Research and Development of Rock Cavity Disposal Technology in China

Abstract

Rock cavity disposal is regarded as a preferred option of radioactive waste final disposal solutions with less disturbance to surface and better isolation from people and surface environment which facilitates the long term surveillance and control of facility both during operation and after closure. This paper provides the research progress of key aspects of rock cavity disposal technology, such as site selection criteria, engineering design scheme of disposal vaults, technique process design of the handling of waste packages, research & development of intelligent control system and equipment of waste transportation, documentation of safety case and supporting safety assessment, numerical simulation of radionuclides migration process, and etc. The first practice of rock cavity disposal in China is also discussed. It shows that developing the rock cavity technology is reasonable, feasible and has significant potential in China. Finally, this paper looks forward to the research focus in the next stage. It is suggested to study the compatibility between the complexity level of engineering barrier measures and the waste hazards and to improve the reliability of future evolution and scenario assumption. The nuclides migration behavior study and migration parameter determination involving more key nuclides in waste from other origins are also of importance.