and health risks of transportation accidents connected to the routes were calculated with RADTRAN. Single hypothetical transport accidents with conservative ...
2008-01-01
The radiation dose risks in the disposal plant are involved with the works in the encapsulation plant and in the disposal of the fuel canisters at the final repository. Radioactive materials are handled remote controlled in the shielded rooms in the encapsulation plant. The fuel canisters are closed in the radiation shield while handled in the repository. In the normal operation the major part of the personnel doses are caused by the spent fuel casks receiving. Also maintenance and repair work of the hot cell equipment and cleaning of the hot cell are causing personnel doses in normal operation. A small number of the fuel pins could loose their tightness and start to leak during the spent fuel transport to the disposal plant and in the fuel handling in the hot cell. A small number of the fuel pins has already loosed their tightness before the transport. Radioactive material fixed on the ...
1999-03-01
In this report the potential psychosocial consequences of spent fuel disposal to inhabitants of a community are assessed on the basis of earlier research. In studying the situation, different interpretations and meanings given to nuclear power are considered. First, spent fuel disposal is studied as fear-arousing and consequently stressful situation. Psychosomatic effects of stress and coping strategies used by an individual are presented. Stress as a collective phenomenon and coping mechanisms available for a community are also assessed. Stress reactions caused by natural disasters and technological disasters are compared. Consequences of nuclear power plant accidents are reviewed, e.g. research done on the accident at Three Mile Island power plant. Reasons for the disorganising effect on a community caused by a technological disaster are compared to the altruistic community often seen after natural disasters. The potential reactions that a spent fuel disposal plant can arouse in inhabitants are evaluated. Both short-term and long-term reactions are evaluated as well as reactions under normal functioning, after an incident and as a consequence of an accident. Finally an evaluation of how the decision-making system and citizens` opportunity to influence the decision-making affect the experience of threat is expressed. As a conclusion we see that spent fuel disposal can arouse fear and stress in people. However, the level of the stress is probably low. The stress is at strongest at the time of the starting of the spent fuel disposal plant. With time people get used to the presence of the plant and the threat experienced gets smaller. (orig.) 63 refs.
2003-02-01
This literature research collects cost and feasibility aspects of retrievability of spent nuclear fuel disposal. The Finnish plan for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel includes some features favouring retrievability, like modularity of disposal plan, good corrosion resistance of copper canisters and long estimated lifetime of disposal shafts and tunnels. Possible political and technical arguments for retrievability are collected and the possible actions taken after retrieving (opening of copper canisters, transportations and interim storage) are looked into. In the Finnish disposal plan retrieving is possible in each stage of repository development. Technical feasibility of retrieving is presented before sealing of a disposal hole, after filling and sealing of a disposal tunnel and after final closure of the repository. Many features of the disposal concept (hydrogeological conditions, radioactive radiation and heat generation of the spent fuel, and properties of bentonite) affect the feasibility and cost of retrieving. Questions dealing with nuclear material safeguards, monitoring and continuity of knowledge should be taken into account when retrievability is being considered. Different ways used for expressing the cost of retrieving, are currency unit, delay of the scheduled disposal project and percentages of the actual disposal cost. Estimated costs for two different cases of retrievability, immediate closure and postponed closure of repository, are presented. Cost estimates, made in Finland, are quite rough, but the Swedish cost calculation example of immediate closure case is interesting because of similarity of Finnish and Swedish disposal concepts. There are also examples of cost, based on research and development work enhancing retrievability. It is noticed that there are only few exact cost estimations relating to retrievability. The reasons might be the improbability of actual retrieving and the fact that retrieving, if materialised, will take place far in the future. (orig.)
1999-03-01
As a part of the designing process of the Finnish spent nuclear fuel repository, a preliminary study has been carried out to investigate how the canisters could technically be retrieved to the ground surface. Possibility of retrieving a canister has been investigated in different phases of the disposal project. Retrievability has not been a design goal for the spent fuel repository. However, design of the repository includes some features that may ease the retrieval of canisters in the future. Spent fuel elements are packaged in massive copper-iron canisters, which are mechanically strong and long-lived. The repository consists of excavated tunnels in hard rock which are supposed to be very long-lived making the removal of the tunnel backfilling technically possible also in the future. As long as the bentonite buffer has not been installed the canister can be returned to the ground surface using the same equipment as was used when the canister was brought down to the repository and lowered into the hole. In the encapsulation station the spent fuel elements can be packaged in the other canister or in the transport cask. After a deposition tunnel has been backfilled and closed, the retrieval consists of tearing down the concrete structure at the entry of the deposition tunnel, removal of the tunnel backfilling, removal of the bentonite from the disposal hole and lifting up of the canister. Various methods, e.g., flushing the bentonite with saline solutions, can be used to detach the canister from a hole with fully saturated bentonite. Recovery will be technically possible also after closing of the disposal facility. Backfilling of the shafts and tunnels will be removed and additional new structures and systems will have to be built in the repository. After that canisters can be transported to the ground surface as described above. In addition, handling of the canisters at the ground surface will require additional facilities. Canisters can be packaged in the transport cask for transportation. (orig.) 10 refs. Working report
1998-12-01
The research studied the social impacts of the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel by the means of qualitative methods. The principal research material consisted of 49 theme interviews carried out in four municipalities, Eurajoki, Kuhmo, Loviisa and Aeaenekoski, all of which have a candidate site for spent fuel disposal. The interviews covered residents living near the possible disposal site, local authorities from different sectors of the municipality, social workers, youth workers and teachers, local businesses, trade and other organisations as well as environmental and citizen movements. When considering the risk conceptions and worries over safety, a fairly consistent view on the safety of the different phases of the project can be identified in all the municipalities. The transportation of nuclear waste aroused definitely the most worries over safety, especially because of the danger of sabotage and traffic accidents. When considering the encapsulation stage` the interviews revealed that risks are associated with this stage because it entails a `human factor`: the treatment of a dangerous substance in a disposal site above ground is considered hazardous. When considering the time after the closing of the disposal system, an opinion could be formed on the basis of the interviews that a final disposal system in hard bedrock would probably perform adequately in the short term but there can be no certain knowledge of risks in the long term. Confidence or lack of confidence in the safety of the project appeared as the most important factor causing social impacts. As a summary of the results, it can be concluded that especially (1) familiarity of the risk and (2) the possibility that taking risks are advantageous to oneself increase the acceptability of the risk. These are also the factors which distinguish the municipalities with nuclear power plants (Loviisa and Eurajoki) from the other two municipalities. The fair allocation of risks as well as the division of advantages and disadvantages appear to be an essential matter affecting the acceptability and risk evaluation of the project. Almost all the interviewees were of the opinion that nuclear waste should be disposed where it is produced. The views on the effects of the project on the image, nature and pleasantness of the municipality and the opinions on the economic effects and the significance on the development of the municipality differed in each locality according to the local social situation, history and development prognosis. The final disposal issue brought about conflicts connected to values, interests as well as facts (in other words probable effects) in the municipalities. (orig.) 54 refs.
1999-02-01
The study comprised on one hand a nationwide telephone interview (totally 800 interviews) aimed at mapping out the current image of possible host municipalities to a final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel, and on the other hand some group interviews of people of another parish but of interest from the municipalities` point of view. The purpose of these group interviews was the same as that of the telephone interview, i.e. to find out what kind of an impact locating a final disposal facility of spent nuclear fuel in a certain municipality would have on the host municipality`s image. Because the groups interviewed were selected on different grounds the results of the interviews are not fully comparable. The most important result of the study is that the current attitude towards a final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel is calm and collected and that the matter is often considered from the standpoint of an outsider. The issue is easily ignored, classified as a matter `which does not concern me`, provided that the facility will not be placed too near one`s own home. Among those interviewed the subject seemed not to be of any `great interest and did not arouse spontaneous feelings for or against`. There are, however, deeply rooted beliefs concerning the facility and quite strong negative and positive attitudes towards it. The facility itself and the associated decision-making procedure arouse many questions, which at present to a large extent are still unexpressed because the subject is considered so remote. It is, however, necessary to give concrete answers to the questions because this makes it possible for people to relate the issue to daily life. It is further important that things arousing fear and doubts also can be discussed because a silence in this respect only emphasizes their importance. The attitude towards the facility is varying. On one hand there are economic and technical factors: the probable economic benefit from it, the obligation to take care of nuclear waste and the advantages of final disposal compared with the present situation. On the other hand there are the fears and doubts: risks involved in the transportation of spent fuel, doubts about the fairness of the decision-making procedure, the risks involved in the operation of the facility and a fear for accidents. Regarding the municipalities` current images the results of the interview show that Eurajoki does not have any distinct profile. About fifty procent of Finns are not able to attach any ideas or characteristics to Eurajoki. About 15% of Finns associate Eurajoki with nuclear power. Kuhmo, on the contrary, has a distinct profile as a place with culture/music, nature and a customer-friendly atmosphere. Loviisa is a town which is spontaneously associated with nuclear power (64%). With a little help also the sea around and the historical background to the town, as well as qualified services and communications were mentioned. Aeaenekoski`s image is that of an industrial centre: industry in general, paper and pulp industry in particular, as well as certain famous firms are associated with the town. Also the adverse factors, such as the bad smell from paper and pulp industry, were mentioned. About one-third of Finns cannot associate Aeaenekoski with anything special. (orig.)
1998-12-01
The report provides an overview of a series of reports evaluating the possible impacts of a proposed Finnish high-level nuclear waste (HLNW) repository on consumer behavior and, subsequently, on the host community` s economy. In addition to the overview, the study consists of three parts: Report I reviews the literature on the impacts of analogous industrial facilities; Report II examines the possible reactions of industry and trade, and Report III studies the consumers` risk perceptions in relation to their consuming practices. Theoretically, this series of reports is based on previous research on risk perception, with two modifications. Report II studies products currently available on the consumer market to find out what possibilities the marketplace offers to a consumer interested in environmental risks to act according to his/her risk perception. Report III studies those everyday consuming practices on the basis of which consumers define risks. These two contexts mold the consumer reaction to risks that stem from industrial installations. The proposed HLNW repository benefits the host community in various direct and indirect ways, and may create new opportunities for developing the local economy. The proposed repository may also have negative impacts on the local economy. Food production in particular and, to a lesser extent, tourism might be affected harmfully. Consumer reaction is unlikely to be targeted at other goods produced in the proposed host communities. Under normal conditions (i.e., the repository functions as planned), consumers have fairly few possibilities to identify the products of this community without an extensive search for information, given the structure of the current food market: the proposed communities have few products with specific local identity. Also, fairly few consumers are willing to spend a substantial amount of time for studying the products and their raw materials in detail. Also, consumers are confident that they can manage the risks that may lurk in products. Thus, under normal conditions, the proposed repository might primarily harm the market for more expensive products (homes, summer cottages), as well as the market for products whose image is based on cleanliness and purity, e.g. travel services based on roaming wild, unspoiled nature. There is not much of this kind of production in the areas close to the proposed repository, and the total value of such products for the local economies is small. However, some consumers have strongly anti-nuclear sentiments, and others may avoid risks due to various situational reasons (e.g. pregnancy). They are more likely to react negatively. Under abnormal conditions (e.g. large accidents and recurrent emissions) which are widely publicised, more extensive consumer reaction can be expected. However, according to the literature review, these market perturbations are usually short-lived. Still, some consumers seem to withdraw from the markets permanently after such conditions. Abnormal conditions, thus, constitute the main economic risk for the host community. (orig.)
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