Impact of Advanced Fuel Cycleson Geological Disposalin a Clay Formation

Jan Marivoet, Eef Weetjens

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    We made evaluations of the impact of advanced fuel cycles on the dimensions and the radiological consequences of a geological repository in a clay layer for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel. The thermal output of the high-level radioactive waste arising from advanced fuel cycles is significantly lower than the one of spent fuel. This allows to reduce the dimensions of the geological repository. The impact of advanced fuel cycles on the radiological consequences in the case of the expected evolution scenario is rather limited. The maximum dose, which is expected to occur a few tens of thousands year after the disposal of the waste, is essentially due to fission products and their amount is about proportional to the heat generated by nuclear fission. By considering the evolution of the radiotoxicity of the waste, it can be expected that the consequences of human intrusions into the repository will be significantly lower in case of waste arising from advanced fuel cycles.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 11th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference
    Place of PublicationLa Grange Park, Illinois, United States
    Pages805-812
    StatePublished - 30 Apr 2006
    Event2006 International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference - ANS - Americal Nuclear Society, Las Vegas
    Duration: 30 Apr 20064 May 2006

    Conference

    Conference2006 International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityLas Vegas
    Period2006-04-302006-05-04

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