Development of DGR System Concept for Radioactive Waste from Pyro-processing of CANDU SNFs

In this study, DGR concept for radioactive waste from pyro-processing of CANDU SNFs is developed. Identical material balance for PWR (MB 2.6.0) and mass ratio of radioactive nuclides to binding material for LiCl-KCl waste is applied to determine specification of waste form, packing/disposal canister. Optimum thermal dimensioning is estimated to be 40 m for disposal tunnel and 8 m for disposal hole pitch through ABAQUS thermal analyses. To reduce volume and toxicity of PWR SNFs, the P and T technology using pyro-processing and SFR is under development in KAERI. CANDU SNFs are not considered as a subject of P and T because of its low fissile content caused by use of natural uranium as a fuel material. However, contention that not only PWR SNFs but also CANDU SNFs must be re-used is raised constantly. To evaluate impact of application of P and T on CANDU SNFs in the perspective of disposal, DGR system concept for radioactive waste from pyroprocessing of CANDU SNFs based on material balance version 2.6.0 is developed in this study. The disposal area is expected to be about 20,800 m² for disposal of 842,000 CANDU fuel bundles.