Mechanisms governing the release of radionuclides from spent nuclear fuel in geological repository: Major outcomes of the European Project SFS

Christophe Poinssot, Cécile Ferry, Bernd Grambow, Manfred Kelm, Kastriot Spahiu, Aurora Martinez, Lawrence Johnson, Esther Cera, Joan de Pablo, Javier Quinones, Detlef Wegen, Karel Lemmens, Thomas McMenamin, Christelle Cachoir

    Research outputpeer-review

    Abstract

    The aim of the research project "Spent Fuel Stability under repository conditions" (SFS) within the 5th FWP was to develop a common understanding of the radionuclide release from spent nuclear fuel in geological disposal and to build a RN release model in order to assess the fuel performance, focusing on an Instant Release Fraction (IRF) model and the Matrix Alteration Model (MAM). A new IRF model was developed based on the anticipated performances of the various fuel microstructures (gap, rim, grains boundaries) and the potential diffusion of RN before the canister breaching. To further develop the matrix alteration model, a large set of experimental data was acquired in order (i) to upgrade the current radiolytic kinetic scheme, (ii) to experimentally correlate the fuel alteration rate and the fuel alpha activity, (iii) to experimentally test the potential inhibitor effect of hydrogen on fuel dissolution. A new MAM was developed, which was calibrated using the experiments on inactive UO2 samples. This model was finally applied to representative granitic, salt and clayey environment to predict spent fuel long-term fuel performance.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationSymposium Proceedings. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIX
    Place of PublicationWarrendale, United States
    Pages421-432
    StatePublished - Jun 2006
    EventMRS 2005. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIX - SCK•CEN, Gent
    Duration: 12 Sep 200516 Sep 2005

    Conference

    ConferenceMRS 2005. Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XXIX
    Country/TerritoryBelgium
    CityGent
    Period2005-09-122005-09-16

    Cite this