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Management of Radioactive Waste in Argentina

This article provides an overview of the current situation and future plans for the management of radioactive waste in Argentina. It discusses the legal framework, nuclear activities, and disposal practices in the country.

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Management of Radioactive Waste in Argentina

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  1. IAEA, 09-13 September 2013 “Current situation in Argentina related to management of Radioactive Waste and future plans for disposal” Daniela E. Alvarez Ph D. Department of Scientific and Technical Support, Division of Radiological Safety Assessments, Nuclear Regulatory Authority

  2. Nuclear Sector in Argentina related to RW & SF management Argentine Government Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) Ministryof Federal Planning, Public Invest &Services Secretary of Energy Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) NPP´s Operator SF / RW Management

  3. Legal Framework - National Law Nº 24804 (1997) to regulate the Nuclear Activity ARN to regulate and supervise the nuclear activity (radiological and nuclear safety, physical protection and safeguards) CNEA SF and RW management responsibility + Research & Development + National Government advisor - National Law Nº 25018 (1998) to determine the Radioactive Waste Management RegimePropose National Radioactive Waste Management Program –PNGRR- and CNEA as the responsible for the compliance with a specific Strategic Plan for RW Management. - Nacional Law Nº 25279 (2001) Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management

  4. Nuclear activities • NPP ATUCHA II PHWR 745 MWe Start up 2014 ATUCHA I PHWR 357MWe In Operation Since 1973 EMBALSE PHWR - 648 MWe OperatingSince 1984 Atucha Site 4TH NPP Approved by Law Supplier & Site to be defined CAREM NPP 25 MWe New CNEA Design Protoype

  5. Nuclear activities • Atomic Centres EzeizaAtomic Center • ResearchReactors • Fuel Cyclefacilities • Other Nuclear Installations • Industrial & MedicalRadioisotopes • EducationalInstitutions Bariloche Atomic Center Constituyentes Atomic Center

  6. Nuclear activities - Argentineexperience in ResearchReactors: local and abroad - RadioisotopesProduction: Co60 (Industrial Use) Mo99 I131 others OPAL-Australia • MiningSites: one in standby (Sierra • Pintada) • one in explorationstage • (Cerro Solo) • eightunderremediation

  7. Spent Fuel management policies - The National State is the owner of the radioactive fissile material contained in Spent Fuel from any origin - According to the Strategic Plan, decision on Reprocessing of SF is expected to be taken before 2030 --- underground geological laboratory started - Deep geological repository must be operative by the year 2060 - Meanwhile, NPP Operators are responsible for the SF Storage on Site until its transfer to CNEA

  8. Radioactive Waste management policies • - National State, through PNGRR, is Responsible for Safety Waste Management • arising from nuclear energy applications, including waste from decommissioning • of related facilities • - Ensure safe management in order to protect the rights of present and future • generations and the environment • - Strategic Plan will by authorized, periodically reviewed and audited by Congress • - Establish of a proper procedure to obtain and to manage the necessary • financial resources • - Establish the Waste Acceptance Criteria based on future repositories • - Records Keeping of the inventories of radioactive waste and relevant • documentation • - Development of a Public Communication and Information Program

  9. Spent Fuel management practices (NPP) • Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant: decay • and storage in water pools until the end • of its operational life. Transference to • interim dry storage is under development Embalse Nuclear Power Plant: six years decaying period in water pools and subsequent interim dry storage in concrete silos

  10. Radioactive Waste Classification Argentina has adopted the classification of radioactive waste recommended by the Agency (General Safety Guide – GSG-1)

  11. Radioactive Waste management practices Accordingtowastecategories • LowLevel Disposable Waste NEAR SURFACE DISPOSAL - Solid waste, compacted in drums • - Non compactable waste, conditioned in cement matrices • - Low level liquid waste, concentrated and immobilized with cement in drums • - Short Lived disused sealed sources, conditioned • - Structural waste conditioned in cement matrix SYSTEM FOR DISPOSAL OF STRUCTURAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND SEALED SOURCES

  12. Radioactive Waste management practices Accordingtowastecategories • Low Level Disposable Waste • (+ ILW) • INTERIM STORAGE • - Compacted Solid Waste and cemented liquid • aqueous Waste • - Non Compactable Waste, spent resins and filters • - Disused sealed sources • - Structural materials • - Organic liquid Wastes INTERIM STORAGE OF SOURCES AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE

  13. Radioactive Waste management practices Accordingtowastecategories • Intermediate level disposable waste INTERIM STORAGE • Reactor internals from CNA I generated by maintenance • Alpha emitters contaminated waste • Long lived disused sealed sources • PT / CT / CTI (CNE refurbishment)

  14. Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management EZEIZARADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AREA - AGE Semi Containment System for Solid Radioactive Waste (*)These facilities have finished their operation stage. (**)This facility is in a state of partial dismantling in order to expand its operations.

  15. Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management ATUCHA I NPP New mechanicalfiltersstorage

  16. Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management EMBALSE NPP Mechanicalfilters, activated and contaminatedstructuralsstorage

  17. Plans Argentina has decided to build a near-surface monolithic repository with engineered barriers for low and some intermediate level radioactive waste The construction of final disposal systems near surface is foreseen, similar to those in operation in L’Aube (France) and El Cabril (Spain). This type of repository is based on the use of multiple and redundant barriers, completing the model with the application of approximately 300 years of institutional post-closure control. Waste will be immobilized in cement matrices and packed in 200 L drums and/or in special concrete containers At present, selection and characterization activities of an adequate site to locate the centralized repository are being carried out, which should be operational by the year 2023, in agreement with the schedule proposed in the draft of the last version of the Strategic Plan, prepared this year

  18. Plans In the same site, a new low level radioactive waste final disposal (near-surface system) will be built, which should be operational by 2020 and which will replace the present systems located at AGE. It is also projected to dispose there the very low level RW, mainly originated from the dismantling of nuclear facilities With respect to High Level and/or Long Lived Waste generated in the final stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, spent fuel is temporarily stored until a decision is adopted on its reprocessing or final disposal The PEGRR foresees to perform studies for sitting, construction and operation of a Deep Geological Repository. The deadline to adopt a decision on the possible reprocessing or final disposal of the SF is 2030 Some duly treated and conditioned Low and Intermediate Level of Long Lived Radioactive Waste will also be disposed of in the deep geological repository According to PEGRR, the need to count with this type of repository is foreseen by 2060. Thus, the activities performed with reference to this topic have been included in the Research and Development activities of the PNGRR

  19. Plans To continue with the development of activities of mathematical modeling of water flow in sedimentary and granitic matrix , taking into account different types of rock, which may be involved in a future repository Since studies conducive to determine the candidate sites continue, they imply a regional public acceptance, CNEA develops a plan on public communication of national scope as a stage prior to the formal acceptance of municipalities and provinces where new facilities could be located In order to select communication strategies, CNEA counted with IAEA assistance and other organizations in order to gain experiences of the field at an international level on the basis of a communication plan to a middle and long term

  20. National Programme

  21. IAEA, 09-13 September 2013 THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATENTION!!!

  22. Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear Av. del Libertador 8250 (C1429BNP) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA Tel.: (+54) (011) 4125-8436 Fax: (+54) (011) 4125-8460 http:// www.arn.gob.ar E-Mail: dalvarez@arn.gob.ar

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