PROJECT COUNTERPARTS WORKSHOP RAF 9054- Strengthening Radioactive Waste Management in Africa Michael Atogo- Nuclear Engineer Senior Radiation Protection Officer Radiation Protection Board

CONTENT Introduction to RWM Brief background of RAF 9054 Project Project Objectives Kenyan Scenario in RWM National Needs and Challenges Conclusion &Recommendations

Introduction to RWM Radioactive waste is waste that contains RM RW is usually a by-product of nuclear power generation and other applications of nuclear fission or nuclear technology, such as research and medicine. These requires existence of a framework which provides the legal basis for requirements and responsibilities of stakeholders

The general approach to RWM Radioactive waste management is a requirement to protect human beings and the environment from radioactive hazards now and for the long term The national framework for RWM must define clearly: Who does what? Liabilities, funding, control Guarantees of transparency & information (e.g for public awareness) The local level involvement to the decision-making process, notably to integrate the project in the local development scheme Knowledge of waste inventory and its forecast

Graded approach to RWM The application of management system requirements shall be graded to deploy resources at appropriate levels, based on: The significance and complexity of each product or activity The hazards, and the potential impact (risk) associated with each product or activity on safety and health The consequences of product failure or if an activity is carried incorrectly Grading should not be used as a justification for not applying all of the necessary management system elements or required quality controls. Grading is intended to guide the degree of control applied to an item in relation to the importance of its required function. It should not be used as a justification for not applying all of the necessary management system elements or required quality controls. Grading means making the stringency of the controls by which the adequacy of such activities is evaluated commensurate with the importance of the activities

Classification of Radioactive Waste Radioactive Waste is classified according to: Its physical form (solid, liquid and gaseous) Its activity (low, medium and high) Its half-life (short half life, medium half-life and long half-life) Beta-gamma emitters and alpha emitters

Classification of radioactive Waste The classification of RW is important to allow for easy handling and transportation and enhancement of safety while going through the process of waste management Purpose- for safety, engineering, operational and regulatory aspects: Devising RWM strategies, planning, designing and operating waste management facilities Facilitating record keeping and giving a broad indication of the potential hazards involved in the various types of waste at the operational level Communication between interested parties by providing well understood terminologies

Radioactive waste classification scheme

key elements of radioactive waste management (a) technical information- Waste classification, segregation and processing steps (b) legal and regulatory framework- management systems, responsibilities (c) communicating with the public to ensure acceptance (d) sources of information on waste management-sources inventory

RAF 9054 Project Background The AFRA project “Strengthening Waste Management Infrastructure”, RAF/4/015 was initiated in 1996 by the IAEA The objective of the project was to build the RWM infrastructure of AFRA member states. This included: the legal framework that deals with inventory of RW, technical capabilities needed to carry on suitable RWM methods in a country. This led to the initiation of RWM programmes in some AFRA MS e.g safe conditioning of radium sources in most member states was also carried out. The project ended in 2004.

RAF 9054 Project Background A follow-up project “Sustaining Waste Management Infrastructure”, RAF/3/005, was approved in 2005 for a duration of 5 years to help sustain the RWM capabilities and programs initiated in the AFRA member states as well as to help the new African countries joining the IAEA.

Raf 9054 Background-Cont’d RAF/3/005 was designed to also assist the AFRA member states : to condition their disused sealed sources (including high activity radioactive sources), implement disposal technologies such as the borehole disposal concept, assess the risk associated with TE-NORM, develop policy and strategies and quality assurance programs manage the waste generated from research reactors.

Raf 9054 background In 2009, a follow-up Project, RAF 3006: Improving Radioactive Waste Infrastructure in Africa, was launched for a duration of 5 years in IAEA’s efforts to assist the AFRA member states better manage their radioactive waste materials, The objective of the project was to address deficiencies such as: source inventory, quality management system, policy and strategy for RWM, waste disposal and risk assessment for NORM and TE-NORM waste identified as a priority task in the previous projects.

Raf 9054 objectives and relevance RAF 9054 was approved by the IAEA for implementation starting in 2014 for 4 year period ending in 2017 The expected outcomes of the project are: To establish, improve and support waste management facilities including disused sources collected, conditioned and safely and securely stored or disposed of To develop waste management policy and strategy. To identify and characterize NORM waste sites and carry out risk assessment associated with the NORM.

Kenya’s Priorities in line with the RAF 9054 expectations Priority 1: Establishment/updating of waste inventories Priority 2: Established procedures for the management of low level medical waste Priority 3: Implement/ Operationalize waste processing and storage facility Priority 4: Identification, conditioning and securing low level radioactive sources Priority 5: Management of TE-NORM sites

RAF 9054- relevance This project provides for a framework for the formulation of relevant legislations and technical skills for the establishment for a framework for the safe management of radioactive waste. This should be supported by adequate technical skills and experience at a level corresponding to the national needs as well as appropriate facilities and equipment.

Project output Professionals received hands-on training on the management of radioactive waste (18 in total). Lectures and training packages have been developed and will be used in a total of four hands-on training courses within the project. Technical capacities to manage radioactive waste was demonstrated in Morocco, where participants had a hands-on training on DSRS conditioning . Physical, technical and human capacities to manage radioactive waste improved.

Project work plan Project work plan was reviewed for the period 2018-2021. This will be effective in terms of providing technical skills through trainings and workshops, Provide equipment that will be useful for the operation of the Central Radioactive Waste Processing Facility (CRWPF).

Radioactive Waste Management in Kenya Categorization of RW in Kenya is similar to IAEA’s waste classification standards EW and (VSLW) are usually in solid and liquid form and originate mostly from research and medical institutions.

Inventory of Radioactive Sources

Scheme for the disused radioactive sources and their total numbers/amounts Exempt Waste (EW) { solids and liquids from medical or research, below clearance levels (CLs) e.g. I-131, Tc-99m, Iodine-125, F-18} Four major hospitals generate an average of 2 - 10 kgs of waste per day – in form of syringes, needles, cotton swabs, vials and contaminated gloves Very Short Lived Waste (VSLW){ Ir-192, Y-90} Open - most are declared EW after short period Sealed - 73 Very Low Level Waste (VLLW){ from mining operations, slightly above CLs} Mine tailings of NORMs (uranium & thorium) -accumulated as waste piles Low Level Waste (LLW){ Co-60, H-3, Kr-85, Cs-137} Open - Twelve 200-litre drums of liquid and close to 100 kgs of solid waste Sealed -109 (7*) Intermediate Level Waste (ILW){ Am-241, Ra-226} Open – None Sealed -85(16*) High Level Waste(HLW) { Mostly spent fuel from power reactors} None 7*) & (16*) represent sources that have high activity in that category and could be recycled

Central radioactive waste processing facility (CRWPF)

CRWPF- Assorted storage packages & labs

CRWPF –dilution tanks

National needs and Challenges in rwm Establishment and implementation of radioactive waste management policy and strategy. Lack of adequate technical and human capacity to operationalize the CRWPF Lack of adequate funding to effectively manage the facility

Conclusions and Recommendations RW processing/ storage facility has been established. However, adequate equipment and technical capability is required Expert Mission is welcome to the country for demonstration of waste conditioning and storage

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