| Description |
Rather than the typical conference with researchers presenting their work primarily to other researchers, the strategy here is to develop a novel format with
industry representatives presenting their highest priority technology needs to implement nuclear fuel reprocessing, followed by
agency representatives (DOE/NRC/EPA/IAEA) presenting the regulations that must be considered, followed by
technical sessions in which researchers present the state-of-the-art.
This conference is designed to produce collaboration:
Industry reps will have an opportunity to say what technology they need to implement their plans. They will have the opportunity to discuss their approach, the technology they would use today, the challenges ahead in the technical and regulatory realm, and what improvements they may need to be most effective - profitable.
Few people really understand what it will take to make fuel reprocessing possible in this country, and we hope that this conference will allow the agencies to discuss how their processes work. There is significant misunderstanding in how to approach licensing and approval, and a range of opinions on where responsibilities lie. Emission limits in 40CFR 190, making a safety case for a new reprocessing plant design with new matrix irradiated fuels and actinide waste streams that may or may not be wastes, and disposal of Class B/C and GTCC wastes will all make for fertile areas of discussion.
Last, but certainly not least, the researchers should learn what applied research is of most value to industry and how it must satisfy regulations, and industry and agency representatives will learn what is currently possible. Papers will be recruited and selected to present the state-of-the-art in these areas.
This conference is a synthesis of waste management issues identified over the last several years, observations from the industry strategy, and knowledge of how principal investigators develop R&D. If a desired process or concept is too expensive to be commercially viable, does not meet a regulation, or is currently possible, the first step is to identify the short-coming and the desired outcome. We hope this will give people some common understanding to begin to constructively tackle the waste management issues.
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