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Title: Nuclear Dynamics Consequence Analysis of SNF Disposed in Volcanic Tuff

Conference ·
OSTI ID:658237
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Sandia National Laboratory (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  2. New Mexico Engineering Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  3. Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

This paper describes criticality analyses for spent nuclear fuels in a geologic repository. The analyses investigated criticality potential, criticality excursion consequences, and the probability frequency for nuclear criticality. Key findings include: expected number of fissions per excursion range from 1017 to 1020, repeated rate of criticalities range from 3 to 30 per year, and the probability frequency for criticality initiators (based on rough-order-of-magnitude calculations) is 7x10 ⁻7. Overall results indicate that criticality consequences are a minor contribution to the biological hazards caused by the disposal of spent nuclear material.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratory (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States); New Mexico Engineering Research Inst., Albuquerque, NM (United States); Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Nuclear Criticality Safety Program (NCSP)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
658237
Report Number(s):
SAND-97-3187C; CONF-980906-; ON: DE98005782; BR: NM2690200; TRN: 98:011253
Resource Relation:
Conference: 3. American Nuclear Society (ANS) Topical Meeting on DOE Spent Nuclear Fuel and Fissile Materials Management, Charleston, SC (United States), 8-11 Sep 1998; Other Information: PBD: May 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English