Safety assessment of introducing radioactive waste incineration facilities in Korea: An off-site resident dose evaluation

As nuclear power technology advances, radioactive waste accumulation rises, necessitating measures to alleviate strain on disposal facilities and minimize waste management costs. Analysis of radioactive waste composition revealed that combustible waste comprised the largest proportion (45 %), with incineration demonstrating high reduction efficiency for this fraction. In order for a radioactive waste incineration facility to be introduced, it is necessary to evaluate the safety of gas radioactive effluent generated during city operation. Evaluation criteria have already been established and methodologies also exist, but these results greatly depend on the area where the incineration facilities are located, the waste to be treated, the operation method of the facilities. Accordingly, this study assumed annual throughput and radionuclide concentrations based on the radioactive waste stored and generated in Korea. The centralized operation method at a specific site was compared with the decentralized operation method employed at all sites. Post-incineration, the impact of radionuclides released from the facilities was analyzed against Nuclear Safety and Security Commission standards, confirming the discharge standards and doses for single facilities and entire sites. • Utilization of radioactive waste incineration technology in Korea. • Safety assessment of gaseous radioactive effluent in radioactive waste incineration facilities. • Discharge standards and annual resident dose assessment for gaseous radioactive effluent.