Low Level Waste Reduction in Taiwan, China

Abstract

More than one hundred thousand drums (100,000) of Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) have been produced in Taiwan since the first commercial operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) in 1979. According to the Radwaste Management Policy (RWMP) proclaimed by the Atomic Energy Council (AEC) in 1988, radwaste producers shall strive to minimize the waste production rate and reduce the volume. In response to this demand and thanks to efforts implemented by the industry, the annual radwaste production for all three NPPs (six units) has been decreased from more than 12,000 drums before 1990 to less than 8,000 drums afterwards. In 1996, the number went down further to 5,200 drums. This paper addresses what will be done in our next step of LLRW volume reduction. The efforts involve such tasks as system improvement, change of solidification agents, and better management skills. Our goal is to reduce LLRW production rate to half of the current level by the end of this century.