Deep Borehole Disposal Of Intermediate-level Waste: Progress From Australia’s RD&D Project

Australia is evaluating deep borehole disposal as a potential solution for its long-lived intermediate level waste. This waste originates mainly from research reactors and radiopharmaceutical production and requires deep geologic disposal. Because of the relatively small volumes, deep borehole disposal would be a cost-effective, and modular, solution. The CSIRO, ANSTO and SANDIA international partnership, supported by regional experts from the Pacific Rim Partnership, will execute a full-scale borehole research, development and demonstration (RD&D) project in Australia. The project will demonstrate the technical feasibility and the long-term safety of vertical borehole disposal. The execution of this project could also demonstrate options for nuclear waste disposal that would reduce proliferation risks, potentially up to the termination of compliance with international safeguards requirements. The RD&D includes demonstration of surface handling and full-scale field testing of waste/seal emplacement capabilities in a 0.7-m-diameter, 2000-m-deep demonstration borehole, post-closure safety assessments and safety case development.