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Laser-heating and Radiance Spectrometry for the Study of Nuclear Materials in Conditions Simulating a Nuclear Power Plant Accident
Published on: December 14, 2017
Radiation induced spent nuclear fuel dissolution under deep repository conditions
Mats Jonsson1, Fredrik Nielsen, Olivia Roth
1KTH Chemical Science and Engineering, Nuclear Chemistry, Royal Institute of Technology, SE - 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden. matsj@kth.se
Environmental Science & Technology
|November 13, 2007
Summary
Radiation-induced dissolution of spent nuclear fuel is crucial for nuclear waste repository safety. Hydrogen gas produced from groundwater radiolysis can completely inhibit spent nuclear fuel dissolution for fuel older than 100 years.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Chemistry
- Geochemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Spent nuclear fuel dissolution in groundwater impacts deep geological repository safety assessments.
- Understanding radiation-induced oxidative dissolution is key for predicting long-term behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss elementary processes and parameters in spent nuclear fuel dissolution.
- To present a new simulation approach for spent nuclear fuel dissolution under repository conditions.
- To estimate the maximum dissolution rate for Swedish repository sites.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of elementary processes and parameters affecting fuel dissolution.
- Development of a new simulation model incorporating fuel age, burn-up, noble metal nanoparticles, H2, HCO3-, and water chemistry.
- Application of the model to Swedish repository site data.
Main Results:
- Solutes consuming hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and combined effects of noble metal nanoparticles and H2 significantly impact dissolution rates.
- H2 produced from groundwater radiolysis alone is sufficient to inhibit dissolution for spent nuclear fuel older than 100 years.
Conclusions:
- The developed simulation approach provides a robust method for assessing spent nuclear fuel dissolution.
- Groundwater radiolysis plays a critical role in controlling long-term spent nuclear fuel behavior in repositories.
- Complete inhibition of dissolution is achievable for older spent nuclear fuel due to H2 production.
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