Improved Design Features for ACR-700 Radioactive Waste Management Systems

Abstract

The management of radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plants is receiving increased international attention. With the first generation of nuclear reactors coming to a close, many plant records have shown that integrated radioactive waste management; covering the management of all types of radioactive waste, are economically as well as environmentally beneficial. The paper discusses the sources of radioactive wastes and improved design features introduced in ACR-700 in comparison to CANDU 6 that reduce the generation of wastes and presents the Radioactive Waste Management design of ACR-700. The philosophy throughout the design of Radioactive Waste Management Systems (RWMS) of ACR-700 has been to optimize systems by exploiting operating experience from existing CANDU plants to ensure that the radioactive waste is managed in a manner that protects both human health and the environment now and in the future.