Two-Stage Repository Development at Yucca Mountain: An Engineering Feasibility Study.

摘要

The Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 requires that the first repository for disposal of high-level radioactive waste be ready to receive waste by January 31, 1998. The preliminary designs of candidates for the first repository include a single waste-handling building constructed in one stage. After considering possible approaches to repository construction, the Department of Energy has proposed in its draft Mission Plan to construct the first repository in two steps to increase confidence in meeting the 1998 deadline. Therefore, the Department of Energy has requested the preparation of this engineering study to verify the validity of the two-stage approach to repository construction. This approach involves concurrent construction of two waste-handling buildings. The first would be completed in time to accept the equivalent of 400 MTU/y of waste by January 31, 1998. It would operate for 5 y, during which time construction of a full-capacity, 3000-MTU/y waste-handling building would be completed. The design includes six accesses to the underground facility: four vertical shafts and two ramps. The principal conclusion derived from this study is that two-stage repository construction can allow receipt and disposal of the 400 MTU/y of waste by January 31, 1998. Four alternate concepts have been explored to determine whether savings in costs could be accomplished. All four alternate concepts appear technically feasible and are potentially more cost effective than the reference approach. (ERA citation 11:050135)