Nuclear Waste Management using Electrometallurgical Technology
Waste Form Performance Modeling
Division researchers participate in the modeling and assessment of the metal and ceramic waste forms, which incorporate the radioactive wastes generated during electrometallurgical treatment of spent nuclear fuel. These waste forms must be qualified to meet the regulatory requirements on radionuclide release and thermal performance within a geologic repository. Acceptable limits on temperature and radionuclide release must also be met under on-site interim storage and transportation conditions. The qualification relies on both testing and modeling.
Thermal Analysis Results that Demonstrate the Potential Increase in the Amount of Recycle Waste That Could Disposed as Compared to Direct Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel
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NE's modeling efforts are coordinated with testing activities conducted by CSE and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) investigators. The activities encompass (a) thermal and radiation-shielding analyses of waste package configurations, (b) modeling of waste form degradation and radionuclide retention as functions of time and environmental conditions of storage and final disposition, and (c) integrated assessment of waste form long-term performance in a geologic repository. Specific modeling and analysis activities include:
- Developing models of the long-term degradation behavior and radionuclide release mechanisms of the ceramic waste. The modeling effort currently focuses on interpretation of experimental results of waste qualification tests provided by the waste form development and testing groups-with the objective of applying these results to the long time scales and environmental conditions of interest in repository performance evaluation. Such phenomena as radiation damage and humid corrosion are considered in the models. This empirical modeling approach is complemented by molecular-level simulations to provide insights into the experimental results and to provide a theoretical basis for future predictive models.
- Creating and maintaining an electronic database of metal and ceramic waste performance data generated by experimental groups in the CSE Division and at INL. This database supports waste form design optimization and performance modeling. The database is being made accessible to project personnel via World Wide Web technologies.
- Developing a repository performance assessment model to be used for scoping studies and parameter sensitivity studies. This model is being developed in collaboration with Golder Associates, Inc., and Duke Engineering/TRW (the DOE Management and Operating Contractor for the Yucca Mountain Project). When completed, the model will be available to allow individual waste storage sites to perform preliminary repository performance evaluations to support decisions related to the benefits of treating spent fuel by the electrometallurgical process prior to disposal.
- Developing waste packaging designs compatible with both on-site interim storage and geologic permanent disposal. Analyses include transportation considerations, thermal evaluations, and dose calculations. As part of this process, working relationships have been established with the National Spent Nuclear Fuel Program, Duke Engineering/TRW, the DOE Standardized Canister Working Group, and performance assessment specialists at Sandia National Laboratory.
Repository Performance Assessment Results that Demonstrate the Potential Decrease in Dose to the Public for Disposing Recycle Wastes Compared to Direct Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel.
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Video: Nuclear Recycling in 4 Minutes
In the Press
pyroprocessing and advanced reactor research featured on WGN radio
Hussein Khalil, director of the Nuclear Engineering Division, talks to Bill Moller of WGN Radio about the revolutionary potential of pyroprocessing -- NE Highlights (Jul. 23, 2012)
site called model for nuclear waste disposal
Mark Nutt discussed options for a disposal site in an interview with an Associated Press journalist. -- Energy Central (Jun. 13, 2011)
Mark Nutt gives keynote speech at Powell Symposium
Mark Nutt delivered the keynote speech at the 2010 Powell Symposium on September 16th, 2010 in Page Arizona. The theme of the Symposium was “Feeding the Grid,” and the focus was to take a closer look at the energy issues that affect this unique region of the Southwest United Sates – the Colorado Plateau. Mark was invited to deliver a talk regarding nuclear energy. His talk was titled “Nuclear Power - Contributing to U.S. Energy Needs in the 21st Century?” ... Read full article -- EESA Media Center
DOE submits Yucca Mountain license application; Argonne contributes science, engineering support
The U.S. Department of Energy reached a milestone in its efforts to help enable the renaissance of nuclear energy in the United States June 3, when Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman announced that the department had submitted the formal license application for the federal nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Argonne played a role in developing the license application, and — along with nuclear power generators in Illinois — will benefit from the repository should the NRC approve the license... Read full article
Argonne Media Center [16KB]
Last Modified: Thu, April 21, 2016 4:51 AM