Criticality Potential of Waste Packages Containing DOE SNF Affected by Igneous Intrusion

摘要

The Department of Energy (DOE) is currently pursuing a license for the Yucca Mountain Project to construct a monitored geologic repository for the permanent disposal of nuclear waste. The repository will contain spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and defense high-level waste (DHLW) in waste packages placed in underground tunnels, or drifts. The primary objective of this paper is to perform a criticality safety analysis for waste packages containing DOE SNF affected by a disruptive igneous intrusion event in the emplacement drifts. The waste packages feature one DOE SNF canister placed in the center and surrounded by five High-Level Waste (HLW) glass canisters. The effective neutron multiplication factor (k_(eff)) is determined for potential configurations of the waste package during and after an intrusive igneous event.