Modeling of gaseous {sup 14}CO{sub 2} release from perforations in spent fuel disposal containers
The potential release of gaseous {sup 14}CO{sub 2} from small perforations in spent fuel containers has been evaluated as a function of temperature, hole size, effective porosity of corrosion products within the hole, and time, based on the waste package design parameters and environmental conditions described in the Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Report (SCP). The SCP does not specify initial fill gas (argon) pressure and temperature. It is shown that, if significant {sup 14}C oxidation takes place during the initial, inert-gas phase, an incentive exists to initially underpressurize the containers. This will avoid large, spiked releases of gaseous {sup 14}CO{sub 2} and will result in delayed, smaller, and more uniform release rates over time. Therefore, larger size perforations could be tolerated while meeting the applicable regulations.
- Research Organization:
- Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-76CH00016
- OSTI ID:
- 10132933
- Report Number(s):
- BNL-52308; ON: DE92010387
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Nov 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Potential {sup 14}CO{sub 2} releases from spent fuel containers at Yucca Mountain
Potential {sup 14}CO{sub 2} releases from spent fuel containers at Yucca Mountain