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.

Application of electrochemical methods in the development of models for fuel dissolution and container corrosion under nuclear waste disposal conditions

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (11) ◽  
pp. 1566-1584 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.W. Shoesmith ◽  
W.H. Hocking ◽  
B.M. Ikeda ◽  
F. King ◽  
J.J. Noël ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Anodic Dissolution ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Chloride Solutions ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Waste Container ◽  
Transport Barriers ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

The permanent disposal of nuclear fuel wastes requires the development of models that can assess the performance of a disposal vault over long periods of time. Models to assess the long-term stability of the nuclear fuel (UO2) and the corrosion performance of the waste container (either copper or titanium) have been based on electrochemical principles. Here we review the chemical/electrochemical performance of fuel and the two candidate container materials, and describe some of the electrochemical studies undertaken either to develop the mechanistic understanding upon which these models are based or to measure the values of parameters required to evaluate long-term performance. These include the following: the anodic dissolution of UO2; the reduction of O2 on various specimens of UO2; the crevice corrosion of various titanium alloys; the impedance characteristics of passive films on Ti alloys; the anodic dissolution of copper in chloride solutions; the reduction of O2 on copper; the effect of various transport barriers on the corrosion of copper; and the prediction of the corrosion potential of copper in aerated chloride solutions. Keywords: uranium dioxide, copper, titanium, nuclear waste, oxygen.

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

Review of the Development of the Proposed Yucca Mountain Geologic Repository

2014 ◽  
Vol 94 ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Charlotta E. Sanders
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Waste Policy ◽  
High Level ◽  
Nuclear Waste Policy ◽  
The U.S

It can be said that the nuclear community neglected the issue of final storage of nuclear waste in the first era of nuclear power production, with many nations not looking at this topic until some years into its program. This is a matter that must not be neglected now during the ‘renaissance’ of nuclear if nuclear energy is to have a part on the stage of the play in world energy supplies. In 1982, the United States (U.S.) Congress passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act (NWPA), which outlines the screening process for selecting a national site for used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste storage. This paper describes the U.S. nuclear waste policy dilemma and its impact on the selection and development of the nation's first long-term geologic repository for over 70,000 metric tons of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. In 1987, the U.S. Congress designated Yucca Mountain, which can be described as the "most studied real estate on the planet", as the repository site to be characterized. However, due to political pressures, the fate and realization of the Yucca Mountain repository is uncertain.

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.

Site Investigations of Potential Repository Sites in Sweden

2003 ◽  
Vol 807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Wikberg ◽  
Kaj Ahlbom ◽  
Olle Olsson
Keyword(s):  
Waste Management ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Spent Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Site Investigation ◽  
Management Programme ◽  
Nuclear Waste Management ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
The Public ◽  
Site Investigations

ABSTRACTThe Swedish nuclear waste management programme has entered the site investigation phase. Early 2002 SKB received permission from the municipalities of Östhammar and Oskarshamn to perform site investigations for a potential deep geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel. The goal of the site investigation phase is to obtain a permit to build the deep repository for spent nuclear fuel. In parallel with the investigations, consultations will be held with county administrative boards, regulatory authorities and municipalities, as well as with members of the public.

Evaluation of the Localised Corrosion of Carbon Steel Overpacks for Nuclear Waste Disposal in Granite Environments

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. P. Marsh ◽  
K. J. Taylor ◽  
I. D. Bland ◽  
C. Westcott ◽  
P. W. Tasker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Steel ◽  
Mathematical Modelling ◽  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
Waste Disposal ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Steel Corrosion ◽  
Spent Fuel ◽  
Corrosion Attack ◽  
Metal Thickness

AbstractThe application of carbon steel corrosion allowance containers for the long term encapsulation of HLW or spent fuel requires data on the likely rates of corrosion attack so that the metal thickness needed to prevent penetration can be estimated. This paper describes a joint mathematical modelling and experimental approach to the evaluation of the rate of localised corrosion.

U.S. Nuclear Defense Waste Program Current Development and Key Research Areas

1985 ◽  
Vol 50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ray D. Walton ◽  
Kenneth A. Chacey
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Waste ◽  
The United States ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Current Development ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Develop Technology ◽  
Over 40 Years ◽  
Term Management

AbstractThe United States has been engaged in defense nuclear activities for over 40 years. The primary goal of the Defense Waste and Byproducts Management Program is to develop technology which ensures the safe, permanent disposal of all defense nuclear waste. Programs are in place at each U.S. Department of Energy site which address long-term strategy for permanent disposal of waste generated as a result of defense operations. Technology is developed for assessing the hazards, environmental impact, and cost of each long-term disposition alternative for selection and implementation. This paper addresses the key research areas and major facilities associated with the long-term management of defense nuclear waste.

Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program, Used Fuel Disposition Campaign Objective, Mission, Plans, and Activity Status

2010 ◽  
Vol 1265 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Mark Nutt ◽  
Mark Peters ◽  
Peter Swift ◽  
Kevin McMahon ◽  
Ken Sorenson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Nuclear Fuel ◽  
Fuel Cycle ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Nuclear Fuel Cycle ◽  
The United States ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Fundamental Aspect ◽  
Geologic Repository ◽  
Used Nuclear Fuel

AbstractThe safe management and disposition of used nuclear fuel and/or high level nuclear waste is a fundamental aspect of the nuclear fuel cycle. The United States currently utilizes a once-through fuel cycle where used nuclear fuel is stored on-site in either wet pools or in dry storage systems with ultimate disposal in a deep mined geologic repository envisioned. However, a decision not to use the proposed Yucca Mountain Repository will result in longer interim storage at reactor sites than previously planned. In addition, alternatives to the once-through fuel cycle are being considered and a variety of options are being explored under the U.S. Department of Energy's Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program.These two factors lead to the need to develop a credible strategy for managing radioactive wastes from any future nuclear fuel cycle in order to provide acceptable disposition pathways for all wastes regardless of transmutation system technology, fuel reprocessing scheme(s), and/or the selected fuel cycle. These disposition paths will involve both the storing of radioactive material for some period of time and the ultimate disposal of radioactive waste.To address the challenges associated with waste management, the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy established the Used Fuel Disposition Campaign within its Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program in the summer of 2009. The mission of the Used Fuel Disposition Campaign is to identify alternatives and conduct scientific research and technology development to enable storage and disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by existing and future nuclear fuel cycles. The near-and long-term objectives of the Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program and it's Used Fuel Disposition Campaign are presented.

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