Effects of variations of selected repository design parameters for salt and granite host rocks
Perhaps the most important design consideration is the heat generated by the spent fuel assemblies or the high-level waste being placed in the repository. The sensitivity of repository design to this heat is reflected by the definition of temperature and thermochemical criteria. To assure environmental and occupational safety, limits may be placed on such parameters as spent fuel or waste temperature, canister temperature, rock temperature, strength-to-stress ratio of the excavated openings, surface uplift or subsidence, temperature increase in an aquifer, and temperature increase at or near the surface of the earth. Appropriate criteria are chosen to accomplish ready retrievability, to retard canister corrosion, to suppress the rate of nuclide leaching, to control the buoyant forces that drive potential nuclide migration, to assure mine safety, to assure formation stability, and to control the thermal and thermomechanical impact on the environment. Other major concerns in the location and design of a waste repository are the presence and effect of groundwater within the repository host rock and the surrounding strata. Additional groundwater considerations include its effect on canister integrity, its potential as a source of hydrogen, and its effect on the repository operational environment. Two types of retrieval are considered: operational verification and resource recovery. Effects of waste arrival rates on design are discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Science Applications, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-26
- OSTI ID:
- 6566626
- Report Number(s):
- Y/OWI/SUB-78/22340/3
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CONTAINERS
DESIGN
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GRANITES
GROUND WATER
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MANAGEMENT
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RECOVERY
ROCKS
SALT DEPOSITS
SPENT FUEL STORAGE
STORAGE
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
UNDERGROUND STORAGE
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES
WATER