The conceptual design of deep geological disposal in France: A basis for research and development

This paper presents the status of the conceptual design studies performed in France in the field of long-lived waste geological disposal: these studies are a basis for Research and Development. The paper shows how these studies meet with the requirements of the law voted by the French Parliament on December 30, 1992, as well as those of the French Basic Safety Rule. Long-term and operational safety issues provide major guidelines for the conceptual design. Provisions are made to avoid unacceptable disturbance of the confinement capability of the barriers consisting in waste package, engineered barrier, and geological barrier. The long borehole disposal concept has been considered as a reference for both crystalline and sedimentary formations. The vault concept designed for disposal of no heat emitting waste in hard rock is also described in the paper. Alternative concepts are being studied, with respect to retrievability as required by law