Rating criteria for activated waste from fusion reactors

In the past, Shallow Land Burial (SLB) was considered one suitable solution for the management of fusion activated waste, the other being Recycling. These concepts have influenced the development of low activation materials for fusion (LAMs), having reduced long-term radioactivity. Present European studies, however, do not consider SLB a viable option and concentrate more on Geological Disposal (GD). A classification of activated materials into High-, Medium-, and Low-Level Waste is proposed, taking into account contact dose rates and decay heat levels, in compliance with the GD and Recycling alternatives. This proposal is also consistent with integral criteria to classify LAMs, based on both the short- and long-term radioactive behavior. Applications of these rating criteria to activated components from various fusion designs are shown.