Knowledge

Wolseong Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center

Source 📝

243:
Additionally, the general public was troubled by past siting attempts, which were by their very nature undemocratic, lacked disclosure of information, and employed oppressive countermeasures against locals. These events promoted public skepticism towards the governmental expression of urgency over the need for a disposal site and gave opposing parties fuel against the use of nuclear energy. There is a fundamental difference in how either party (government vs. environmentalists) view radioactive waste. The government defines it as an indispensable by-product that is inevitably generated in an effort to solve the energy problem. The opposing side, usually joined by the locals, has it defined as a disastrous side effect caused by the use of nuclear energy, which should be fundamentally avoided. Often there is a conflict of interest between promoting the nation's productivity and the local economy. Additionally, there is a large gap between public perception of events and what is reported by experts, such as
448:
reinforcements, leaching and loss of calcium, and other various chemical interactions caused by interaction with the water table. Dissolution by sulfate attacks is estimated to be 1.03*10^-3 cm/yr, which has been determined to be negligible. Leaching of calcium hydroxide is calculated to be 2*10^-3 cm/yr, also determined to be insignificant. However, attack by chlorides on the steel has determined to be 4.3*10^-2 cm/year, resulting in complete degradation after 1400 years; these values are hardly negligible and represent warnings of the possibility of leaching of radionuclides due to a weakened barrier.
472: 1032: 898: 849: 1068: 75: 1116: 1007: 995: 983: 1044: 911: 325: 1092: 1080: 971: 959: 947: 935: 1104: 873: 1056: 923: 861: 102: 201:
Materials include paper, clothing, and other materials that may have been exposed to radioactivity. Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste (ILRW)has greater levels and periods of radioactivity. These materials may require a geologic burial. These materials include resins, reactor fuel rod cladding, and strongly contaminated materials. High-level radioactive waste is generated as byproducts of the
174:. Regional topography consists of hills of elevation ranging from 100 to 250 meters with an overall slope eastward towards the sea. Streams mirror this eastward trend and empty towards the sea. Groundwater generally flows in an easterly direction, dependent on topographical hills, ridges, and valleys. 200:
Low-Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) includes radioisotope waste generated in industry, hospitals, research, and the objects associated with the nuclear fuel cycle. LLRW rarely needs shielding and consists mainly of items with short-lived radioactivity. Usually, they are compacted and shallowly buried.
459:
of 0.34. The permeability of the soil regime underlying the waste disposal site is 4.5x10^-8 m/s. The area underlying the silo's site contains minerals indicating hydrothermal circulation and alteration. Alteration minerals demonstrate the presence of actively circulating waters, and the region
438:
Transport of nuclear waste will be done by ship ‘HJ’, which has a carrying capacity of 1520 drums; shipments will be made in groups of 1000. On-site, waste drums will be sequestered in baskets or containers for ease of handling. Loading for LLRW will be handled by forklifts, whereas loading of ILRW
271:
facility as early as 1993, with an ideal plan detailing five interconnected disposal caverns holding either ILRW or LLRW. Plans were also drawn for two disposal caverns for ILRW, one for dry LLRW, two for concentrated and dry active waste LLRW, and one LLRW repository for spent resins, filters, and
234:
of the soils underlying the silo site is on the lower bound of regional values. This was in favor of selecting the site for a storage facility, as lower permeability is correlated to slower movement of groundwater and minerals. The local population approved the site due to increased incentives: the
251:
site, the South Korean government included and highlighted economic incentives and benefits to locals for the hosting of a disposal site, rather than simply state safety statistics. In addition, tours of facilities were conducted in an effort to widen the scope of the public and gain acceptance of
485:
As of 2009, all nuclear waste disposal falls under the authority of the Korea Radioactive Waste Agency (KORAD), formerly the Korea Radioactive Waste Management Corporation (KRMC). Their responsibilities include the construction of disposal sites, actual disposal, and research and development with
275:
The facility was planned to hold 100,000 drums containing LILW in its initial stage and 800,000 drums of waste upon completion. Deadlines indicated the operation of the waste site from 2008; however, the site began accepting waste in 2010 and was completed by January 2013. The repository type was
221:
by the government and approval of the provincial populace for the site. With a 70% voter turnout, there was approximately 90% approval for hosting the disposal facility. The site is approximately 2.1 km. Data collected during the site characterization were used for an assessment of long-term
411:, heavy water type, whereas the other seventeen reactors currently in South Korea are of the type LWR. CANDU reactors have the potential to use any uranium recovered from the waste from LWR reactors. These twenty-one reactors contribute about 70% of the LILW waste needing treatment and storage. 242:
Historically, there has been public mistrust of the government regarding environmental and nuclear issues. There have been past attempts at siting disposal facilities where initial reports indicated geologically safe conditions, but with issues springing up following initiation of the project.
447:
The concrete lining surrounding the disposal site will slowly increase its permeability over time due to degradation. This presents the possibility of a radionuclide leak into the groundwater system. Degradation occurs in part due to attacks by sulfates, corrosion, and expansion of steel
167:, formed through ancient thrust faulting and subsequent fault-block motion, whose eastern reaching ranges form a steep fault line stretching to the coast. Korea is relatively geologically stable, though the Taebaek may experience slow but ongoing tectonic uplift. 47:'s generating capacity to 32.9 GW by 2030. Waste of low and intermediate levels was stored on-site at each plant; however, after nearly 30 years of energy generation from nuclear power, on-site storage began to reach capacity. Without a separate storage facility, 493:
has general responsibilities of protecting the public's health and safety by establishing and carrying out nuclear regulatory policies concerning research and design of various aspects of nuclear energy and its peaceful application.
346: 192:
is categorized as one of two types: low-and intermediate-level waste (LILW) or high-level waste based on radioactive concentration and degree of heat generation. LILW is categorized as having less than 4,000 Bq/g of
31:
in South Korea. The facility features a silo-type design, and its first stage allowed for up to 100,000 barrels of storage, which increased to a total capacity of 800,000 upon completion of the final stage.
43:, supplying 30% of its electricity and 8.6% of its total energy usage. As of May 2012, a total of 21 reactors operated in the country generating 18.7 GW. Ongoing and planned projects are estimated to bring 434:
Volume reduction methods aimed at solid waste include concentrate waste drying systems and spent resin waste drying systems. Within all LWRs, ion exchange and evaporation is used to concentrate the waste.
815: 644:
Soo Yong Lee; et al. (2011). "Cosmogenic 10Be and OSL dating of fluvial strath terraces along the Osip-cheon River, Korea: tectonic implications". Geosciences Journal Volume 15, Issue 4, pp 359–378.
1084: 526: 987: 239:($ 270 million) with additional payments of 637,500 Won per waste drum, and the relocation to the city hosting the silo site of the headquarters of Korean Hydro and Nuclear Power. 129:, located in a sediment-filled basin within the extreme southeast corner of the North Gyeongsang province of South Korea, boasts a population of 269,343 people as of 2008. In the past, 482:
The Korean Atomic Energy Commission (KAEC) is the highest order policy-making body on nuclear matters. South Korea's Prime Minister is the chairperson overseeing such matters.
504:
The Nuclear Safety Commission (NSC), a branch within the KINS, has the task of being the decision making body on nuclear safety and regulatory policies, as well as licensing.
301: 87: 1060: 82:
Plans for storage facilities were being drawn up as early as 1986. However, the site was only selected in 2005. After obtaining the permits for the project from the
431:. NPP LILWs consist of miscellaneous radioactive solids, spent resins, and cartridge filters. All compressible solids are compressed in an effort to reduce volume. 822: 294: 83: 752:
Kim, S.H. (1995). The implication and the problem of the civil movement against Gulupdo nuclear waste facility, Environment and Life 8: 60–69 (Report).
1108: 865: 738: 564: 498: 490: 1036: 460:
presents the potential of moving radioactive elements from a leak at a rate of at least 1/5-meter per day during periods of groundwater flow.
1147: 1142: 1157: 1011: 975: 256: 197:
emitting nuclides with a half-live for more than 20 years; additionally, the body's heat generation must be below 2 kW/m.
1152: 808: 1096: 915: 230:
characteristics and groundwater flow modeling. An environmental impact assessment was derived from this data as well. The
1120: 40: 372: 354: 213:
After years of searching for a radioactive waste disposal site with 9 past failures, 2005 saw both the selection of
547: 272:
concentrated wastes. Each cavern is designed to slope towards the entrance to prevent the pooling of groundwater.
853: 877: 350: 231: 60: 404: 68: 999: 98:. This was the standard-size shipment to be received on-site. Construction was completed in early 2015. 831: 671: 56: 626: 386: 218: 902: 789: 335: 52: 497:
Carrying out safety reviews and inspections required to enforce the policies set in place by the
479:
The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) contains both KAERI and KINS under it.
339: 152:
nuclear power plant to the south. The disposal facility sits above an area composed primarily of
689:"Wolsong Low- and Intermediate-level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center: Progress and Challenges" 463:
Safety assessment of radionuclide leak through several scenarios satisfied regulatory criteria
452: 609:
Wolsong low and intermediate level radioactive waste disposal center: Progress and challenges
548:
Managing Spent Fuel from Nuclear Power Reactors, Experience and Lessons from Around the World
244: 501:, as well as setting standards for safety, is the Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety (KINS). 732: 558: 8: 721: 424: 392: 471: 951: 608: 202: 287:
By February 2006, detailed site investigations and specific site designs were underway
688: 189: 183: 164: 24: 236: 171: 91: 722:
Framing analysis of radioactive waste disposal facility placement in South Korea
255:
Site selection and operation falls under guidelines and restrictions set by the
1067: 800: 541: 539: 194: 145: 141: 121: 74: 1136: 1115: 1006: 994: 545: 428: 420: 398: 36: 763: 536: 939: 455:
of the underlying soils is about 2.6–4.5 * 10^-6 m/s with a mean bulk
227: 223: 153: 290:
July 2006 saw the confirmation of an underground silo-type disposal method
982: 963: 427:), research institutes, nuclear fuel manufacturing facilities, and spent 48: 44: 105:
Years of expected saturation of LILW storage at select SK nuclear plants
532:(Report). Haceteppe University, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute. 21:
Wolseong Low- and Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Center
23:(WLDC) is a facility used to safely house low- to intermediate-level 324: 148:. It is approximately 1.1 km by 1.8 km, with the Wolseong 456: 281: 248: 235:
prospect of jobs, the promise of an initial payment of 300 billion
214: 130: 126: 115: 95: 94:
waste had been shipped and stored at the not-yet-completed site at
28: 927: 1091: 1079: 1043: 970: 958: 946: 934: 910: 618: 157: 1103: 1055: 1048: 1031: 922: 897: 872: 860: 848: 672:
FNCA consolidated Report: Radioactive Waste Management in Korea
101: 624: 140:
The area designated for the disposal facility sits within the
109: 1072: 408: 297:(formerly Ministry of Knowledge Economy) approves the project 149: 134: 64: 63:
would have filled by 2016, 2018, and 2021, respectively. The
310:
January 2013 marks the start of a fully operational facility
90:, construction began in August 2008. By 2010, 1000 drums of 268: 247:. During the siting and negotiation process involving the 51:'s government estimated that the storage pools within the 86:, and the construction and operation licenses from the 602: 600: 598: 596: 594: 546:
Feiveson, H. Mian, Z. Ramana, M.V. Hippel, F. (2011).
592: 590: 588: 586: 584: 582: 580: 578: 576: 574: 314: 208: 715: 713: 711: 709: 553:(Report). International Panel on Fissile Materials. 637: 571: 520: 518: 516: 262: 866:Meuse/Haute Marne Underground Research Laboratory 466: 307:By 2010 the first 1000 drums of waste were stored 144:, which is built mainly of sediments intruded by 1134: 830: 706: 499:Ministry of Science and Technology (South Korea) 491:Ministry of Science and Technology (South Korea) 177: 156:; to the north, a small portion is underlain by 513: 133:was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of 790:Regulatory Activities for Nuclear Power Plants 524: 170:The main source of water in the region is the 816: 781: 719: 606: 302:Ministry of Education, Science and Technology 88:Ministry of Education, Science and Technology 792:(Report). Korea Institute of Nuclear Safety. 737:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( 643: 563:: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list ( 353:. Unsourced material may be challenged and 110:Background and Geology of the Gyeongju area 823: 809: 787: 751: 373:Learn how and when to remove this message 304:grants construction and operation permits 137:and is now a culturally rich attraction. 745: 470: 100: 73: 295:Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy 84:Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy 78:Select nuclear plant storage Capacities 16:Waste treatment facility in South Korea 1135: 665: 663: 661: 659: 657: 655: 653: 651: 804: 527:Radioactive Waste Management in Korea 475:South Korean Nuclear Agency Interplay 284:as the selected site for LILW storage 276:finalized as a "near-surface vault". 39:program is fully integrated into the 1148:Buildings and structures in Gyeongju 669: 625:Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. 439:will be handled by overhead cranes. 351:adding citations to reliable sources 318: 1143:Environmental issues in South Korea 648: 607:Jin Beak Park; et al. (2009). 13: 419:LILWs are created from commercial 414: 315:Nuclear power plant specifications 14: 1169: 209:Site Selection and public opinion 1114: 1102: 1090: 1078: 1066: 1054: 1042: 1030: 1005: 993: 981: 969: 957: 945: 933: 921: 909: 896: 871: 859: 847: 323: 854:Underground Research Laboratory 756: 263:Construction and specifications 1158:Radioactive waste repositories 681: 467:Korea Radioactive Waste Agency 1: 507: 486:regards to waste management. 178:Overview of Radioactive Waste 61:Yonggwang Nuclear Power Plant 1153:Nuclear power in South Korea 832:Deep geological repositories 405:Wolseong nuclear power plant 222:performance-based partly on 69:Wolseong nuclear power plant 7: 71:would have filled by 2017. 10: 1174: 396: 390: 384: 181: 119: 113: 57:Ulchin Nuclear Power Plant 1021: 887: 878:Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory 838: 525:Park T.; Choi J. (2012). 403:The four reactors at the 387:pressurized water reactor 267:Designs were drawn for a 245:groundwater contamination 219:North Gyeongsang Province 903:Deep Geologic Repository 53:Kori Nuclear Power Plant 631:Encyclopædia Britannica 442: 41:national infrastructure 476: 453:hydraulic conductivity 106: 79: 474: 104: 77: 627:"T'aebaek Mountains" 347:improve this section 888:Disposal facilities 393:light water reactor 952:Gorleben salt dome 720:Jang, J. Kang, M. 477: 252:nuclear programs. 203:Nuclear fuel cycle 107: 80: 1130: 1129: 383: 382: 375: 280:January 2006 saw 257:Atomic Energy Act 190:radioactive waste 184:radioactive waste 165:Taebaek Mountains 25:radioactive waste 1165: 1119: 1118: 1107: 1106: 1095: 1094: 1083: 1082: 1071: 1070: 1059: 1058: 1047: 1046: 1035: 1034: 1010: 1009: 998: 997: 986: 985: 974: 973: 962: 961: 950: 949: 938: 937: 926: 925: 914: 913: 901: 900: 876: 875: 864: 863: 852: 851: 825: 818: 811: 802: 801: 794: 793: 785: 779: 778: 776: 774: 760: 754: 753: 749: 743: 742: 736: 728: 726: 717: 704: 703: 701: 699: 685: 679: 678: 676: 667: 646: 645: 641: 635: 634: 622: 616: 615: 613: 604: 569: 568: 562: 554: 552: 543: 534: 533: 531: 522: 378: 371: 367: 364: 358: 327: 319: 67:facility at the 1173: 1172: 1168: 1167: 1166: 1164: 1163: 1162: 1133: 1132: 1131: 1126: 1113: 1101: 1089: 1077: 1065: 1053: 1041: 1029: 1017: 1004: 992: 980: 968: 956: 944: 932: 920: 908: 895: 883: 870: 858: 846: 834: 829: 797: 788:Young-Soo Eun. 786: 782: 772: 770: 768:www.korad.or.kr 762: 761: 757: 750: 746: 730: 729: 724: 718: 707: 697: 695: 687: 686: 682: 677:(Report). FNCA. 674: 668: 649: 642: 638: 623: 619: 611: 605: 572: 556: 555: 550: 544: 537: 529: 523: 514: 510: 469: 445: 417: 415:LILW Management 401: 395: 389: 379: 368: 362: 359: 344: 328: 317: 265: 224:Hydrogeological 211: 186: 180: 172:Hyeongsan River 163:Nearby are the 124: 118: 112: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1171: 1161: 1160: 1155: 1150: 1145: 1128: 1127: 1125: 1124: 1123: 1111: 1099: 1087: 1075: 1063: 1051: 1039: 1025: 1023: 1019: 1018: 1016: 1015: 1014: 1012:Yucca Mountain 1002: 990: 978: 966: 954: 942: 930: 918: 906: 891: 889: 885: 884: 882: 881: 880: 868: 856: 842: 840: 836: 835: 828: 827: 820: 813: 805: 796: 795: 780: 755: 744: 705: 680: 647: 636: 617: 570: 535: 511: 509: 506: 468: 465: 444: 441: 416: 413: 381: 380: 331: 329: 322: 316: 313: 312: 311: 308: 305: 298: 291: 288: 285: 264: 261: 210: 207: 195:alpha-particle 179: 176: 146:plutonic rocks 142:Gyeongju Basin 122:Gyeongju Basin 111: 108: 35:South Korea's 15: 9: 6: 4: 3: 2: 1170: 1159: 1156: 1154: 1151: 1149: 1146: 1144: 1141: 1140: 1138: 1122: 1117: 1112: 1110: 1105: 1100: 1098: 1093: 1088: 1086: 1081: 1076: 1074: 1069: 1064: 1062: 1057: 1052: 1050: 1045: 1040: 1038: 1033: 1028: 1027: 1026: 1024: 1022:Organisations 1020: 1013: 1008: 1003: 1001: 996: 991: 989: 984: 979: 977: 972: 967: 965: 960: 955: 953: 948: 943: 941: 936: 931: 929: 924: 919: 917: 912: 907: 904: 899: 894: 893: 892: 890: 886: 879: 874: 869: 867: 862: 857: 855: 850: 845: 844: 843: 841: 837: 833: 826: 821: 819: 814: 812: 807: 806: 803: 799: 791: 784: 769: 765: 759: 748: 740: 734: 723: 716: 714: 712: 710: 694: 690: 684: 673: 670:FNCA (2007). 666: 664: 662: 660: 658: 656: 654: 652: 640: 632: 628: 621: 610: 603: 601: 599: 597: 595: 593: 591: 589: 587: 585: 583: 581: 579: 577: 575: 566: 560: 549: 542: 540: 528: 521: 519: 517: 512: 505: 502: 500: 495: 492: 487: 483: 480: 473: 464: 461: 458: 454: 449: 440: 436: 432: 430: 429:radioisotopes 426: 422: 421:nuclear power 412: 410: 406: 400: 399:CANDU reactor 394: 388: 377: 374: 366: 356: 352: 348: 342: 341: 337: 332:This section 330: 326: 321: 320: 309: 306: 303: 299: 296: 292: 289: 286: 283: 279: 278: 277: 273: 270: 260: 258: 253: 250: 246: 240: 238: 233: 229: 225: 220: 216: 206: 204: 198: 196: 191: 185: 175: 173: 168: 166: 161: 159: 155: 151: 147: 143: 138: 136: 132: 128: 123: 117: 103: 99: 97: 93: 89: 85: 76: 72: 70: 66: 62: 58: 54: 50: 46: 42: 38: 37:nuclear power 33: 30: 26: 22: 940:Asse II mine 839:Laboratories 798: 783: 771:. Retrieved 767: 758: 747: 696:. Retrieved 693:ResearchGate 692: 683: 639: 630: 620: 503: 496: 488: 484: 481: 478: 462: 450: 446: 437: 433: 418: 402: 369: 363:January 2021 360: 345:Please help 333: 274: 266: 254: 241: 232:permeability 212: 199: 187: 169: 162: 154:granodiorite 139: 125: 81: 34: 20: 18: 964:Konrad mine 905:(cancelled) 733:cite report 559:cite report 300:July 2008: 293:July 2007: 228:Geochemical 49:South Korea 45:South Korea 1137:Categories 698:3 February 508:References 397:See also: 391:See also: 385:See also: 188:In Korea, 182:See also: 120:See also: 114:See also: 27:(LILW) at 976:Morsleben 773:6 January 727:(Report). 614:(Report). 334:does not 217:, of the 160:granite. 988:Wolseong 457:porosity 423:plants ( 282:Gyeongju 249:Gyeongju 215:Gyeongju 131:Gyeongju 127:Gyeongju 116:Gyeongju 96:Gyeongju 29:Gyeongju 764:"KORAD" 407:are of 355:removed 340:sources 158:biotite 1049:Posiva 916:Onkalo 59:, and 1121:USDOE 1073:Nirex 1061:Andra 928:Cigéo 725:(PDF) 675:(PDF) 612:(PDF) 551:(PDF) 530:(PDF) 409:CANDU 150:CANDU 135:Silla 65:CANDU 1037:NWMO 1000:WIPP 775:2021 739:link 700:2021 565:link 489:The 451:The 443:Risk 338:any 336:cite 269:LILW 226:and 92:LILW 19:The 1109:SKB 1097:BGE 1085:DBE 425:NPP 349:by 237:Won 1139:: 766:. 735:}} 731:{{ 708:^ 691:. 650:^ 629:. 573:^ 561:}} 557:{{ 538:^ 515:^ 259:. 205:. 55:, 824:e 817:t 810:v 777:. 741:) 702:. 633:. 567:) 376:) 370:( 365:) 361:( 357:. 343:.

Index

radioactive waste
Gyeongju
nuclear power
national infrastructure
South Korea
South Korea
Kori Nuclear Power Plant
Ulchin Nuclear Power Plant
Yonggwang Nuclear Power Plant
CANDU
Wolseong nuclear power plant

Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology
LILW
Gyeongju

Gyeongju
Gyeongju Basin
Gyeongju
Gyeongju
Silla
Gyeongju Basin
plutonic rocks
CANDU
granodiorite
biotite
Taebaek Mountains
Hyeongsan River
radioactive waste

Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.