DISPOSAL OPTIONS FOR DISUSED RADIOACTIVE SOURCES

0,99

MB

61

stron

2500

ID

International Atomic Energy Agency

2005

rok

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION . 1

1.1. Background 1

1.2. Objective . 3

1.3. Scope 4

1.4. Structure . 4

2. USES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF RADIOACTIVE SOURCES . 5

2.1. Uses of radioactive sources . 5

2.1.1. Medical applications . 5

2.1.2. Applications in research and education . 6

2.1.3. Industrial applications . 6

2.2. Inventory of radioactive sources . 7

2.3. Properties of disused radioactive sources 7

2.4. Characteristics of the main radioisotopes in sealed sources . 12

3. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS 14

3.1. General 14

3.2. Disposal options for disused radioactive sources . 15

3.2.1. Option 1: Decay and disposal as exempt waste . 18

3.2.2. Option 2a: Simple near surface facilities 19

3.2.3. Option 2b: Engineered near surface facilities 19

3.2.4. Option 2c: Near surface borehole or shaft facilities . 20

3.2.5. Option 3a: Intermediate depth shafts or boreholes without EBSs . 20

3.2.6. Option 3b: Intermediate depth shafts or boreholes with EBSs 21

3.2.7. Option 3c: Intermediate depth repositories 22

3.2.8. Option 4a: Deep boreholes without EBSs . 24

3.2.9. Option 4b: Deep boreholes with EBSs 24

3.2.10. Option 4c: Mined geological repositories . 25

4. IDENTIFICATION AND SCREENING OF DISPOSAL OPTIONS 25

5. WASTE PACKAGING AND ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA FOR DISPOSAL 28

5.1. Disposal package 30

5.2. Package design requirements 30

5.2.1. Handling . 30

5.2.2. Radiation protection . 31

5.2.3. Identification . 32

5.2.4. Package material 32

5.2.5. Package closure . 32

5.2.6. Package backfill . 33

5.3. Waste acceptance criteria for radioactive sources . 34

6. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS . 36

REFERENCES 39

ANNEX: BOREHOLE DISPOSAL . 43

CONTRIBUTORS TO DRAFTING AND REVIEW . 51