“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

IAEA, 09-13 September 2013

Nuclear Sector in Argentina related to RW & SF management

Argentine Government

Nuclear Regulatory Authority(ARN) Ministry of Federal Planning,

Public Invest & Services

Secretary of Energy

National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA)

Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA)

SF / RW Management NPP´s Operator

- National Law Nº 24804 (1997)

to regulate the Nuclear Activity

CNEASF and RW management responsibility + Research & Development + National Government advisor

ARN to regulate and supervise the nuclear activity (radiological and nuclear safety, physical protection and safeguards)

- National Law Nº 25018 (1998)

to determine the Radioactive Waste Management Regime Propose 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

Legal Framework

ATUCHA IIPHWR 745 MWe

Start up 2014

ATUCHA IPHWR 357MWe

In Operation Since 1973

CAREM NPP 25 MWe

New CNEA Design Protoype

EMBALSEPHWR - 648 MWe

Operating Since 1984

4TH NPPApproved by

Law

Supplier & Site to be defined

Atucha Site

NPP

Nuclear activities

•Research Reactors•Fuel Cycle facilities•Other Nuclear Installations•Industrial & Medical Radioisotopes•Educational Institutions

Ezeiza Atomic Center

Bariloche Atomic Center

Constituyentes Atomic Center

Atomic Centres

Nuclear activities

- Argentine experience in Research Reactors: local and abroad

- Radioisotopes Production: Co60 (Industrial Use) Mo99

I131

others

-Mining Sites: one in standby (Sierra Pintada) one in exploration stage (Cerro Solo) eight under remediation

Nuclear activities

OPAL-Australia

- 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

Spent Fuel 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

Radioactive Waste management policies

Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant: decayand 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 subsequentinterim dry storage in concrete silos

Spent Fuel management practices (NPP)

Radioactive Waste Classification

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

Low Level 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

According to waste categories

SYSTEM FOR DISPOSAL OF STRUCTURAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND SEALED SOURCES

Radioactive Waste management practices

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

According to waste categories

Radioactive Waste management practices

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)

According to waste categories

Radioactive Waste management practices

Low Level Solid Radioactive Waste Treatment Facilities (**) Deposit for Interim Storage of Radioactive Sources and Waste Handling Yard and Storage of Items

Long Term Storage Deposit

System for Final Disposal of Structural Solid Radioactive Waste and Sealed Sources (*)

Semi Containment System for Solid Radioactive Waste - trenches (*)Semi Containment System for Very Low Level Liquid Radioactive Waste and Very Short Periods - trenches (*)

(*)These facilities have finished their operation stage.(**)This facility is in a state of partial dismantling in order to expand its operations.

EZEIZA RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AREA - AGE

Semi Containment System for Solid Radioactive Waste

Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

Facility for Immobilization by Cementation of Liquid Radioactive Waste and Non-compactable and Structural Solid Radioactive Waste Treatment & Conditioning of Solid Radioactive Waste System Storage Facilities for Solid Radioactive WasteStorage System for Mechanical Filters from the Reactors Primary Circuit Storage System for Spent Ionic Exchange Resin Beds Discharge System for Gaseous and Liquid Radioactive Waste

ATUCHA I NPP

New mechanical filters storage

Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

System for the Treatment & Conditioning of Solid Radioactive WasteStorage Facilities for Solid Radioactive Waste Spent Resin Storage Tanks Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment SystemGaseous Radioactive Waste Treatment System----------------------------------------------- Underground silos for filters and contaminated structurals

EMBALSE NPP

Mechanical filters, activated and contaminated structurals storage

Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

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

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

Plans

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

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

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

Type of Liability

Long Term Management Policy

Funding of LiabilitiesCurrent Practice/

FacilitiesPlanned Facilities

Spent Fuel

Reprocessing decision TBD

Final disposal

Facility Operator CNA I: NPP Wet Storage CNE: NPP 6 y Wet Stor. CNE: NPP Dry Storage RRII: Wet Storage

(DCMFEI)

CNA I: Dry Storage RRII: Wet Storage

(FACIRI)

Nuclear Fuel Cycle Waste

Disposal Facility Operator LLW: Storage + Disposal

LLW: Management Facility

ILW: Storage

LLW (+ILW):(2023) Centralized

Repository ILW & HLW: Deep

Geolog. Reposit. (feasibility)(2030/60)

LLW: Manag. Facil.

Non Power Wastes

Disposal Waste Generator LLW: Storage + Disposal

ILW: Storage

LLW: Centralized Repository

LLW: Mangement Facility (PTAMB)

Decommissioning Liabilities

Decommissining Plan

(regulatory requirement)

NPP, RRII and other State owner Facilities: National State

Facility operator, private owner.

None Facility in closure process

LLW: Centralized Repository

VLLW: Centralized Repository

Disused Sealed

Sources

Reuse Disposal

Source User Reencapsulation: Sealed Sources Plant

Storage + Disposal (short lived)

Storage (long lived)

LLW: Centralized Repository

ILW & HLW: Deep Geolog. Repository

National Programme

THANK YOU VERY MUCH THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATENTION!!!FOR YOUR ATENTION!!!

IAEA, 09-13 September 2013

Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear

Av. del Libertador 8250 (C1429BNP) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINATel.: (+54) (011) 4125-8436Fax: (+54) (011) 4125-8460

http:// www.arn.gob.arE-Mail: dalvarez@arn.gob.ar