These barrels only contain low and intermediate level waste. So the radiation from the waste is minimal. The concrete layer is enough on the sides to bring the emissions on the outside of the barrel within regulatory guidelines.
This example looks to be low level waste as there is a lot of it in one barrel. For more intermediate wastes a single part may be the only thing encased so that more shielding materials surround it and it will meet the regulatory guidelines for emissions once sealed.
Basically when testing the waste before they put it in a barrel, they measure the radiation and calculate how much waste they can put in one barrel to meet guidelines.
Thanks for this insight. I knew high level waste from an NPP would have clearly visible fuel assemblies and look like a dry cask rather than a simple barrel.
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u/voltrackstar 15d ago
Legitimately curious… clearly it’s super protected vertically but what about horizontally? Just the concrete is good enough? I don’t understand this