Potential effect of water influx on the dissolution rate of UO{sub 2}in spent fuel at the Yucca Mountain, Nevada site

Technical Report · Sun Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:59778

Braithwaite, J W

This study identifies the potential effect of groundwater influx on the dissolution rate of uranium dioxide (UO{sub 2}) from spent fuel for expected conditions at a prospective site for the disposal of radioactive waste. The analysis is based on the hydrological characteristics of the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Although conditions that could lead to inundation of the waste packages are improbable at the site, dissolution resulting from either complete or partial exposure of the spent fuel to water was considered. Estimates were made of the lower limit of water-contact time with the UO{sub 2} in spent fuel under partially saturated conditions. If spent fuel is inundated, the dissolution rate of the UO{sub 2} is constrained by its solubility limit. If partially saturated conditions exist, the uraniun dioxide leach rate could control the dissolution process. Under conditions of both partial or complete saturation, the dissolution rate of uranium is shown to be a linear function of the water influx. The practical application of the results of this study for determining radionuclide-release rates from spent fuel is also discussed.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76DP00789
• OSTI ID: 59778
• Report Number(s): SAND--84-1007; ON: DE86005335
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DISSOLUTION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GROUND WATER
HYDROLOGY
LEACHING
SPENT FUELS
TUFF
URANIUM DIOXIDE
WATER INFLUX
YUCCA MOUNTAIN
Yucca Mountain Project