Performance Assessment of Disposal of Selected U.S. Department of Energy Spent Fuel in High Integrity Cans

Abstract

The purpose of this calculation is to determine the effects on long-term dose from disposing of selected U. S. Department of Energy (DOE) spent nuclear fuel (DSNF) in high integrity cans (HICs). The Civilian Radioactive Waste Management System Management and Operating contractor (CRWMS M&O) prepared the calculation as part of Performance Assessment (PA) activities for the DOE Yucca Mountain Project. DSNF encompasses approximately 2,500 MTHM (metric tons heavy metal) consisting of over 200 fuel types that have been categorized into 11 groups, referred to as Groups 1 to 11, to facilitate their performance assessment (DOE 1999a, Sec. 5). DSNF and high level waste (HLW) have been allocated 7,000 MTHM or 10% of the 70,000 MTHM of nuclear waste scheduled for disposal at Yucca Mountain (DOE 1999a, Sec. 8.1). Of the 7,000 MTHM, 2,333 will be DSNF, or 93% of all 2,500 MTHM of DSNF, and 4,667 MTHM equivalent will be HLW (DOE 1999a, Sec. 8.1). The DOE spent fuels selected for HIC disposal are those that are poorly characterized, fragmented, or damaged, and the HIC concept is intended to provide additional protection by delaying the radionuclide release to ensure that environmental and/or regulatory standards are met.

Related Papers

• → Review of the development of the transportation, aging, and disposal (TAD) waste disposal system for the proposed Yucca Mountain geologic repository(2012)4 cited
• → Progress in permanent geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in the United States(2004)6 cited
• → Direct Investigations of the Immobilization of Radionuclides in the Alteration Products of Spent Nuclear Fuel(2004)2 cited
• Site characterization of Yucca Mountain disposal system for spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.(2012)
• RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL. A SUGGESTION FOR A PERMANENT INTERNATIONAL POLAR HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE REPOSITORY.(1972)