The research reactor R1, was made operational between 1954 and 1970, was located in a rock cavern in central Stockholm and was used for research and isotope production. The reactor was decommissioned between 1981 and 1983, and the site was released for unrestricted use in 1985. Virtually all waste was shipped to Studsvik. Exclusions were electric motors, handrails, stairways, etc. from non-classified areas that were unconfined for open use. All waste and salvageable material produced at R1 was measured and registered. The measurements were nuclide-specific and were done using a gamma-ray spectrometer.
As early as the middle of August 1945, Sweden decided to evaluate the then new situation regarding atomic weapons. The main aim of the research was to find out how Sweden could best protect itself against a nuclear weapon attack. Nevertheless, from the inception there was an interest in exploring the possibilities of manufacturing nuclear weapon. In 1968, the Swedish government signed the Non-Proliferation Treaty and the plans to acquire nuclear weapons were abandoned. In 1973 the Government appointed a committee (Committee on Radioactive Waste) to investigate the problem of handling high-level waste from nuclear power plants. The report from the committee was submitted in 1976 and has to a great extent influenced subsequent developments.
The main findings of the committee were:
•Recycling the spent fuel was recommended, with disposal of glass or ceramic solidification of the high-level waste in bedrock.
•Further studies should be carried out to clarify the conditions for a non-reprocessing scheme, i.e. direct disposal in bedrock.
•A central room storage for spent fuel should be established
•A central repository for low- and medium level radioactive waste should be established
The Swedish government has reinforced four basic principles for the management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.
1.The expenses for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste are to be covered by revenues from the production of energy that has resulted in these expenses.
2.The reactor owners are to safely dispose of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.
3.The government has the definitive accountability on spending the nuclear fuel and nuclear waste. The long-term responsibility for the handling and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste should rest with the state. After a repository has been closed, a requirement should be established to ensure that some kind of 36 responsibilities for and supervision of the repository can be made and maintained for a considerable time. A government authority could undertake accountability for a closed repository.
4.Each country is to be responsible for the spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste generated in that country. The disposal of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste from nuclear activities in another country may not occur in Sweden other than in an exceptional case.
Present day:
It is a creative meeting space found 25 metres underneath Stockholm’s Royal Institute of Technology’s Vallhallavägen campus. The reactor hall is exactly as it was when it was first operational.
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NOW: 5.84°CThe article does not reflects the AWAYN's official views, and should NOT taken as editorial work
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