Thermal-Hydrology Simulations of Disposal of High-Level Radioactive Waste in a Single Deep Borehole

Technical Report · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1226789· OSTI ID:1226789

Hadgu, Teklu ^[1]; Stein, Emily ^[1]; Hardin, Ernest ^[1]; Freeze, Geoffrey A. ^[1]; Hammond, Glenn Edward ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Simulations of thermal-hydrology were carried out for the emplacement of spent nuclear fuel canisters and cesium and strontium capsules using the PFLOTRAN simulator. For the cesium and strontium capsules the analysis looked at disposal options such as different disposal configurations and surface aging of waste to reduce thermal effects. The simulations studied temperature and fluid flux in the vicinity of the borehole. Simulation results include temperature and vertical flux profiles around the borehole at selected depths. Of particular importance are peak temperature increases, and fluxes at the top of the disposal zone. Simulations of cesium and strontium capsule disposal predict that surface aging and/or emplacement of the waste at the top of the disposal zone reduces thermal effects and vertical fluid fluxes. Smaller waste canisters emplaced over a longer disposal zone create the smallest thermal effect and vertical fluid fluxes no matter the age of the waste or depth of emplacement.

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Fuel Cycle Technologies (NE-5)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1226789
• Report Number(s): SAND2015-10110; 608290
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English