Thermal effects of RH-TRU (Remote Handled Transuranic) waste emplacement on WIPP storage room thermal/structural response

Technical Report · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6783869

Argeuello, J G; Torres, T M

This report presents the results of a series of two-dimensional (2D) thermostructural analyses performed to evaluate the effects of emplacing Remote Handled Transuranic (RH-TRU) waste in the ribs of a typical waste storage room at the WIPP. A ''reference'' or baseline case, in which 60 W canisters of RH-TRU are emplaced at 2.44 m (8 ft) centers, is first investigated. Variations to the power output per canister and to the spacing of the canisters are then evaluated to determine their effects on room response. An overall two-dimensional geomechanical model, consisting of two separate 2D idealizations of the configuration, one thermal and one structural, is used to numerically simulate the response of a typical waste storage room at the repository horizon. Results show that for the ''reference'' condition, the added thermal load has no significant effect on room response and is comparable to the room response for the isothermal case. Furthermore, in varying the power output per canister, a moderate increase in power output, 100 W per canister, resulted in a small increase in room closure, when compared to the baseline response, while a large increase in power output, to 300 W per canister, resulted in a very large increase in room closure. A small increase in canister spacing, from the baseline value, to 3.66 m resulted in a large decrease in room closure, whereas a larger increase in spacing to 6.10 m resulted in only a moderate additional decrease in room closure. 17 refs., 26 figs., 6 tabs.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 6783869
• Report Number(s): SAND-88-2217; ON: DE89001843
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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HEAT TRANSFER
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THERMAL ANALYSIS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
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PILOT PLANTS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
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052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
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