Delivering safe geological disposal of nuclear waste in the UK

摘要

This paper discusses Radioactive Waste Management Limited's plans for implementing UK government policy for the safe geological disposal of UK's higher-activity radioactive waste. As a pioneer of nuclear technology, the UK has accumulated a diverse legacy of higher-activity radioactive waste. The paper provides a brief history of the project to date and key developments to be expected in the coming years. The paper gives an overview of the safety of geological disposal, and provides examples of the approach to ensure confidence in safety during the transport, operational and post-closure phases. It discusses the challenges in the design, construction and operation of a project with a lifetime of more than 100 years. Finally, the paper considers commonalities between the UK project and international experiences in this topic.