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Supplement to the Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology
Supplement to the Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology
Screening Analysis of Criticality Features, Events, and Processes for License Application
Screening Analysis of Criticality Features, Events, and Processes for License Application
Initial Waste Package Probabilistic Criticality Analysis: Multi-Purpose Canister With Disposal Container (TBV)
Initial Waste Package Probabilistic Criticality Analysis: Multi-Purpose Canister With Disposal Container (TBV)
This analysis is prepared by the Mined Geologic Disposal System (MGDS) Waste Package Development Department (WPDD) to provide an assessment of the present waste package design from a criticality risk standpoint. The specific objectives of this initial analysis are to:
1. Establish a process for determining the probability of waste package criticality as a function of time (in terms of a cumulative distribution function, probability distribution function, or expected number of criticalities in a specified time interval) for various waste package concepts;
Abstraction of Drift Seepage
Abstraction of Drift Seepage
This model report documents the abstraction of drift seepage, conducted to provide seepage relevant parameters and their probability distributions for use in Total System Performance Assessment for License Application (TSPA-LA). Drift seepage refers to the flow of liquid water into waste emplacement drifts.
Calculation of Upper Subcritical Limits for Nuclear Criticality in a Repository
Calculation of Upper Subcritical Limits for Nuclear Criticality in a Repository
The purpose of this document is to present the methodology to be used for development of the Subcritical Limit (SL) for post closure conditions for the Yucca Mountain repository. The SL is a value based on a set of benchmark criticality multiplier, keff> results that are outputs of the MCNP calculation method. This SL accounts for calculational biases and associated uncertainties resulting from the use of MCNP as the method of assessing kerr·
Geochemistry Model Validation Report: Material Degradation and Release Model
Geochemistry Model Validation Report: Material Degradation and Release Model
The purpose of the material degradation and release (MDR) model is to predict the fate of the waste package materials, specifically the retention or mobilization of the radionuclides and the neutron-absorbing material as a function of time after the breach of a waste package during the 10,000 years after repository closure. The output of this model is used directly to assess the potential for a criticality event inside the waste package due to the retention of the radionuclides combined with a loss of the neutron-absorbing material.
Evaluation of Waste Stream Receipt Scenarios for Repository Loading
Evaluation of Waste Stream Receipt Scenarios for Repository Loading
The purpose of this calculation is to simulate the processing of an incoming waste stream into waste packages, simulating the required aging as applicable, and the emplacement of the waste packages into the Yucca Mountain repository.
The Potential of Using Commercial Duel Purpose Canisters for Direct Disposal
The Potential of Using Commercial Duel Purpose Canisters for Direct Disposal
This report evaluates the potential for directly disposing of licensed commercial Dual Purpose
Canisters (DPCs) inside waste package overpacks without reopening. The evaluation considers
the principal features of the DPC designs that have been licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) as these relate to the current designs of waste packages and as they relate to
disposability in the repository. Where DPC features appear to compromise future disposability,
those changes that would improve prospective disposability are identified.
Initial Radionuclide Inventories
Initial Radionuclide Inventories
The purpose of this analysis is to provide an initial radionuclide inventory (in grams per waste package) and associated uncertainty distributions for use in the Total System Performance Assessment for the License Application (TSPA-LA) in support of the license application for the repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. This document is intended for use in postclosure analysis only.
Drift Scale THM Model
Drift Scale THM Model
This model report documents the drift scale coupled thermal-hydrological-mechanical (THM) processes model development and presents simulations of the THM behavior in fractured rock close to emplacement drifts. The modeling and analyses are used to evaluate the impact of THM processes on permeability and flow in the near-field of the emplacement drifts.
Thermal Management Flexibility Analysis
Thermal Management Flexibility Analysis
The purpose of this report is to demonstrate that postclosure temperature limits can be met, and certain thermal characteristics of the postclosure thermal reference case can be preserved, with alternative thermal loading schemes. The analysis considers certain variations from the base case.waste stream, the predicted postclosure temperatures that develop within the rock mass due to these waste stream variations, and then compares these temperatures to postclosure temperature limits.
Waste Packages and Source Terms for the Commercial 1999 Design Basis Waste Streams
Waste Packages and Source Terms for the Commercial 1999 Design Basis Waste Streams
This calculation is prepared by the Monitored Geologic Repository Waste Package Requirements & Integration Department. The purpose of this calculation is to compile source term and commercial waste stream information for use in the analysis of waste package (WP) designs for commercial fuel. Information presented will consist of the number of WPs, source terms, metric tons of uranium, and the average characteristics of assemblies to be placed in each WP design. The source terms provide thermal output, radiation sources, and radionuclide inventories.
Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Reactor Fuel Degraded Criticality Calculations: Intact SNF Canister
Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) Reactor Fuel Degraded Criticality Calculations: Intact SNF Canister
The purpose of these calculations is to characterize the criticality safety concerns for the storage of Fast Flux Test Facility (FFTF) nuclear fuel in a Department of Energy spent nuclear fuel (DOE SNF) canister in a co-disposal waste package. These results will be used to support the analysis that will be done to demonstrate concept viability related to use in the Monitored Geologic Repository (MGR) environment.
Initial Waste Package Probabilistic Criticality Analysis: Uncanistered Fuel
Initial Waste Package Probabilistic Criticality Analysis: Uncanistered Fuel
This analysis is prepared by the Mined Geologic Disposal System (MGDS) Waste Package Development Department (WPDD) to provide an assessment of the present waste package design from a criticality risk standpoint. The specific objectives of this initial analysis are to:
1. Establish a process for determining the probability of waste package criticality as a function of time (in terms of a cumulative distribution function, probability distribution function, or expected number of criticalities in a specified time interval) for various waste package concepts;
Configuration Model Generator
Configuration Model Generator
The Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology Topical Reporta prescribes an approach to the methodology for performing postclosure criticality analyses within the monitored geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. An essential component of the methodology is the Configuration Generator Model for In-Package Criticality that provides a tool to evaluate the probabilities of degraded configurations achieving a critical state.
Thermal Loading Study of the TAD Waste Package
Thermal Loading Study of the TAD Waste Package
The objective of this calculation is to evaluate the peak temperatures due to thermal loading and boundary conditions of the TAD Waste Package design under nominal Monitored Geologic Repository conditions.
Aging and Phase Stability of Waste Package Outer Barrier
Aging and Phase Stability of Waste Package Outer Barrier
This report was prepared in accordance with Technical Work Plan for: Regulatory Integration Modeling and Analysis of the Waste Form and Waste Package (BSC 2004 [DIRS 171583]). This report provides information on the phase stability of Alloy 221, the current waste package outer barrier material. The goal of this model is to determine whether the single-phase solid solution is stable under repository conditions and, if not, how fast other phases may precipitate.
Geochemistry Model Validation Report: External Accumulation Model
Geochemistry Model Validation Report: External Accumulation Model
The purpose of this report is to document and validate the external accumulation model that predicts accumulation of fissile materials in the invert, fractures and lithophysae in the rock beneath a degrading waste package containing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in the monitored geologic repository at Yucca Mountain. (Lithophysae are hollow, bubblelike structures in the rock composed of concentric shells of finely crystalline alkali feldspar, quartz, and other materials (Bates and Jackson 1984 [DIRS 128109], p.
Isotopic Model for Commercial SNF Burnup Credit
Isotopic Model for Commercial SNF Burnup Credit
Disposal Criticality Analysis Methodology Topical Report describes a methodology for performing postclosure criticality analyses within the repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada. An important component of the postclosure criticality analysis is the calculation of conservative isotopic concentrations for spent nuclear fuel. This report documents the isotopic calculation methodology. The isotopic calculation methodology is shown to be conservative based upon current data for pressurized water reactor and boiling water reactor spent nuclear fuel.
Design Evolution Study: Thermal Operating Methodology
Design Evolution Study: Thermal Operating Methodology
This study provides results supporting the conclusion that the repository can be operated over a varying range of thermal modes and therefore temperatures. In particular, this work focused on limiting the peak, postclosure waste package surface temperature to less than 85 degrees Celsius, a possible limit due to corrosion considerations. These operating modes were compared by varying the waste package in drift spacing (0.1-2.83 meters), drift pitch (drift spacing centerline to centerline of 40-120 meters), ventilation duration (75-300 years), and ventilation efficiency (50-80%).
Multiscale Thermohydrologic Model
Multiscale Thermohydrologic Model
The intended purpose of the multiscale thermohydrologic model (MSTHM) is to predict the possible range of thermal-hydrologic conditions, resulting from uncertainty and variability, in the repository emplacement drifts, including the invert, and in the adjoining host rock for the repository at Yucca Mountain. The goal of the MSTHM is to predict a reasonable range of possible thermal-hydrologic conditions within the emplacement drift.
The Effect of Half-life and Branching Fraction Uncertainties on the Effective Neutron Multiplication Factor
The Effect of Half-life and Branching Fraction Uncertainties on the Effective Neutron Multiplication Factor
This calculation demonstrates how uncertainties in half-life and branching fraction affect postclosure isotopic concentrations and the quantification of those effects in terms of reactivity.
Evaluation of Codisposal Viability for Aluminum-Clad DOE-Owned Spent Fuel: Phase I Intact Codisposal Canister
Evaluation of Codisposal Viability for Aluminum-Clad DOE-Owned Spent Fuel: Phase I Intact Codisposal Canister
This evaluation is prepared by the Mined Geologic Disposal System (MGDS) Waste Package Development Department (WPDD) to provide analyses of disposal of aluminum (AI)-based Department of Energy-owned research reactor spent nuclear fuel (DOE-SNF) in a codisposal waste package with five canisters of high-level waste (HLW). The analysis was performed in sufficient detail to establish the technical viability of the Al-based DOE-SNF codisposal canister option.
Probability of a PWR Uncanistered Fuel Waste Package Postclosure Criticality
Probability of a PWR Uncanistered Fuel Waste Package Postclosure Criticality
The purpose of this calculation is to estimate the probability of criticality in a pressurized water reactor (PWR) uncanistered fuel waste package during the postclosure phase of the repository as a function of various waste package material, loading, and environmental parameters. Parameterization on the upper subcritical limit that is used to define the threshold for criticality will also be performed. The possibility of waste package misload due to human or equipment error during preclosure is also considered in estimating the postclosure criticality probability.