NDA RWMD Research

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NDA RWMD Research Development StrategyRWIN
MeetingNeil Smart
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Contents

• Introduction
• Context
• Development of the RD Programme
• RWMD Current RD Themes
• How RWMD will Deliver RD
• How RWMD will Engage

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Introduction

• Managing Radioactive Waste Safely White Paper
  June 2008
• NDA responsible for planning and implementation
  of geological disposal in UK
• Sufficient research work available to be
  confident that geological disposal is technically
  achievable
• However, need for a continuing programme of
  research and development

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Definitions

• Research and development (RD) - creative work
  undertaken on a systematic basis in order to
  increase the stock of knowledge, including
  knowledge of individuals, culture and society and
  the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new
  applications. RD is a term covering three
  activities
• Fundamental Research original, exploratory
  investigation involving either experimental or
  theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire
  new knowledge and understanding of the underlying
  foundation of phenomena and observable facts,
  without any immediate application or use in view.
• Applied Research - investigation directed
  primarily towards a specific practical aim or
  objective which may involve using existing
  knowledge and understanding or acquiring new
  knowledge.
• Development - systematic work, drawing on
  existing knowledge gained from research and/or
  practical experience that is directed towards the
  production or substantial improvement of
  materials, products or devices, or to the design
  and development of processes, systems and
  services

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The Inventory
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Multi Barrier Concept
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The concept
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Our Current RD Themes

• Develop and expand our HLW and SF RD programme
• Support the development of future management
  strategies for materials such as uranium and
  plutonium
• Continue RD into ILW disposal
• Address implementation issues
• Prepare for site characterisation
• Investigate the social aspects of implementing a
  geological disposal facility

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Delivery Mechanisms

• Commission the RD we need from organisations
  with expertise in relevant fields
• Procure RD services through a competitive tender
  process
• Use a process of internal and external review to
  ensure technical quality
• Make the results of our RD widely available
• Evaluate all our RD outputs for
• the implications of the RD for the
  specification, design or assessments
• the requirement for any follow-on RD
• Deliver our RD programme in a manner that will
  encourage development of the skills base

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How we will Engage

• Universities
• work with university departments supporting our
  RD programme
• involve experts from universities in the review
  of our RD
• work with our NDA colleagues on initiatives to
  develop the UK nuclear skills base, specifically
• supporting departments or research groups to
  set-up centres of excellence relevant to
  geological disposal
• funding PhD students, directly via bursaries or
  through CASE studentships

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How we will Engage

• Commercial Organisations
• work with commercial organisations as key
  suppliers for our RD programme
• engage with experts from within these
  organisations on the outputs of our RD programme
  and its future direction.

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How we will Engage
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Summary

• We have developed a strategy to deliver RD to
  underpin Geological disposal in the UK
• Extensive engagement on Research requirements
• Identified 6 key themes for RD activities

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Development of the RWMD RD Programme
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Understanding the Research Needs
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(1) Develop Expand RD on HLW and Spent Fuel

• Underpin safety case for HLW and SF
• Provide technical guidance to support design
  choices
• Build on international experiences whilst
  addressing UK specific aspects of SF and HLW
• Liaise with sister organisations

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(2) Support Strategic options for U and Pu
Management

• Evaluate of processes for assessment of the
  disposability of U and Pu
• Commission research on possible wasteforms

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(3) Continue RD into ILW Disposal

• Long term experiments to underpin viability of a
  cementitious disposal concept
• Technical understanding of LoC submissions
• Improve understanding of package longevity issues
• Consider use of alternative encapsulatants /
  processes
• Address uncertainties such as C-14 release or
  effects of non aqueous phase liquids

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(4) Implementation Issues

• Develop design of waste transport containers
• Design of waste package options
• Evaluation of implications of disposing of higher
  activity waste in a single facility
• Consideration of waste retrievability issues
• Development of methodologies for backfilling,
  sealing and closure

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(5) Prepare for site characterisation

• Learn from overseas programmes
• Address any challenges specific to UK geology
• Enhance interface between site characterisation
  and research activities

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(6) Social Science

• Plan and implement effective strategies to engage
  with public
• Draw on international experiences
• Participate in a range of international research
  projects