The decision to close Ignalina NPP has significantly increased the urgency for a repository for low- and intermediate-level waste in Lithuania. It is generally considered necessary to have a licensed repository in operation before dismantling activities are initiated in order to avoid large and unnecessary costs for interim storage of waste. In the frame of bilateral cooperation with Sweden, consortium of three Swedish companies SKB-SWECO International-Westinghouse Atom developed and in the year 2002 presented to RATA reference design of a near surface repository in Lithuania. This reference design is applicable to the needs of Lithuania, considering its hydro-geological, climatic and other environmental conditions and is able to cover the expected needs in Lithuania for at least twenty years ahead. The basic principles for the proposed reference design are location above the ground water, foundation on firm basis, rock, densified sand or equivalent, a hill-type construction with vaults and engineered low-permeable clay based barrier consisting of smectitic clay of sedimentary origin covered by a surface barrier. The engineered barriers consist of the waste matrix, the waste packagings, the disposal container outer concrete, backfill between disposal containers, concrete cells surrounded by low-permeable clay-based material, all covered by long-lasting surface barrier with an erosion-resisting top. Water will be drained off by the surface barrier and collected in run-off ditches. The proposed reference design was accepted by authorities as a basis for further development of the repository in Lithuania. In the overall plan for the implementation of the repository prepared by RATA it is foreseen that repository should be in licensed operation in the year of 2011 depending on financing provided. The total cost of the repository project is estimated to be in the order of 140–240 MEUR. This year RATA is starting site selection phase which consists of area survey, regional mapping, screening, site characterisation and site confirmation.
Skip Nav Destination
ASME 2003 9th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation
September 21–25, 2003
Oxford, England
Conference Sponsors:
- Nuclear Engineering Division and Environmental Engineering Division
ISBN:
0-7918-3732-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Plans for Establishment of Near Surface Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Short Lived Radioactive Waste in Lithuania
Algirdas Vaidotas
RATA
Dainius Jan•nas
RATA
Paper No:
ICEM2003-4572, pp. 413-422; 10 pages
Published Online:
February 24, 2009
Citation
Vaidotas, A, & Jan•nas, D. "Plans for Establishment of Near Surface Repository for Low- and Intermediate-Level Short Lived Radioactive Waste in Lithuania." Proceedings of the ASME 2003 9th International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation. 9th ASME International Conference on Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation: Volumes 1, 2, and 3. Oxford, England. September 21–25, 2003. pp. 413-422. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ICEM2003-4572
Download citation file:
10
Views
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Articles
The Fabulous Nuclear Odyssey of Belgium
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (June,2009)
Below the Horizon
Mechanical Engineering (December,2010)
Effects of Supersaturated Silicic Acid Concentration on Deposition Rate Around Geological Disposal System
ASME J of Nuclear Rad Sci (October,2017)
Related Chapters
Subsection NCA—General Requirements for Division 1 and Division 2
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Volume 1, Third Edition
Subsection NCA—General Requirements for Division 1 and Division 2
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Volume 1, Second Edition
Dismantling
Decommissioning Handbook