Year
2000
Abstract
This paper describes the evolution of the waste-package design at the potential geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Because the potential repository is the first of its kind, the design of its components must be flexible and capable of evolving in response to continuing scientific study, development efforts, and changes to performance criteria. The team of scientists and engineers at the Yucca Mountain Projecht as utilized a systematic, scientific approach to design the potential geologic nuclear-waste repositoryA. s a result of continuing development efforts, the design has incorporated a growing base of scientific and engineering information to ensure that regulatorya nd performance requirements are met. The engineered barriers supplement the natural barriers in ensuing that the total system will meet the regulatory requirements. The waste package is a major component of the engineered barrier system. The waste package is being designed to provide a configuration capable of meeting the applicable regulatory and performance requirements for safely disposing spent nuclear fuel (SNF)a nd vitrified high-level waste (HLW) ian geologic repository. To accomplish this task, an iterative approach has been undertaken thath as involved the development of a design that meets manufacturing, cost, and performance requirements. The Yucca Mountain repository waste package has been developed to fulfill the following design requirements: Prevent the release of radionuclides; Provide criticality protection; Provide unique identification of waste housed inth e package; Enhance safety for personnel, equipment, and the environment; Prevent adverse reactions involving the waste form; Withstand loading, transportation, emplacement, and retrieval; Withstand the emplacement drift environment; Provide physical and chemical stability for the waste form; Manage the decay heat inside the potential repository; Promote and manage the heat transfer betweenth the waste form and the mountain; Facilitate decontamination of its outer surface.