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Analysis of thermal loading - a systems view

Journal Article · · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society
OSTI ID:89023
;  [1];  [2]
  1. TRW ESS, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
  2. Dept. of Energy, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

The critical issue of what thermal loading is acceptable must be decided in developing a potential repository for spent nuclear fuel (SNF). How densely packed the SNF should be and thus the thermal load produced is a difficult problem to evaluate because the heat released by the fuel produces coupled thermal, mechanical, hydrological, and geochernical processes, all of which can affect both pre- and postclosure performance of the proposed repository. The thermal loading not only affects the disposal function of nuclear waste disposal but has an impact on all aspects of the system, including transportation and accepted waste. Thus, arriving at a decision on thermal loading requires that a system analysis be conducted. In this way an effort will be made in ultimately making the decision to optimize the entire system rather than just a subelement of that system. A systems study has been undertaken to investigate the problem of thermal loading in the proposed underground repository at Yucca Mountain. This paper describes some of the findings of the study and discusses some of the system issues evaluated.

OSTI ID:
89023
Report Number(s):
CONF-941102--
Journal Information:
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society, Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society Vol. 71; ISSN TANSAO; ISSN 0003-018X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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