Developing a framework for evaluating spent nuclear fuel management options for South Africa

 

 

V.G. Twala^I; T. Auf der Heyde^II; P.J. Bredell^III; L. Pretorius^IV

^INuclear Fuel Department, Generation Division, Eskom, South Africa vusi.twala@eskom.co.za
^IIDepartment of Research and Innovation, University of Johannesburg, South Africa taufderheyde@uj.ac.za
^IIINuclear Liabilities Management Department, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) pbredell@necsa.co.za
^IVDepartment of Engineering and Technology Management, Graduate School of Technology Management, University of Pretoria, South Africa leon.pretorius@up.ac.za

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The search for consensus on spent fuel management (SFM) strategies in the nuclear industry has become complex, not least in the South African context. This study identifies three SFM options: reprocessing-and-recycling, direct disposal, and indefinite storage. From the contentious issues surrounding the SFM options, a framework for evaluating the options and selecting a preferred SFM option for South Africa is proposed. It consists of evaluation criteria categorised into nine dimensions: technological, safety, environmental, proliferation, security, economic, sociopolitical, ethical, and institutional. The framework's comprehensiveness shows that SFM options have developed to a stage where South Africa can make an informed policy decision on the strategy it wishes to pursue.

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OPSOMMING

Die soeke na eenstemmigheid rondom strategieë vir die hantering van verbruikte kernafvalbrandstof (SFM) is kompleks. Hierdie artikel identifiseer drie SFM-opsies: Herprosessering en herwinning, direkte verwydering, en onbepaalde berging. Vanuit die sensitiewe kwessies wat die SFM-opsies beinvloed, word 'n raamwerk ontwikkel waarmee 'n voorkeuropsie vir Suid-Afrika daargestel word. Die raamwerk bestaan uit evalueringskriteria wat in nege dimensies gerangskik word: tegnologies, veiligheid, omgewing, proliferasie, sekuriteit, ekonomies, sosio-polities, eties, en institusioneel. Die omvang van die raamwerk dui daarop dat SFM opsies tot so 'n stand ontwikkel het dat Suid Afrika 'n ingeligte beleidsbesluit kan neem oor die strategie wat hy sou wou volg.

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1 The author was enrolled for a D Phil (Engineering Management) degree in the Department Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg.