Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology

Highly radioactive waste is solidified to restrict leaching, retain its shape, and maintain its structural stability to prevent it from affecting humans and the environment as much as possible. This operation should be performed consistently regardless of whether the waste is homogeneous or heterogeneous. However, currently, there are no specific performance requirements for heterogeneous waste in Korea. This study reviewed domestic research results and the status of overseas applications, and proposed immobilization requirements for heterogeneous waste to be applied in Korea. IAEA safety standards, domestic laws, and waste acceptance criteria were reviewed. The status of heterogeneous waste immobilization in countries such as the United States, France, and Spain was reviewed. Most countries treat heterogeneous waste by encasing it in concrete, and impose immobilization requirements on this concrete. Based on these data, safety standards for the thickness, compressive strength, and diffusion limit of this concrete material were proposed as immobilization requirements for heterogeneous waste disposal in Korea. Quantitative values for the above requirements need to be derived through quantitative assessments based on the characteristics of domestic heterogeneous waste and disposal facilities.

Keywords

Heterogeneous waste, Immobilization, Performance requirement, Waste acceptance criteria, Concrete lining