Operational Considerations in Drift Emplacement of Waste Packages

Benton, Hugh A.; ,

Operational Considerations in Drift Emplacement of Waste Packages

by Hugh A. Benton, B&W Fuel Co/Management and, Operating Contractor, Las Vegas, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1993

Abstract:

This paper discusses the operational considerations as well as the advantages and disadvantages of emplacing waste packages in drifts in a repository. The considerations apply particularly to the potential repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste glass at Yucca Mountain, although most of the considerations and the principles upon which they are based would apply to any repository. The specific considerations, and the advantages and disadvantages discussed in this paper do not necessarily represent the official views of the Department of Energy (DOE) or of the Management and Operations Contractor, since most of these considerations are still under active discussion and the final decisions will not be made for some time - perhaps years. This paper describes the issues, suggests some principles upon which decisions should be based, and states some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages of the emplacement modes, and the associated waste package types and thermal loadings.

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