scholarly journals An update on the copper corrosion program for the long‐term management of used nuclear fuel in Canada

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 25-31
Author(s):  
Peter G. Keech ◽  
Mehran Behazin ◽  
W. Jeffrey Binns ◽  
Scott Briggs
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Copper Corrosion ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Term Management

scholarly journals A Review of the Effect of Irradiation on the Corrosion of Copper-Coated Used Fuel Containers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 678-707
Author(s):  
Fraser King ◽  
Mehran Behazin
Keyword(s):  
Potential Model ◽  
Pure Water ◽  
Copper Corrosion ◽  
Γ Radiation ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Radiolysis Products ◽  
Radiation Induced ◽  
State Concentration ◽  
Term Management

Radiation induced corrosion is one of the possible modes of materials degradation in the concept of long-term management of used nuclear fuel. Depending on the environmental conditions surrounding the used fuel container, a range of radiolysis products are expected to form that could impact the corrosion of the copper coating. For instance, γ-radiolysis of pure water produces molecular oxidants such as H2O2 and the radiolysis of humid air produces compounds such as NOx and HNO3. This review is confined to a discussion of the effect of γ-radiation on the corrosion of copper-coated containers. A simplified mixed-potential model is also presented to calculate the extent of copper corrosion by using the steady-state concentration of H2O2 generated during the first 300 years of emplacement, when the radiation field is significant.

Corrosion of Nuclear Fuel Inside a Failed Copper Nuclear Waste Container

2006 ◽  
Vol 985 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Broczkowski ◽  
Jonathan S Goldik ◽  
Billy G Santos ◽  
James J Noel ◽  
David Shoesmith
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Waste Container ◽  
Parameter Values ◽  
Term Management

AbstractCanada's Nuclear Waste Management Organization has recommended to the Canadian federal government an adaptive phased management approach to the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. This approach includes isolation in a deep geologic repository. In such a repository, the fuel would be sealed inside a carbon steel-lined copper container. To assist the development of performance assessment models studies of fuel behaviour inside a failed waste container are underway. Using an iterative modeling and experimental approach, the important features and processes that determine fuel behaviour have been identified and studied. These features and processes are discussed and the results of studies to elucidate specific mechanisms and determine important parameter values summarized.

Perspectives on the Review of AECL's Proposal for Disposing of Canada's Nuclear Fuel Waste

1997 ◽  
Vol 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.W. Dormuth ◽  
P.A. Gillespie ◽  
S.H. Whitaker
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Geological Disposal ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Hearings ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Waste ◽  
Term Management

ABSTRACTA federal Environmental Assessment Panel has completed public hearings on the proposed concept for geological disposal of Canada's nuclear fuel waste. The Panel will make recommendations to assist the governments of Canada and Ontario in reaching decisions on the acceptability of the proposed concept and on the steps that must be taken to ensure the safe long-term management of nuclear fuel waste in Canada. It is instructive to review the background to the public hearings, to consider the issues that have been important in the public review, and to reflect on the opposing points of view presented at the hearings.

scholarly journals Microbiology of Barrier Component Analogues of a Deep Geological Repository

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel C Beaver ◽  
Katja Engel ◽  
W. Jeffrey Binns ◽  
Josh Neufeld
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Selection Process ◽  
Crystalline Rock ◽  
Opalinus Clay ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Deep Geological Repository ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Geological Repository ◽  
Clay Formation

Canada is currently implementing a site selection process to identify a location for a deep geological repository (DGR) for the long-term storage of Canada’s used nuclear fuel, wherein used nuclear fuel bundles will be sealed inside copper-coated carbon steel containers, encased in highly compacted bentonite clay buffer boxes and sealed deep underground in a stable geosphere. Because a DGR must remain functional for a million years, there is value to examining ancient natural systems that serve as analogues for planned DGR components. Specifically, studying the microbiology of natural analogue components of a DGR is important for developing an understanding of the types of microorganisms that may be able to grow and influence the long-term stability of a DGR. This study explored the abundance, viability, and composition of microorganisms in several ancient natural analogues using a combination of cultivation and cultivation-independent approaches. Samples were obtained from the Tsukinuno bentonite deposit (Japan) that formed ~10 mya, the Opalinus Clay formation (Switzerland) that formed ~174 mya, and Canadian shield crystalline rock from Northern Ontario that formed ~2.7 bya. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed that three of the ten Tsukinuno bentonite samples analyzed were dominated by putative aerobic heterotrophs and fermenting bacteria from the Actinobacteria phylum, whereas five of the Tsukinuno bentonite samples were dominated by sequences associated with putative acidophilic chemolithoautotrophs capable of sulfur reduction.

scholarly journals Design and development of copper coatings for long term storage of used nuclear fuel

2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 425-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. G. Keech ◽  
P. Vo ◽  
S. Ramamurthy ◽  
J. Chen ◽  
R. Jacklin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Design And Development ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Copper Coatings ◽  
Term Storage

Ageing Management of Dry Storage Systems for Long-Term Storage

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justo Garcia ◽  
Hervé Issard
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Nuclear Reactors ◽  
Storage Systems ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Dry Storage ◽  
Ageing Management ◽  
Interim Storage

Nuclear reactors generate used nuclear fuel, which needs to be safely managed. After discharge from operating nuclear reactors, the used nuclear fuel stored during a certain period of time in reactor pool is removed for reprocessing, disposal, or storage elsewhere. A need for additional storage exists because of delays in used nuclear fuel disposition decisions and the continually increasing volume of used nuclear fuel discharged from reactors. Interim storage of used nuclear fuel is an essential part of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle providing nuclear safety and ensuring protection to the public. Interim storage of used nuclear fuel currently used includes: • Dry storage in vaults, casks and containers • Wet storage, in silos, pools, outside reactor operating areas Interim dry storage systems were originally designed for limited periods, generally 40–60 years. Interim dry storage is safe as shown by important industrial feedback and the operational records, even from severe accidents. With extended interim dry storage, technical and safety investigations are presently being carried out concerning used nuclear fuel behavior, and the storage structures and their system components to demonstrate and justify the ability of the systems to store safely and securely the used nuclear fuel for a much longer period of time. These investigations are part of the ageing management program for the storage system which should address a description of the ageing that could adversely affect structures and components important to safety. This paper provides highlights of issues related to managing effects on dry cask storage systems for long-term interim storage and transportation of used nuclear fuel.

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