Waste acceptability and quality control for the planned Konrad repository

In the Federal Republic of Germany, it is intended to dispose of radioactive wastes with negligible heat generation in the planned Konrad repository near Braunschweig. According to the Atomic Energy Act the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is responsible for the construction and operation of this facility. The PTB has demonstrated the safe operation of the planned Konrad repository by means of a site specific safety assessment. As a result, on the basis of the planning and safety related work, preliminary waste acceptance requirements have been compiled. The waste packages intended for disposal are examined, i.e. the disposability of individual waste packages and of their annual total is assessed on the basis of model data. For the assessment of the annual total the year 2000 was taken as a reference. This assessment of the suitability for disposal shows that almost all waste packages intended for disposal can, in principle, be emplaced in the Konrad repository. Some particular requirements on the disposal of waste packages resulting from this examination are discussed in detail. For radioactive wastes to be disposed of, compliance with the waste acceptance requirements must be demonstrated within the scope of the waste package quality control. The waste producer is responsible for and must demonstrate compliance with these requirements. On behalf of the PTB, on the basis of the documents submitted the Produktkontrollstelle (PKS) examines whether proof has been established by the waste producer, and usually performs additional sampling inspections of waste packages. Alternatively, the waste producer may have a qualification and inspection of the conditioning process carried out by the PKS on behalf of the PTB. A survey of the status of the waste package quality control is given. 13 refs, 3 figs, 4 tabs