Management of solid waste in the nuclear fuel cycle: Cogema's solution - abs08

Like any other industry, the nuclear industry generates waste. This waste is special because of the radioactivity it contains. Management of waste generated by back-end cycle facilities in nuclear reprocessing plants, and which cannot be stored in surface repositories under current French regulations (ILW and HLW), is specifically described. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of COGEMA's Integrated Waste Management Strategy. The topics discussed include: waste minimization (from facility design to operating feedback), and untreated waste management by the plant operator, including waste characterization, waste treatment for optimum volume reduction, and the methodology for establishment of conditioned waste specifications to be considered for final repository design. (authors)