Repository heat and hydrological behavior at Yucca Mountain
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
The US DOE is investigating the suitability of Yucca Mountain as a potential site for a high-level nuclear waste repository. To safely and permanently store high-level radioactive waste, the potential repository system must limit gas or liquid phase transport of radionuclides to the accessible environment for tens of thousands of years. For a repository located in the saturated zone, the presence of liquid water is assumed; consequently, the degradational mechanisms depend primarily on the geochemistry near the waste wackages. For a repository located in the unsaturated zone, the primary concern is whether liquid water may come in contact with the waste package. radioactive heat of decay from spent nuclear fuel will play a dominant role in the performance of a potential repository at Yucca Mountain. This article summarizes informations on the following: major potential sources of fracture flow; heat driven flow processes; thermal loading strategies. 2 figs., 1 tab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 90816
- Journal Information:
- Radwaste Magazine, Journal Name: Radwaste Magazine Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 1; ISSN 1070-9541; ISSN RDMGEK
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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