Demonstration of the Spent Fuel Disposal Techniques Test Program in the Federal Republic of Germany

One result of the German R and D-program ''Alternative Spent Fuel Management and Disposal Techniques'' was the fact that there is practically no difference concerning radiological safety regards between both the back ends of the nuclear fuel cycle of fuel reprocessing and disposal of spent fuel. In January 1985 the German government recommended the further development of the option for the direct disposal to prove its technical application. This paper will outline the conceptual design for the disposal techniques of spent fuel and the test program which is necessary to demonstrate the reliable and safe handling with these techniques and to create proven facts for a public licensing procedure. This program consists of inactive and active tests (using radioactive sources) in surface facilities and in the ASSE salt mine, the German R and D underground facility for the disposal of radioactive waste