Lessons Learned from the Yucca Mountain and WIPP Projects

2010 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 194-202 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evaristo J. Bonano ◽  
David S. Kessel ◽  
Lori J. Dotson
Keyword(s):  
System Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Total System ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
License Application ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

For more than 30 years Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) has played a key role in the development and implementation of total system analyses of waste management systems in the United States. Two very important applications have been the total system analysis of long term performance that supported (1) the Compliance Certification Application (CCA) for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in 1996 and (2) the License Application (LA) for the Yucca Mountain (YM) Repository in 2008.

Doe Progress in Assessing the Long Term Performance of Waste Package Materials

1986 ◽  
Vol 84 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Berusch ◽  
E. Gause
Keyword(s):  
Site Characterization ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Level Waste ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
Waste Package ◽  
License Application ◽  
High Level ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

Summary:Each of the projects has made significant progress toward the eventual operation of a repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive wastes in the United States. Although much has been accomplished, much remains to be done. For example, the Site Characterization Plans for BWIP and NNWSI are nearing completion to be followed by initiation of site characterization activities. The Site Characterization Plan for the selected salt site is scheduled for completion later in 1987. Waste package advanced conceptual design studies are currently scheduled to begin at each project before the end of FY 1987. These efforts will lead to selections of concepts to be detailed in the license application design phase. Compliance with the NRC criteria that require long-term waste package performance will be demonstrated by DOE by performing all of the aforementioned activities. In doing so, the DOE will also be assured that its plan for the safe disposal of high-level waste will be satisfactorily implemented.

Advanced Techniques for Establishing Long-Term Performance of Composite Repair Systems

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Alexander
Keyword(s):  
The United States ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Repair System ◽  
Composite Repair ◽  
Design Life ◽  
Repair Systems ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance ◽  
Composite Repairs

Although composite materials are used to repair and reinforce a variety of anomalies in high pressure transmission gas and liquid pipelines, there continues to be widespread debate regarding what constitutes a long-term composite repair. The United States regulations require that composite repairs must be able to permanently restore the serviceability of the repaired pipeline, while in contrast the Canadian regulations take a more prescriptive approach by integrating the ASME PCC-2 and ISO 24817 composite repair standards along with a requirement for establishing a 50-year design life. In this paper the author provides a framework for what should be considered in qualifying a composite repair system for long-term performance by focusing on the critical technical aspects associated with a sound composite repair. The presentation includes a discussion on establishing an appropriate composite design stress using the existing standards, using full-scale testing to ensure that stresses in the repair do not exceed the designated composite design stresses, and guidance for operators in how to properly integrate their pipeline operating conditions to establish a design life. By implementing the recommendations presented in this paper, operators will be equipped with a resource for objectively evaluating the composite repair systems used to repair their pipeline systems.

Updated Review of Stone Matrix Asphalt and Superpave® Projects

2003 ◽  
Vol 1832 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald E. Watson
Keyword(s):  
Material Properties ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mix Design ◽  
Stone Matrix Asphalt ◽  
High Traffic Volume ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance ◽  
Stone Matrix

Stone matrix asphalt (SMA) and Superpave® represent relatively new mix design technologies in the United States. Therefore, a condition survey was conducted of mixes that had been in service for several years to evaluate the long-term performance of SMA and Superpave projects. This study is a follow-up to a 1995 review of SMA projects and a 1998 review of Superpave projects. Both SMA and Superpave are acknowledged to be rut-resistant mixes, and this resistance was shown to be the case during this project review. However, a significant amount of cracking occurred early in the life of some of these mixtures. Overall, the SMA mixtures appeared to be more durable than the Superpave mixtures evaluated. The SMA mixtures have been in place about 2½ years longer than the Superpave mixtures, but the overall condition is about the same. Some of the primary conclusions from the survey are as follows: both SMA and Superpave mixtures were shown to be rut-resistant even when placed on facilities with high traffic volume; much of the observed cracking, especially load cracking, appeared to be more related to problems other than mix design or material properties; and SMA mixtures can be expected to last longer than Superpave mixtures before reaching the same condition level.

The Long-Term Safety and Performance Analyses of the Surface Disposal Facility for the Belgian Category A Waste at Dessel

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Cool ◽  
Elise Vermariën ◽  
William Wacquier ◽  
Janez Perko
Keyword(s):  
Radioactive Waste ◽  
Radiological Criteria ◽  
Disposal Facility ◽  
Safety Function ◽  
License Application ◽  
Performance Analyses ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

ONDRAF/NIRAS, the Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials, and its partners have developed long-term safety and performance analyses in the framework of the license application for a surface disposal facility for low level radioactive waste (category A waste) at Dessel, Belgium. This paper focusses on the methodology of the safety assessments and on key results from the application of this methodology. An overview is given (1) of the performance analyses for the containment safety function of the disposal system and (2) of the radiological impact analyses confirming that radiological impacts are below applicable reference values and constraints and leading to radiological criteria for the waste and the facility. In this discussion, multiple indicators for performance and safety are used to illustrate the multi-faceted nature of long-term performance and safety of the surface disposal. This contributes to the multiple lines of reasoning for confidence building that a positive decision to proceed to the next stage of construction is justified.

Resolution of the Long-Term Performance Issues at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Risk Analysis ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (5) ◽  
pp. 1003-1016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew K. Silva ◽  
Dale F. Rucker ◽  
Lokesh Chaturvedi
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Plant ◽  
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant ◽  
Performance Issues ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

Proceeding Toward a License Application for U.S. Nuclear Waste Repository: Total System Performance Assessment Approach

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry McNeish ◽  
Peter Swift ◽  
Rob Howard ◽  
David Sevougian ◽  
Donald Kalinich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Performance Assessment ◽  
System Performance ◽  
Nuclear Regulatory Commission ◽  
The United States ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Total System ◽  
License Application ◽  
Regulatory Commission ◽  
The U.S

The development of a deep geologic repository system in the United States has progressed to the preparation of an application for a license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The project received site recommendation approval from the U.S. President in early 2002. The next phase of the project involves development of the license application (LA) utilizing the vast body of information accumulated in study of the site at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. Development of the license application involves analyses of the total system performance assessment (TSPA) of the repository, the TSPA-LA. The TSPA includes the available relevant information and model analyses from the various components of the system (e.g., unsaturated geologic zone, engineered system (waste packaging and drift design), and saturated geologic zone) (see Fig. 1 for nominal condition components), and unites that information into a single computer model used for evaluating the potential future performance or degradation of the repository system. The primary regulatory guidance for the repository system is found in 10 CFR 63, which indicates the acceptable risk to future populations from the repository system. The performance analysis must be traceable and transparent, with a defensible basis. The TSPA-LA is being developed utilizing state-of-the-art modeling software and visualization techniques, building on a decade of experience with such analyses. The documentation of the model and the analyses will be developed with transparency and traceability concepts to provide an integrated package for reviewers. The analysis relies on 1000’s of pages of supporting information, and multiple software and process model analyses. The computational environment represents the significant advances in the last 10 years in computer workstations. The overall approach will provide a thorough, transparent compliance analysis for consideration by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission in evaluating the Yucca Mountain repository.

Description of Performance Allocation: A Case Study at Yucca Mountain

1997 ◽  
Vol 506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vinod Vallikat ◽  
S. David Sevougian ◽  
Jerry A. McNeish
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Ability ◽  
Yucca Mountain ◽  
Nuclear Waste Repository ◽  
Substantial Fraction ◽  
Overall Performance ◽  
Waste Repository ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

A methodology was developed to determine the effectiveness of different components/barriers in isolating waste from the accessible environment for the potential nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada [1]. Quantifying the performance offered by different barriers aids in prioritizing the testing and analysis activities aimed at resolving uncertainty in processes and parameters of greatest significance to long-term performance. If a substantial fraction of the overall performance of a repository system may be attributed to the performance of a particular barrier, then it is prudent to devote the necessary resources toward enhancing the confidence in our predictive ability regarding that barrier (through more in-depth characterization and testing).

Asphalt Trackbed Technology Development: The First 20 Years

2000 ◽  
Vol 1713 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerry G. Rose ◽  
E. Ray Brown ◽  
Monica L. Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
The United States ◽  
Optimum Moisture Content ◽  
Performance Evaluations ◽  
Track Structure ◽  
Maintenance Costs ◽  
Rail Network ◽  
Long Term Performance ◽  
Term Performance

The evolution of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) trackbed technology is documented as presently practiced in the United States. Criteria used in selecting sites for and the attendant benefits of HMA trackbeds, based on long-term performance evaluations, are discussed. Prevailing practices for selecting ideal HMA mix parameters, trackbed section designs, and application procedures are described in detail. Primary attention is directed at the “underlayment” procedure in which the HMA serves as a premium subballast layer within the track structure to enhance the support, waterproofing, and confinement properties of the subballast. The roadbed or subgrade materials underlying the HMA mats maintain near-optimum moisture content. The HMA appears to undergo little if any weathering or deterioration in the trackbed environment. The resultant benefits are decreased maintenance costs, fewer slow orders, fewer operational interferences, and improved operational efficiency of the rail network overall.

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