• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.191-205
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• 2009

To characterize the geological features in the study area for high-level radioactive waste disposal research, KAERI (Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute) has been performing several geological investigations such as geophysical surveys and borehole drillings since 1997. Especially, the KURT (KAERI Underground Research Tunnel) constructed to understand the deep geological environments in 2006. Recently, the deep boreholes, which have 500 m depth inside the left research module of the KURT and 1,000 m depth outside the KURT, were drilled to confirm and validate the results from a geological model. The objective of this research was to investigate hydrogeological conditions using a 3-D geological model around the KURT. The geological analysis from the surface and borehole investigations determined four important geologicla elements including subsurface weathered zone, low-angled fractures zone, fracture zones and bedrock for the geological model. In addition, the geometries of these elements were also calculated for the three-dimensional model. The results from 3-D geological model in this study will be beneficial to understand hydrogeological environment in the study area as an important part of high-level radioactive waste disposal technology.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.629-642
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• 2023

Currently, low and intermediate level radioactive waste is being disposed of at the Gyeongju disposal site for permanent isolation. Since 2006, the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency has been conducting site characteristics surveys continuously verifying changes in the site based on the site monitoring and investigation plan. The hydrogeochemical environment of the disposal site is considered for the evaluation of natural barriers. However, the seawater must be considered because of the regional characteristics of Gyeongju, which is near the East Sea. Therefore, this study, collected 30 samples for deriving the groundwater quality data from seven wells and compared with two seawater samples collected from October 2017 to June 2022. Additionally, the study explores the groundwater monitoring method using statistical tools such as clustering and background concentration analysis. The groundwater samples in the study area were classified into two to four clusters depending on their chemical constituents-especially, EC, HCO₃, Na, and Cl-using statistical analysis, molar ratio, and K-means clustering.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.181-189
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• 2011

The smooth construction and operation of nuclear facilities requires understanding and support of both the local residents and the national people. It is essential that our country, which should maintain using nuclear energy for national energy security and economic growth, shall improve the social acceptance of nuclear energy. In order to identify the level of social acceptance of nuclear energy, this study investigated the perception of the local residents in Gyeongju and the public in other areas on a nuclear power plant and a low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility through an individual interview. The subjects of the investigation were 450 persons. This study identified that perceptions of the respondents were somewhat dependent on the residential area, and derived the implications to be reflected in establishing the customized public-relation strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Concrete Institute
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.321-329
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• 2013

Recently, the medium-low level radioactive waste from nuclear power plant must be transported from temporary storage to the final repository. Medium-low level radioactive waste, which is composed mainly of the liquid ion exchange resin, has been consolidated with cementitious material in the plastic or iron container. Since cementitious material is brittle, it would generate cracks by impact load during transportation, signifying leakage of radioactive ray. In order to design the safety transporting equipment, there is a need to check the compressive strength of the current waste. However, because it is impossible to measure strength by direct method due to leakage of radioactive ray, we will estimate the strength indirectly by the dynamic modulus of elasticity. Therefore, it must be identified the relationship between of strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity. According to the waste acceptance criteria, the compressive strength of cement based solid is defined as more than 3.44 MPa (500 psi). Compressive strength of the present solid is likely to be significantly higher than this baseline because of continuous hydration of cement during long period. On this background, we have tried to produce the specimens of the 28 day's compressive strength of 3 to 30 MPa having the same material composition as the solid product for the medium-low level radioactive waste, and analyze the relationship between the strength and the dynamic modulus of elasticity. By controling the addition rates of AE agent, we made the mixture containing the ion exchange resin and showing the target compressive strength (3~30 MPa). The dynamic modulus of elasticity of this mixtures is 4.1~10.2 GPa, about 20 GPa lower in the equivalent compressive strength level than that of ordinary concrete, and increasing the discrepancy according to increase strength. The compressive strength and the dynamic modulus of elasticity show the liner relationship.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.119-131
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• 2020

A numerical model was developed using COMSOL Multiphysics to evaluate groundwater flow that causes radionuclide migration in the unsaturated zone of a near-surface disposal facility, which is considered as a domestic low and an intermediate-level radioactive waste disposal facility. Each scenario was modeled by constructing a two-dimensional domain that included the disposal vault, backfill, disposal cover, and unsaturated aquifer. A comparison of the continuous and intermittent rainfall conditions exhibited no significant difference in any of the factors considered except the wave pattern of water saturation. The input data, such as porosity and residual water content of the unsaturated aquifer, were observed to not have a significant effect on the groundwater flow. However, the hydraulic conductivity of the unsaturated aquifer was found to have a significant effect on the groundwater flow. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the hydraulic conductivity of an unsaturated aquifer to determine the extent of groundwater infiltration into the disposal vault.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.105-134
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• 2008

Local opposition and protest constitute single greatest hurdle to the siting of locally unwanted land uses(LULUs), especially siting of high-level radioactive disposal not only throughout Korea but also throughout the industrialized world. It can be attributed mainly to the NIMBYism, equity problem, and lack of participation. These problems are arisen from rational planning process which emphasizes instrumental rationality. But planning is a value-laden political activity, in which substantive rationality is central. To achieve this goals, we need a sound planning process for siting LULUs, which should improve the ability of citizens to influence the decisions that affects them. By a sound planning process, we mean one that is open to citizen input and contains accurate and complete information. In other word, the public is also part of the goal setting process and, as the information and analyses developed by the planners are evaluated by the public, strategies for solutions can be developed through consensus-building. This method is called as a co-operative siting process, and must be structured in order to arrive at publicly acceptable decisions. The followings are decided by consensus-building method. 1. Negotiation will be held? 2. What is the benefits and risks of negotiation? 3. What are solutions when collisions between national interests and local ones come into? 4. What are the agendas? 5. What is the community' role in site selection? 6. Are there incentives to negotiation. 7. Who are the parties to the negotiation? 8. Who will represent the community? 9. What groundwork of negotiation is set up? 10. How do we assure that the community access to information and expert? 11. What happens if negotiation is failed? 12. Is it necessary to trust each other in negotiations? 13. Is a mediator needed in negotiations?

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.297-306
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• 2008

This study was carried out to identify the characteristics of hydrochemistry controlling groundwater chemical condition in a repository site of Gyeongju. For this study, 12 bore holes of all monitoring bore holes in the study area were selected and total 46 groundwater samples were collected with depth. In addition, 3 surfacewater samples and 1 seawater sample were collected. For water samples, cations and anions were analyzed. The environmental isotopes(${\delta}^{18}O-{\delta}D$, Tritium, ${\delta}^{13}C,\;{\cdot}{\delta}^{34}S$) were also analyzed to trace the origin of water and solutes. The result of ${\delta}^{18}O\;and\;{\delta}D$ analysis showed that surface water and groundwater were originated from precipitation. Tritium concentrations of groundwater decreased with depth but high concentrations of tritium indicated that groundwater was recharged recently. The results of ion and correlation analysis showed that groundwater types of the study area were represented by Ca-Na-$HCO_3$ and Na-Cl-$SO_4$, which was caused by sea spray and water-rock interaction. Especially, high ratio of Na content in groundwater resulted from ion exchange. For redox condition of groundwater, the values of DO and Eh decreased with depth, which indicated that reducing condition was formed in deeper groundwater. In addtion, high concentration of Fe and Mn showed that redox condition of groundwater was controlled by the reduction of Fe and Mn oxides.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2011

It is clarified in the radioactive waste transfer regulation that the concentration of radioactive waste for the major radio nuclide has to be examined when radioactive waste is guided to the radioactive waste stores. In case of the low level radioactive waste sample, the analytical results of radioactive waste concentration frequently show a value lower than minimum detectable activity (MDA). Since the MDA value basically depends on the amount of a sample, background value, measurement time, counting efficiency, and etc, it would be necessary to increase a sample amount with a intention of minimizing MDA. In order to measure a concentration of $^{129}I$ in low and medium level radioactive waste, $^{129}I$ was collected by using a distillation technique after leaching the simulated radioactive waste sample with a non-volatile acid. The recovery of $^{129}I$ measured was compared with that measured with column elution technique which is a conventional method using an anion-exchange resin. The recovery of inactive iodide by using the distillation method and column elution were found as $86.5{\pm}0.9%$ and $87.3{\pm}2.7%$, respectively. The recovery and MDA value calculated for distillation technique when 100 g of extracted solution of $^{129}I$ was taken, were found to be $84.6{\pm}1.6%$ and $1.2{\times}10^{-4}Bq/g$, respectively. Consequently, the proposed technique with simplified process lowered the MDA value more than 10 times compared to the column elution technique that has a disadvantage of limited sampling amount.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.265-274
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• 1995

Diffusivity of ions of radioactive species is an important factor for designing radwaste repositories. Clay minerals are used as a backfill material. In this study, diffusion of Co-60 ions through the bentonite having various densities has been studied, using a diffusion cell. The measured diffusivities of Co-60 ions decreased as the density of bentonite increased. The diffusivity of Co-60 ion decreased from $8.79{\times}10^{11}m^2/s$ to $6.82{\times}10-13m^2/s$ as the clay dry bulk density increased from 0.41 to 2.03g/cm3. The diffusivity of Co ion was larger than that of Sr ion at low density, but the diffusivity of Co ion decreased rapidly as the density of clay increased and became smaller than that of Cs ion at high density. This phenomenon is thought to be caused by the rapid decrease of the fraction of mobile cation since the chemical combination of Co ions with oxygen or oxide on clay surface and the entrance of Co ions into the crystal structure of clay increase as the clay density increases. This change should be considered especially in designing the clay back fill for low and intermediate radwaste disposal facilities.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.77-85
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• 2004

Regulations and guidelines for radioactive waste disposal require detailed information about the characteristics of radioactive waste drums prior to transport to the disposal sites. However, estimation of radionuclide concentrations in the drummed radioactive waste is difficult and unreliable. In order to overcome this difficulty, scaling factor (SF) method has been used to assess the activities of radionuclides, which could not be directly analyzed. A radioactive waste assay system has been operated at Korean nuclear power plant (KORI site) since 1996 and consolidated SF concept has played a dominant role in the determination of radionuclide concentrations. However, SFs are somewhat dispersive and limited in KORI site. Therefore establishment of the assay system using more improved SFs is planned and progressed. In this paper, the scope of research is briefly introduced. For the selection of more reliable activity determination method, the accuracy of predicted SF values for each activity determination method is compared. From the comparison of each activity determination method, it is recommended that SF determination method should be changed from the arithmetic mean to the geometrical mean for more reliable estimation of radionuclide activity. Arithmetic mean method and geometric mean method are compared based on the data set in KORI system. And, this change of SF determination method will prevent an inordinate over-estimation of radionuclide inventory in radwaste drum.