Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Logistics Modeling of Emplacement Rate and Duration of Operations for Generic Geologic Repository Concepts - 16529

Conference ·
OSTI ID:22838306
;  [1]
  1. Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, MS 0779, Albuquerque, NM 87185-0779 (United States)
This study (1) identifies 16 potential geologic repository concepts for disposal of commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and (2) evaluates the achievable repository waste emplacement rate and time needed to complete disposal for these concepts. Total repository capacity is assumed to be 140,000 MTU of spent fuel. The results provide important input to rough-order-of-magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for SNF disposal alternatives. The disposal concepts cover three categories of host geologic media: crystalline, salt, and argillaceous rock. Four waste package sizes are considered: 4PWR/9BWR; 12PWR/21BWR; 21PWR/44BWR, and dual purpose canisters (DPCs) packaged for disposal. Each concept is associated with package thermal power limits for emplacement and repository closure (the same for some concepts). To estimate the repository emplacement rate and duration of operations, logistical simulations were performed using assumptions on interim SNF storage, disposition of SNF stored in DPCs, repository opening date, and throughput rates for storage and disposal facilities. The simulations demonstrate that all concepts and scenarios, with few exceptions, are similar with regard to achievable emplacement rate and duration of operations. Throughput of 3,000 MTU per year can be maintained during the first 44 years of repository operations. Most of the inventory (99%) can be emplaced within 54 years of repository operations (the remaining 1% could require additional aging or smaller packages). Estimating ROM disposal cost was not an objective of this analysis, however, an example of disposal cost is provided to demonstrate key differences between concepts. (authors)
Research Organization:
WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
OSTI ID:
22838306
Report Number(s):
INIS-US--19-WM-16529
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English