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U.S. Department of Energy
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Radionuclide release scenario selection process for a possible repository in basalt

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6691020

As part of the US National Waste Terminal Storage Program, the Basalt Waste Isolation Project (BWIP) is aimed at assessing the feasibility of constructing a nuclear waste repository in a flow of the Columbia River Basalt Group located in the northwestern United States. Rockwell Hanford Operations is conducting the BWIP under contract to the US Department of Energy. This paper briefly considers some of the experience and results of early efforts within BWIP to develop a meaningful set of radionuclide release scenarios. The following topics are covered: generic release-inducing phenomena; setting and characteristics of the Columbia River basalt; scenario selection criteria; peliminary scenario elimination; credible release scenario selection; and scenarios examined to date, which are interconnecting fault, magmatic dike or sill intrusion, shaft seal failure, borehole intrusion, and fracturing due to microearthquake swarms.

Research Organization:
Atomics International Div., Richland, WA (USA). Rockwell Hanford Operations; Los Alamos Scientific Lab., NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-77RL01030
OSTI ID:
6691020
Report Number(s):
RHO-BWI-SA-83; CONF-8009121-1
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English