Summary of the Panel Discussion Concluding
Session V on Partitioning and Transmutation
Panel V: “Impact of P&T on Waste Management and Geological Disposal”
Chairman:
Mr. G. Heusener (DE)
Panel members:
Mr. H.A. Abderrahim, SCK•CEN (BE)
Mrs. S. King, UK Nirex (UK)
Mr. J.M. Cavedon, CEA (FR)
According to the panel Chairman, the five technical presentations on P&T indicated that significant
progress has been achieved in FP5. Research on P&T is necessary because the public is concerned
by the nuclear waste to be buried underground. The public will judge the usefulness of the research.
Three panellists initiated the discussion in the respective areas:
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The issues for societal acceptance of the waste management strategies;
Impact of the advanced (critical) reactor systems on waste management;
Impact of Accelerator Driven System (ADS) on waste management.
Samantha King, UK Nirex (UK), discussed the issues for societal acceptance of the waste
management strategies. She mentioned that the reduction of the inventory of some long lived
radionuclides and the integration into future waste management strategy are two advantages of
P&T. However, they are offset by limited applicability and reduction in risk, more reprocessing,
new waste generation, increased dose to personnel and the non availability of the technology today.
Concerning waste management, she believes that it is an ethical issue – value driven. The waste
exists, credible options allow this generation to deal with it. It should be dealt with on behalf of the
public. Developing legitimacy is key to public acceptance.
Jean-Marc Cavedon, CEA (FR), showed the different technical possibilities for the implementation
of P&T (such as global minor actinide separation versus transuranic elements (TRU) selective
partitioning, heterogeneous versus homogeneous incineration, thermal versus fast neutron spectrum,
critical versus sub-critical systems), which are still under investigation. The implementation of P&T
will have to fulfil several criteria, e.g. sustainability (natural resources utilisation, long lived waste
minimisation), fissile material denaturation, reduced inventories and reduced activity and
radiotoxicity in final disposal and in overall fuel cycle and economy. In conclusion, Jean-Marc
Cavedon compared three options: (i) using Light Water Reactors (LWR) for TRU transmutation
could be a medium term solution to decrease the TRU inventory, but it would have a strong impact
on current fuel cycle facilities; (ii) using ADS requires R&D for viability and feasibility and is not
sustainable per se; (iii) using Fast Neutron Reactors (FNR) and global TRU recycling, as four of the
six Generation IV systems, is sustainable and has promising prospects for resolving new fuel cycle
issues.
Hamid Aït Abderrahim, SCK·CEN (BE), discussed the impact of ADS on waste management.
Partitioning can have an impact on the high level waste management, when minor actinides, longlived fission products and heat producing isotopes are removed from it. FNRs and ADS have in
theory similar transmutation efficiency. An ADS is a sub-critical fast neutron reactor coupled to a
neutron producing source (proton beam from an accelerator impinging on a neutron spallation
target). A sub-critical machine (ADS) is better suited than a critical one (FNR) to have full core
loadings of minor actinides because of their smaller delayed neutron fraction. More than 80
European partners from nuclear research centres, from nuclear industry and from 30 to 35
universities, are participating in the FP5 research projects on P&T. To continue these R&D
activities, an integrated project on transmutation with ADS is being prepared for submission in
response to the second call of FP6.
During the discussion, the following comments were made:
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As geological disposal is a long term issue, there is time to do research on ADS. It is supported
to keep competence in the countries, which are not allowed to do research on future systems.
However, whereas ADS can only burn waste, critical FNRs can produce electricity as well as
incinerate waste.
When there is a renaissance of nuclear energy, the nuclear community must have answers to
questions concerning safety and radioactive waste management.
ADS research is addressing societal issues, which are attracting young people, who are sensitive
to these problems.
The nuclear community must be honest and transparent with the public on the question of
nuclear waste. The public will have to be informed about the advantages and disadvantages of
P&T in terms of waste management before deciding on the solution to be implemented to solve
the nuclear waste problem.