| _version_ | 1866901189159813120 |
|---|---|
| author | Matsuura, Yoshihito |
| author_facet | Matsuura, Yoshihito |
| contents | <p>This paper proposes a conservative sealed-source reinterpretation of Fukushima Daiichi<br>fuel debris. Instead of long-term interim storage followed by deep geological disposal,<br>the study introduces a framework in which small, well-characterized debris fragments are<br>immobilized inside ultra-heavy, over-engineered concrete modules with 50–80 cm of heavy<br>shielding and total masses of 20–50 tons.</p> <p>The concept is inspired by historically validated sealed-source technologies: nuclear-powered<br>cardiac pacemakers, which operated safely within human tissue for decades, and Soviet/Russian<br>RTG lighthouse units used in the Arctic regions. Unlike historical high-power RTGs that used<br>Sr-90 or Pu-238, the proposed modules utilize extremely low-power debris fragments and rely on<br>immobility and over-shielding rather than compactness. The aim is not power generation but<br>long-term radiological stability.</p> <p>A Shielded Encapsulation Line (SEL) is described, integrating water-shielded hot-cell<br>segmentation, enclosed transfer, welded steel cartridge sealing, and massive concrete<br>over-encapsulation. Conservative failure scenarios indicate that even a full breach of the<br>steel cartridge would produce only highly localized effects, contained by the surrounding<br>concrete mass. Because the modules are deployed exclusively in remote environments such as<br>uninhabited islands, mountain passes, and restricted forest zones, the approach eliminates<br>diversion risks and institutional-control burdens.</p> <p>This decentralized immobilization architecture provides a feasible policy alternative to<br>multi-millennial geological commitments. Each module represents a small but irreversible<br>transfer of debris into a passively safe configuration with no maintenance requirements.<br>The regulatory pathway is conceptually straightforward and compatible with existing sealed-source<br>frameworks. The proposal demonstrates that Fukushima-derived debris can be transformed from a<br>persistent liability into a stable, immovable infrastructure element.</p> <p>This upload includes the full LaTeX source and figures required to produce the final paper,<br>and is intended as the public DOI-archived version prior to journal submission.</p> |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17742679 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | A Conservative Sealed-Source Framework for Long-Term Stabilization of Fukushima Fuel Debris Matsuura, Yoshihito nuclear engineering fuel debris Fukushima sealed source radioactive waste management radiation shielding RTG concrete shielding decentralized immobilization nuclear safety <p>This paper proposes a conservative sealed-source reinterpretation of Fukushima Daiichi<br>fuel debris. Instead of long-term interim storage followed by deep geological disposal,<br>the study introduces a framework in which small, well-characterized debris fragments are<br>immobilized inside ultra-heavy, over-engineered concrete modules with 50–80 cm of heavy<br>shielding and total masses of 20–50 tons.</p> <p>The concept is inspired by historically validated sealed-source technologies: nuclear-powered<br>cardiac pacemakers, which operated safely within human tissue for decades, and Soviet/Russian<br>RTG lighthouse units used in the Arctic regions. Unlike historical high-power RTGs that used<br>Sr-90 or Pu-238, the proposed modules utilize extremely low-power debris fragments and rely on<br>immobility and over-shielding rather than compactness. The aim is not power generation but<br>long-term radiological stability.</p> <p>A Shielded Encapsulation Line (SEL) is described, integrating water-shielded hot-cell<br>segmentation, enclosed transfer, welded steel cartridge sealing, and massive concrete<br>over-encapsulation. Conservative failure scenarios indicate that even a full breach of the<br>steel cartridge would produce only highly localized effects, contained by the surrounding<br>concrete mass. Because the modules are deployed exclusively in remote environments such as<br>uninhabited islands, mountain passes, and restricted forest zones, the approach eliminates<br>diversion risks and institutional-control burdens.</p> <p>This decentralized immobilization architecture provides a feasible policy alternative to<br>multi-millennial geological commitments. Each module represents a small but irreversible<br>transfer of debris into a passively safe configuration with no maintenance requirements.<br>The regulatory pathway is conceptually straightforward and compatible with existing sealed-source<br>frameworks. The proposal demonstrates that Fukushima-derived debris can be transformed from a<br>persistent liability into a stable, immovable infrastructure element.</p> <p>This upload includes the full LaTeX source and figures required to produce the final paper,<br>and is intended as the public DOI-archived version prior to journal submission.</p> |
| title | A Conservative Sealed-Source Framework for Long-Term Stabilization of Fukushima Fuel Debris |
| topic | nuclear engineering fuel debris Fukushima sealed source radioactive waste management radiation shielding RTG concrete shielding decentralized immobilization nuclear safety |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17742679 |