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Radionuclide Transport through Perforations in Nuclear Waste Containers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

Cyrus K. Aidun ,
Sanford G. Bloom  and
Gilbert E. Raines
Cyrus K. Aidun
Affiliation:
Battelle Project Management Division, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
Sanford G. Bloom
Affiliation:
Battelle Project Management Division, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
Gilbert E. Raines
Affiliation:
Battelle Project Management Division, 505 King Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201
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Abstract

Previous analytical models for the steady-state radionuclide release rate through perforations in nuclear waste containers into the surrounding medium, are based on a zero wall thickness assumption. In this paper we investigate the effect of the wall thickness on the mass transfer rate through isolated circular holes. We solve the steady-state diffusion equation for the concentration field and derive a model based on the analytical solution. By direct comparison, we show that the zero wall thickness model overpredicts the mass transfer rate by about 1300 percent for a circular hole with 1 cm radius and a wall thickness of 10 cm. As expected, the zero-thickness model becomes even less accurate as the hole radius decreases; it predicts a greater release rate from a large number of small holes than the mass transfer rate from an uncontained waste form cylinder. In contrast, the results predicted by our model remain bounded for isolated holes and never exceed the mass transfer from an uncontained waste form.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 112: Symposium P – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XI , 1987 , 261
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1988

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References

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