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Materials Options and Corrosion-Related Considerations in the Design of Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposal Canisters for a Deep Geological Repository in Opalinus Clay

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Abstract

Opalinus Clay has been selected as a host rock for a future high-level waste deep geological repository in Switzerland, whereas concepts for spent fuel and high-level waste disposal canisters are currently under development. The development of disposal canisters is done with respect to the expected evolution of the near-field conditions in the repository and requirements set by long-term safety, the handling concept, and manufacturing. A wide range of issues such as manufacturing, materials options, corrosion, closing weld, postweld heat treatment, structural performance, and inspection are considered. A detailed design study has shown that a carbon steel concept may be suitable for a geological repository in Opalinus Clay. Additionally, there are good prospects for using carbon steel design concepts as a substrate for copper coatings, which would largely eliminate gas production as an issue in long-term safety and would avoid the need of postweld heat treatment of steel. In parallel, several possible materials and design options are explored and their feasibility is considered through risk-assessment criteria.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nagra, National Cooperative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste, Hardstrasse 73, Postfach 280, 5430, Wettingen, Switzerland

    N. Diomidis & L. H. Johnson

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  1. N. Diomidis
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  2. L. H. Johnson
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Correspondence to N. Diomidis.

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Diomidis, N., Johnson, L.H. Materials Options and Corrosion-Related Considerations in the Design of Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposal Canisters for a Deep Geological Repository in Opalinus Clay. JOM 66, 461–470 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-014-0876-4

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