Generic cost estimates, site screening, and site design of low- and intermediate-level waste system

Abstract

Most of the wastes produced in the developing countries are low- and intermediate-level wastes. These wastes are initially stored on-site. Since applications using of the radioactive materials is increasing, in some countries, the radioactive wastes are accumulating to the point that the initial on-site storage has to be expanded. In order to increase interim storage capacity, existing capacity must be increased or replaced with a new permanent facility. The waste management system cost must be considered to achieve the most cost effectiveness. The management of radioactive waste includes every step in the system from the waste generator to the final disposal. The major costs in the waste system are: processing costs, transportation costs, and burial costs. However, modification of one step to reduce its cost may impact other costs in the system and even increase total costs as well. Computer models have been developed that simulate the entire system so that interactive may be evaluated to determine for estimating the generic total waste system cost and average unit disposal cost. The radioactive waste materials produced in Thailand are used as input data to test the models. The preliminary site screening and site design study to identify the potentially suitable site areas are also performed in this study. The sensitivity analyses obtained from the disposal model show that the rate of return or interest rate, the operating cost and the capital costs affect the disposal unit cost. The development, and postoperating period do not affect on the disposal unit cost. The results obtained from system cost model show that type of waste, volume reduction factor, and treatment technology affect the waste management system cost.