[Table of Contents]

Plasma and Fusion Research

Volume 8, 3404041 (2013)

Regular Articles


Future Trend Toward the Ultimate Goal of Radwaste-Free Fusion: Feasibility of Recycling/Clearance, Avoiding Geological Disposal
Laila A. EL-GUEBALY
University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
(Received 19 June 2012 / Accepted 18 September 2012 / Published 22 May 2013)

Abstract

Electricity generating plants powered by fusion have long been envisioned as possessing inherent advantages for enhanced safety and benign environmental impact over the presently used fuels. However, fusion power plant designs developed to date tend to generate a sizable amount of mildly radioactive materials, compared to fission reactors. Proper handling of the anticipated quantities of activated materials is important to the future of fusion energy. The problem of handling such materials has been overlooked in many past fusion studies and/or relegated to the back-end as only a disposal issue. In fact, the geological disposal is not an environmentally attractive option. Here, we propose an integrated management strategy that can handle the sizable, mildly activated fusion materials and minimize the radwaste burden for future generations. More specifically, we propose recycling and clearing the majority of fusion activated materials, if technically and economically feasible, and avoiding the geological disposal option. Demo and power plant designs should consider recycling and clearance as much as practically possible. Internationally, numerous fission industries are currently developing advanced techniques for spent nuclear fuel reprocessing and several regulatory agencies have issued guidelines for the free release of clearable materials. Both developments will be of great importance to fusion.


Keywords

inertial fusion energy, fusion power plant, radioactive material, recycling, clearance, waste disposal, clearance index

DOI: 10.1585/pfr.8.3404041


References

  • [1] M. Dunne (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory), private communications (Apri1 2012).
  • [2] L. El-Guebaly, “Basic Concepts of Thermonuclear Fusion,” Chapter 5 in Nuclear Energy Encyclopedia: Science, Technology, and Applications, Steven B. Krivit and Jay H. Lehr, eds. (John Wiley & Sons, 2011) ISBN 978-0-470-89439-2.
  • [3] L. El-Guebaly, V. Massaut, K. Tobita and L. Cadwallader, Fusion Eng. Des. 83, Issues 7-9, 928 (2008).
  • [4] M. Zucchetti, L. Di Pace, L. El-Guebaly, B.N. Kolbasov, V. Massaut, R. Pampin and P. Wilson, Fusion Sci. Technol. 52, No. 2, 109 (2009).
  • [5] L. El-Guebaly, P. Wilson and D. Paige, Fusion Sci. Technol. 49, 62 (2006).
  • [6] L. El-Guebaly, Nucl. Fusion 47, 485 (2007).
  • [7] L. El-Guebaly, P. Wilson, D. Henderson and A. Varuttamaseni, Fusion Sci. Technol. 46, No. 3, 506 (2004).
  • [8] L. El-Guebaly, Fusion Sci. Technol. 47, No. 3, 544 (2005).
  • [9] L. El-Guebaly, P. Wilson, M. Sawan, D. Henderson and A. Varuttamaseni, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A 544, 104 (2005).
  • [10] M. Zucchetti, L. El-Guebaly, R.A. Forrest, T.D. Marshall, N.P. Taylor and K. Tobita, J. Nucl. Mater. 367-370, 1355 (2007).
  • [11] S. Reyes, J. Sanz and J. Latkowski, Fusion Eng. Des. 63-64, 257 (2002).
  • [12] Nuclear Regulatory Commission, “Radiological Assessments for Clearance of Materials from Nuclear Facilities,” Washington, D.C., Main Report, NUREG-1640 (2003). Available at: http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/nuregs/staff/sr1640/
  • [13] International Atomic Energy Agency, “Application of the Concepts of Exclusion, Exemption and Clearance,” IAEA Safety Standards Series, No. RS-G-1.7 (2004). Available at: http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/publications/PDF/Pub1202_web.pdf
  • [14] J.D. Sethian et al., IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci. 38, No. 4, Part 2, 690 (2010).
  • [15] Nuclear Regulatory Commission, 10CFR61, “Licensing Requirements for Land Disposal of Radioactive Waste,” Federal Register FR47, 57446 (1982).
  • [16] S. Fetter, E.T. Cheng and F.M. Mann, Fusion Eng. Des. 13, 239 (1990).

This paper may be cited as follows:

Laila A. EL-GUEBALY, Plasma Fusion Res. 8, 3404041 (2013).