Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Some aspects of nuclear and radiological safety of operating a spent nuclear fuel repository

  • Published:
Atomic Energy Aims and scope

Abstract

A model of an irregular situation in a spent nuclear fuel repository with the introduction of excess reactivity into the system, consisting of containers with spent fuel assemblies and water, is examined. The neutron kinetics of a critical system is calculated taking account of the thermohydraulics of the system. The character of the flow of a short-time self-sustained chain reaction — “neutron burst” — is described. It is found that an excursion of the system in the range of reactivity introduction rates examined will result in heating of the system and self-quenching of the chain reaction by negative reactivity effects with respect to fuel temperature. Intense fluxes of fission neutrons and prompt gamma rays, accompanying a self-sustained chain reaction, are formed in the excursion process. A mixed neutron and gamma ray field near the system considered is investigated.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. MCNPRC (Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code System), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (2000).

  2. V. S. Vnukov and B. G. Ryazanov, “Problems and experience in assuring nuclear safety in storing spent fuel for nuclear power plants,” At. Énerg., 91, No. 4, 263–272 (2001).

    Google Scholar 

  3. V. P. Kryuchkov, E. A. Andreev, and N. N. Khrennikov, Reactor Physics for Workers at Nuclear Power Plants with VVER and RBMK Reactors, Énergoatomizdat, Moscow (2006).

    Google Scholar 

  4. B. A. Dement’ev, Kinetics and Regulation of Nuclear Reactors, Énergoatomizdat, Moscow (1986).

    Google Scholar 

  5. Safety Regulations for Storing and Shipping Nuclear Fuel to Objects Using Atomic Energy NP-061005, Gostekhnadzor, Moscow (2005).

  6. N. S. Bakhvalov, N. P. Zhidkov, and G. M. Kobel’kov, Numerical Methods, Nauka, Moscow (1987).

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  7. Makoto Sobajima and Toshio Fujishiro, “Examination of the destructive forces in the Chernobyl accident based on NSRR experiments,” Nucl. Eng. Design, 106, No. 2, 179–189 (1988).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. W. Ergen, “Normal bowing of fuel rods during transients,” J. Nucl. Energy. Parts A/B Reactor Sci. Tech., 18, No. 10, 537–545 (1964).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. V. M. Gorbachev, Yu. S. Samyatnin, and A. A. Lbov, Handbook of the Interaction of Radiation with Heavy-Element Nuclei and Nuclear Fission, Atomizdat, Moscow (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  10. V. P. Mashkovich and A. V. Kudryavtseva, Handbook of Protection from Ionizing Radiation, Énergoatomizdat, Moscow (1995).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rosenergoatom Company, Moscow, Russia

    V. P. Kryuchkov

  2. All-Russia Research Institute of Nuclear Power Plants, Moscow, Russia

    A. S. Korotkov

Authors
  1. V. P. Kryuchkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. A. S. Korotkov
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

__________

Translated from Atomnaya Énergiya,Vol. 104, No. 3, pp. 141–147, March, 2008.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kryuchkov, V.P., Korotkov, A.S. Some aspects of nuclear and radiological safety of operating a spent nuclear fuel repository. At Energy 104, 182–191 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-008-9014-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10512-008-9014-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation