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Key Scientific Issues Related to the Evolution of Spent Nuclear Fuel in Long Term Dry Storage and Geological Disposal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Christophe POINSSOT
Affiliation:
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, CEA Saclay, Nuclear Energy Division, Department of Physics and Chemistry, Service for the study of radionuclide behaviour, BP11, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex
Cécile FERRY
Affiliation:
Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique, CEA Saclay, Nuclear Energy Division, Department of Physics and Chemistry, Service for the study of radionuclide behaviour, BP11, F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex
Jean-Marie GRAS
Affiliation:
Electricité de France, R&D Division, Les Renardières, F-77 Moret-sur-Loing, France
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Abstract

The anticipated long term evolution of spent nuclear fuel as well as the remaining scientific key issues are presented for the various boundary conditions that can be encountered in long term dry storage and geological disposal. Spent fuel is expected to evolve significantly in closed system conditions which are representative of long term dry storage and the first stages of geological disposal. The mechanical evolution of the grain boundaries, the fate of helium and the evolution of the RN location within the pellet are the three major questions to be addressed which could significantly modify the physical and chemical state of the fuel. In addition, mechanisms and kinetics of fuel alteration by water in deep geological repository are still to be more deeply understood, in particular the inventory of the instant release and the radiolytic dissolution processes, to get a robust and reliable source term.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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