“Current situation in Argentina related to management of Radioactive Waste and future plans for disposal” Daniela E. Alvarez Ph D. Department of Scientific and Technical Support, Division of Radiological Safety Assessments, Nuclear Regulatory Authority IAEA, September 2013

Nuclear Sector in Argentina related to RW & SF management Argentine Government Nuclear Regulatory Authority (ARN) Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Invest & Services Secretary of Energy National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A. (NA-SA) SF / RW Management NPP´s Operator

- National Law Nº (1997) to regulate the Nuclear Activity CNEA SF and RW management responsibility + Research & Development + National Government advisor ARN to regulate and supervise the nuclear activity (radiological and nuclear safety, physical protection and safeguards) - National Law Nº (1998) to determine the Radioactive Waste Management Regime Propose National Radioactive Waste Management Program –PNGRR- and CNEA as the responsible for the compliance with a specific Strategic Plan for RW Management. - Nacional Law Nº (2001) Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management Legal Framework

ATUCHA II PHWR 745 MWe Start up 2014 ATUCHA I PHWR 357MWe In Operation Since 1973 CAREM NPP 25 MWe New CNEA Design Protoype EMBALSE PHWR MWe Operating Since TH NPP Approved by Law Supplier & Site to be defined Atucha Site  NPP Nuclear activities

Research Reactors Fuel Cycle facilities Other Nuclear Installations Industrial & Medical Radioisotopes Educational Institutions Ezeiza Atomic Center Bariloche Atomic Center Constituyentes Atomic Center  Atomic Centres Nuclear activities

- Argentine experience in Research Reactors: local and abroad - Radioisotopes Production: Co 60 (Industrial Use) Mo 99 I 131 others -Mining Sites: one in standby (Sierra Pintada) one in exploration stage (Cerro Solo) eight under remediation Nuclear activities OPAL-Australia

- The National State is the owner of the radioactive fissile material contained in Spent Fuel from any origin - According to the Strategic Plan, decision on Reprocessing of SF is expected to be taken before underground geological laboratory started - Deep geological repository must be operative by the year Meanwhile, NPP Operators are responsible for the SF Storage on Site until its transfer to CNEA Spent Fuel management policies

- National State, through PNGRR, is Responsible for Safety Waste Management arising from nuclear energy applications, including waste from decommissioning of related facilities - Ensure safe management in order to protect the rights of present and future generations and the environment - Strategic Plan will by authorized, periodically reviewed and audited by Congress - Establish of a proper procedure to obtain and to manage the necessary financial resources - Establish the Waste Acceptance Criteria based on future repositories - Records Keeping of the inventories of radioactive waste and relevant documentation - Development of a Public Communication and Information Program Radioactive Waste management policies

Atucha I Nuclear Power Plant: decay and storage in water pools until the end of its operational life. Transference to interim dry storage is under development Embalse Nuclear Power Plant: six years decaying period in water pools and subsequent interim dry storage in concrete silos Spent Fuel management practices (NPP)

Radioactive Waste Classification Argentina has adopted the classification of radioactive waste recommended by the Agency (General Safety Guide – GSG-1)

Low Level Disposable Waste NEAR SURFACE DISPOSAL - Solid waste, compacted in drums - Non compactable waste, conditioned in cement matrices - Low level liquid waste, concentrated and immobilized with cement in drums - Short Lived disused sealed sources, conditioned - Structural waste conditioned in cement matrix According to waste categories SYSTEM FOR DISPOSAL OF STRUCTURAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE AND SEALED SOURCES Radioactive Waste management practices

Low Level Disposable Waste (+ ILW) INTERIM STORAGE - Compacted Solid Waste and cemented liquid aqueous Waste - Non Compactable Waste, spent resins and filters - Disused sealed sources - Structural materials - Organic liquid Wastes INTERIM STORAGE OF SOURCES AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE According to waste categories Radioactive Waste management practices

Intermediate level disposable waste INTERIM STORAGE - Reactor internals from CNA I generated by maintenance - Alpha emitters contaminated waste - Long lived disused sealed sources - PT / CT / CTI (CNE refurbishment) According to waste categories Radioactive Waste management practices

 Low Level Solid Radioactive Waste Treatment Facilities (**)  Deposit for Interim Storage of Radioactive Sources and Waste  Handling Yard and Storage of Items  Long Term Storage Deposit  System for Final Disposal of Structural Solid Radioactive Waste and Sealed Sources (*)  Semi Containment System for Solid Radioactive Waste - trenches (*)  Semi Containment System for Very Low Level Liquid Radioactive Waste and Very Short Periods - trenches (*) (*)These facilities have finished their operation stage. (**)This facility is in a state of partial dismantling in order to expand its operations. EZEIZA RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT AREA - AGE Semi Containment System for Solid Radioactive Waste Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

 Facility for Immobilization by Cementation of Liquid Radioactive Waste and Non- compactable and Structural Solid Radioactive Waste  Treatment & Conditioning of Solid Radioactive Waste System  Storage Facilities for Solid Radioactive Waste  Storage System for Mechanical Filters from the Reactors Primary Circuit  Storage System for Spent Ionic Exchange Resin Beds  Discharge System for Gaseous and Liquid Radioactive Waste ATUCHA I NPP New mechanical filters storage Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

 System for the Treatment & Conditioning of Solid Radioactive Waste  Storage Facilities for Solid Radioactive Waste  Spent Resin Storage Tanks  Liquid Radioactive Waste Treatment System  Gaseous Radioactive Waste Treatment System  Underground silos for filters and contaminated structurals EMBALSE NPP Mechanical filters, activated and contaminated structurals storage Existing facilities - Radioactive Waste management

Argentina has decided to build a near-surface monolithic repository with engineered barriers for low and some intermediate level radioactive waste The construction of final disposal systems near surface is foreseen, similar to those in operation in L’Aube (France) and El Cabril (Spain). This type of repository is based on the use of multiple and redundant barriers, completing the model with the application of approximately 300 years of institutional post-closure control. Waste will be immobilized in cement matrices and packed in 200 L drums and/or in special concrete containers At present, selection and characterization activities of an adequate site to locate the centralized repository are being carried out, which should be operational by the year 2023, in agreement with the schedule proposed in the draft of the last version of the Strategic Plan, prepared this year Plans

In the same site, a new low level radioactive waste final disposal (near-surface system) will be built, which should be operational by 2020 and which will replace the present systems located at AGE. It is also projected to dispose there the very low level RW, mainly originated from the dismantling of nuclear facilities With respect to High Level and/or Long Lived Waste generated in the final stage of the nuclear fuel cycle, spent fuel is temporarily stored until a decision is adopted on its reprocessing or final disposal The PEGRR foresees to perform studies for sitting, construction and operation of a Deep Geological Repository. The deadline to adopt a decision on the possible reprocessing or final disposal of the SF is 2030 Some duly treated and conditioned Low and Intermediate Level of Long Lived Radioactive Waste will also be disposed of in the deep geological repository Plans According to PEGRR, the need to count with this type of repository is foreseen by Thus, the activities performed with reference to this topic have been included in the Research and Development activities of the PNGRR

Since studies conducive to determine the candidate sites continue, they imply a regional public acceptance, CNEA develops a plan on public communication of national scope as a stage prior to the formal acceptance of municipalities and provinces where new facilities could be located In order to select communication strategies, CNEA counted with IAEA assistance and other organizations in order to gain experiences of the field at an international level on the basis of a communication plan to a middle and long term Plans To continue with the development of activities of mathematical modeling of water flow in sedimentary and granitic matrix, taking into account different types of rock, which may be involved in a future repository

Type of Liability Long Term Management Policy Funding of Liabilities Current Practice/ Facilities Planned Facilities Spent Fuel  Reprocessing decision TBD  Final disposal  Facility Operator  CNA I: NPP Wet Storage  CNE: NPP 6 y Wet Stor.  CNE: NPP Dry Storage  RRII: Wet Storage (DCMFEI)  CNA I: Dry Storage  RRII: Wet Storage (FACIRI) Nuclear Fuel Cycle Waste  Disposal  Facility Operator  LLW: Storage + Disposal  LLW: Management Facility  ILW: Storage  LLW (+ILW):(2023)  Centralized Repository  ILW & HLW: Deep Geolog. Reposit. (feasibility)(2030/60)  LLW: Manag. Facil. Non Power Wastes  Disposal  Waste Generator  LLW: Storage + Disposal  ILW: Storage  LLW: Centralized Repository  LLW: Mangement Facility (PTAMB) Decommission ing Liabilities  Decommissining Plan (regulatory requirement)  NPP, RRII and other State owner Facilities: National State  Facility operator, private owner.  None Facility in closure process  LLW: Centralized Repository  VLLW: Centralized Repository Disused Sealed Sources  Reuse  Disposal  Source User  Reencapsulation: Sealed Sources Plant  Storage + Disposal (short lived)  Storage (long lived)  LLW: Centralized Repository  ILW & HLW: Deep Geolog. Repository National Programme

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATENTION!!! IAEA, September 2013

Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear Av. del Libertador 8250 (C1429BNP) Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA Tel.: (+54) (011) Fax: (+54) (011)