The role of pyro-processing in decreasing disposal cost in Korea

A comparative analysis regarding the disposal cost of HLW (High-Level Waste) from 20,000-ton PWR nuclear fuel, focusing on pyro-processing and direct disposal, was conducted in this study. A cost estimation of the major cost drivers in disposing of pyro-processed waste revealed that canisters would cost 67.32 MEUR and that the disposal holes and disposal tunnels would require about 11.2 MEUR for excavation. These estimates amount to 1/16 and 1/55 of the costs for direct disposal of PWR spent fuels, respectively. These significant disposal cost savings in pyro-processed radioactive waste result from a significant reduction in the amount of radioactive waste to be disposed of thanks to the recycling in a fast reactor.

► This study might give us the following insights associated with pyro-processing.
► The disposal cost of pyro-waste is at least 1/20 of the direct disposal cost.
► The dominant cost driver of pyro-waste is the overpacks used to dispose of monazite waste.
► The excavation cost of pyro-waste is equal to about 1/55 of the direct disposal option.
► 129I should be burned in a fast reactor due to its long half-life.