| Penulis/Author |
Ir. Susetyo Hario Putero, M.Eng., IPU. (1) ; Ir. Nunung Prabaningrum, M.T., Ph.D., IPU. (2); Ferdiansjah, S.T., M.Eng.Sc. (3); Ir. Anung Muharini, M.T., IPM. (4); Ir. Ester Wijayanti, M.T. (5) |
| Abstrak/Abstract |
Pros and cons always arise when a country, including Indonesia, plans to build a nuclear power plant (NPP). The primary question from the people against NPP utilization is how to treat the waste generated. So, the capability to safely handle radioactive waste is believed to be a key success factor to increase national public acceptance. Education and research are essential to develop this radioactive waste management capability. The Nuclear Engineering Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (NE-UGM) is an important contributor to the education and research on radioactive waste in Indonesia.
Education: Radioactive waste management is an important topic in the Nuclear Engineering Study Program curriculum of Universitas Gadjah Mada (NE-UGM) Indonesia. In NE-UGM, radioactive waste management is taught in a course and studied in several research topics. The radioactive waste management and handling course is a three credits course for the 3rd-year student. The students learn about the waste classification, the related regulations, some technologies to handle radioactive waste, and the 3S (safety, security, and safeguards) related to the waste management facilities. Some practitioners and researchers, mostly from the National Nuclear Energy Agency of Indonesia (BATAN), were also invited to enrich the student's knowledge. To get a safety feeling in handling the waste, students also visit the radioactive waste management center of BATAN that in 2020 was conducted virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic condition. They are also exposed to several advanced reactor types to build their imagination to the new form of radioactive waste that will be handled in the future. In completing the course, students are assigned to design a simple management system for radioactive waste from among other hospitals, the most common type of radioactive waste in Indonesia.
Research: The radioactive waste research group of NE-UGM studies the materials to reinforce the immobilization process and tests the substitute materials. We also investigated the use of new methods and materials for processing the waste, such as the electrocoagulation method and MOF material, to improve waste treatment's safety and effectiveness. The group also designs the transportation container for nuclear spent fuel and disuse gamma source to strengthen the national radioactive waste handling capability.
Hopefully, by publishing all the activities, Indonesia's public trust in handling radioactive waste is improved and impacts the public acceptance of NPP in Indonesia. |
