Application of Quality Assurance to Site Characterization

by Ram B. Murthy, U.S. Dep of Energy, Washington, United States,
Robert L. Howard, U.S. Dep of Energy, Washington, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

Siting studies for nuclear power plants are conducted for the purpose of determining the suitability of the site (a natural system) on plant systems that prevent the release of radioactive materials from the nuclear facility. For a geologic repository, the site itself (natural barrier) is part of the total system that must be relied on to prevent the release of radionuclides into the environment. Site investigations must not only provide information about the characteristics of the site relevant to radionuclide isolation, but must also be properly planned and controlled in order that the inherent characteristics of the site (e.g., its isolation properties) are not impaired by the investigations. The application of nuclear quality assurance requirements for site investigations for a geologic repository are therefore somewhat different than the application of quality assurance requirements to the siting of a nuclear power plant. OCRWM has considered the special quality assurance needs for site investigations in applying quality assurance requirements to site characterization. Quality assurance measures have to be considered in planning and implementing tests and studies and in preserving test samples on which site suitability will be based.

Subject Headings: Site investigation | Quality control | Power plants | Radioactive materials | Nuclear power | Geology | Waste sites

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