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Radionuclide release from high-level nuclear-waste packages

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Abstract

The engineered barrier subsystem (EBS) in an important component in limiting the release of radionuclides from a geologic repository for disposal of high-level nuclear waste. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss the key processes that affect the release of radionuclides from nuclear waste forms and migration of these radionuclides through the nuclear-waste packages of the EBS to the geologic setting (i.e., far-field). Previous studies of release have focused on laboratory testing and modelling of the waste-form dissolution (“leaching”). Mass-transfer analyses, using realistic chemical-reaction-rate boundary conditions, confirm that radionuclide release from the EBS will be controlled by solubilitylimited, mass transport, rather than by waste-form “leaching”. Based on these well-established and laboratory-validated models, key data necessary for reliable predictions of the long-term performance of an EBS are identified. These data include the local chemistry at the wasteform surface, radionuclide solubilities and sorption behavior in contact with engineered materials, and characteristics of radionuclide-bearing colloids.

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  1. Pacific Northwest Laboratory, 99352, Richland, WA, (USA)

    M. J. Apted

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  1. M. J. Apted
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Apted, M.J. Radionuclide release from high-level nuclear-waste packages. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles 142, 321–330 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02039471

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02039471

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