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Near-Field Thermal Analysis of the Nuclear Waste Disposal Vault

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2011

H. S. Radhakrishna ,
K-C. Lau  and
A. M. Crawford
H. S. Radhakrishna
Affiliation:
Ontario Hydro, Research Div., 800 Kipling Ave., Toronto, Canada
K-C. Lau
Affiliation:
Strata Engineering Corp., Toronto, Canada
A. M. Crawford
Affiliation:
University of Toronto, Dept. of Civil Eng., Toronto, Canada
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Abstract

This paper describes an experimental and theoretical analysis of the near-field thermal performance of a backfilled disposal vault in which the waste containers are emplaced in boreholes and surrounded by a bentonite-sand buffer. Effects of heat and moisture diffusion on the thermal performance of clay-based buffer and backfills were studied by means of laboratory scale experiments. The bentonite-sand buffer exhibited cracking due to desiccation. The impact of such cracking on the perforamnce of buffer as an engineered barrier is being investigated.

An integrated finite difference computer code ‘TRUCHAM’ was written to analyze the transient heat and moisture flow regime in a disposal vault and was validated by a scale model heater experiment. It is hoped that with proper characterization of the material properties ‘TRUCHAM’ can be employed as a useful tool in assessing the thermal response of the prototype disposal vault. Further work is needed to integrate the effects of heat and moisture on the shrinkage and expansion of clay-based buffer and backfills.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 50: Symposium STOCKHOLM – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management IX , 1985 , 559
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1985

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References

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