Evaluation of Potential Melt-Dilute/Neutron Absorber Systems for DOE SNF Disposal System

Conference · Sun Jun 04 04:00:00 EDT 2000

OSTI ID:14749

Vinson, D. ^[1]

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1. Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)

Approximately 50 metric tonnes heavy metal of aluminum-base spent nuclear fuel (Al-SNF) or 30,000 assemblies are being consolidated at the Savannah River Site. The melt-dilute (MD) technology option is being developed to allow ultimate disposal of these fuels in the Monitored Geologic Repository (MGR). Neutron absorbing materials are needed to maintain k_eff less than 0.95 in desired packaging configurations. The aggressive chemical environment in the MGR is expected to lead to the reconfiguration of the contents of the codisposal waste package following waste package failure. This reconfiguration has the potential for increasing the reactivity of the waste package. The reconfiguration and redistribution of materials within the waste package are being investigated in an analytical and experimental program to support the criticality analysis. Further, the incorporation of neutron absorbing materials that will be integral to the MD SNF form is being investigated.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-96SR18500
• OSTI ID: 14749
• Report Number(s): WSRC-MS--99-00832
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
42 ENGINEERING
CRITICALITY
DILUTION
MELTING
Melt-Dilute (MD)
Monitored Geologic Repository (MGR)
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
PACKAGING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
SAFETY ANALYSIS
SAVANNAH RIVER PLANT
SPENT FUELS