EQ6 Calculations for Chemical Degradation of Navy Waste Packages

Technical Report · Sun Nov 14 23:00:00 EST 1999

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/899271· OSTI ID:899271

LeStrange, Susan ^[1]

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1. Yucca Mountain Project, Las Vegas, NV (United States)

The Monitored Geologic Repository Waste Package Operations of the Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System Management & Operating Contractor (CRWMS M&O) performed calculations to provide input for disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from the Navy. The Navy SNF has been considered for disposal at the potential Yucca Mountain site. For some waste packages, the containment may breach, allowing the influx of water. Water in the waste package may moderate neutrons, increasing the likelihood of a criticality event within the waste package. The water may gradually leach the fissile components and neutron absorbers out of the waste package. In addition, the accumulation of silica (SiO₂) in the waste package over time may further affect the neutronics of the system. This study presents calculations of the long-term geochemical behavior of waste packages containing the Enhanced Design Alternative (EDA) II inner shell, Navy canister, and basket components. The calculations do not include the Navy SNF in the waste package. The specific study objectives were to determine the chemical composition of the water and the quantity of silicon (Si) and other solid corrosion products in the waste package during the first million years after the waste package is breached. The results of this calculation will be used to ensure that the type and amount of criticality control material used in the waste package design will prevent criticality.

• Research Organization: Yucca Mountain Project, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
• OSTI ID: 899271
• Report Number(s): CAL-EDC-MD-000007-Rev-00; MOL.19991220.0379, DC# 23359
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
Accumulation
Analysis
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CONTAINMENT
CORROSION PRODUCTS
CRITICALITY
Corrosion
Corrosion Products
Criticality
EDA
Enhanced Design Alternative
NEUTRON ABSORBERS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEAR FUELS
Neutrons
Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
Nuclear Fuel
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
SILICA
SILICON
Silica
Study
WASTES
WATER
Waste Package
YUCCA MOUNTAIN