Abstract
The management of spent fuel (SF), vitrified high-level waste (HLW) and long-lived intermediate-
level waste (TRU) principally from reprocessing is based on the concept of deep geological
disposal, i.e. long-term isolation of the waste in suitable, deep-lying rock formations. The first
project studies carried out by Nagra in this connection date back more than 20 years (Nagra
1980) and looked at the option of disposal in crystalline basement rock and clay. The disposal
strategy developed by Nagra over the years ties in closely with the concept of "monitored, longterm
geological disposal" as formulated in the most recent requirements of the authorities
(EKRA 2000, KEG 2001).
This report forms part of the series produced for the Entsorgungsnachweis Project, which also
includes a geological synthesis report on the region of the Zürcher Weinland (Nagra 2002a) and
a safety assessment report (Nagra 2002b). The purpose of the Project is to demonstrate the
feasibility of disposing of SF/HLW/TRU in Northern Switzerland.
The aim of this report is to investigate the engineering feasibility of constructing a repository for
SF/HLW/TRU in the Opalinus Clay of the Zürcher Weinland and to provide project-specific
input for the long-term safety assessment. Therefore, a concept for the facilities and operation of
the repository was elaborated. The individual structural elements and components for which the
feasibility demonstration was performed are part of a modular system, which is brought together
to form a stand-alone project, presented in this report as the Reference Project.
This Reference Project is the end-result of the procedure summarised below, which consists of
the following steps:
- Outlining a general procedure for handling and emplacing radioactive waste, including
engineered barriers and facility design based on specific boundary conditions and requirements.
- Approximate design of transport and handling equipment and specification of the clearance
profiles for the different underground structures.
- Determining the stress on key drift and tunnel cross-sections and preliminary design of rock
support measures; consideration of construction procedures.
- Reviewing operational safety, ventilation and consideration of retrievability; definition of
the Reference Project drawing on experience from other construction projects; investigation
of closure of the facility.
In order to test the flexibility of the system, "what-if" scenarios in the form of possible alternative
solutions or alternative measures have been discussed on a case-specific basis. As a result
of the work that has been performed, the following conclusion can be drawn:
A deep geological repository in the Opalinus Clay of the Zürcher Weinland for spent fuel from
the operation of the Swiss nuclear power plants and for vitrified high-level and long-lived
intermediate-level waste mainly from reprocessing can be constructed and operated and can be
closed within a few years using currently available technology and in accordance with legally
prescribed safety standards. Societal requirements relating to monitoring and control, as
formulated in the draft of the new Nuclear Energy Law of 2001, are fulfilled. The retrievability
of emplaced waste is also assured. Spatial reserves exist and the concept for facilities and
operation offers a high degree of flexibility for the continuation of the project.
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