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Analysis of gas samples collected from the DOE high burn-up demonstration cask

International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management 2019, IHLRWM 2019

Bryan, Charles R.; Jarek, Russell L.; Flores, Christopher; Leonard, Elliott J.

The DOE and industry collaborators have initiated the high burn-up demonstration project to evaluate the effects of drying and long-term dry storage on high burn-up fuel. Fuel was transferred to a dry storage cask, which was then dried using standard industry vacuum-drying techniques and placed on a storage pad to be opened and the fuel examined in 10 years. Helium fill gas samples were collected 5 hours, 5 days, and 12 days after closure. The samples were analyzed for fission gases (85Kr) as an indicator of damaged or leaking rods, and then analyzed to determine water content and concentrations of other trace gases. Gamma-ray spectroscopy found no detectible 85Kr. Sample water contents proved difficult to measure, requiring heating to desorb water from the inner surface of the sampling bottles. Final results indicated that water in the cask gas phase built up over 12 days to 17,400 ppmv ±10%, equivalent to ∼100 ml of water within the cask gas phase. Trace gases were measured by direct gas mass spectrometry. Carbon dioxide built up over two weeks to 930 ppmv, likely due to breakdown of hydrocarbon contaminants (possibly vacuum pump oil) in the cask. Hydrogen built up to nearly 500 ppmv. and may be attributable to water radiolysis and/or to metal corrosion in the cask.

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TYPE Conference Poster YEAR 2019
ScopusOSTI

Overview of Total System Model Used for the 2008 Performance Assessment for the Proposed High-Level Radioactive Waste Repository at Yucca Mountain Nevada

Proposed for publication in Reliability Engineering and System Safety.

Hansen, Clifford H.; Olszewska-Wasiolek, Maryla A.; Bryan, Charles R.; Hardin, Ernest H.; Jarek, Russell L.; Mariner, Paul M.; Mattie, Patrick D.; Sassani, David C.; Sevougian, Stephen D.; Stein, Joshua S.

Abstract not provided.

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TYPE Journal Article YEAR 2013
OSTI

Evaluation of the corrosivity of dust deposited on waste packages at Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings

Bryan, Charles R.; Jarek, Russell L.; Wolery, Thomas; Shields, David; Sutton, Mark; Hardin, Ernest; Barr, Deborah

Potentially corrosive brines can form during post-closure by deliquescence of salt minerals in dust deposited on the surface of waste packages at Yucca Mountain during operations and the pre-closure ventilation period. Although thermodynamic modeling and experimental studies of brine deliquescence indicates that brines are likely to form, they will be nitrate-rich and non-corrosive. Processes that modify the brines following deliquescence are beneficial with respect to inhibition of corrosion. For example, acid degassing (HCl, HNO3) could dry out brines, but kinetic limitations are likely to limit the effect to increasing their passivity by raising the pH and increasing the NO3/Cl ratio. Predicted dust quantities and maximum brine volumes on the waste package surface are small, and physical isolation of salt minerals in the dust may inhibit formation of eutectic brines and decrease brine volumes. If brines do contact the WP surface, small droplet volumes and layer thicknesses do not support development of diffusive gradients necessary for formation on separate anodic-cathodic zones required for localized corrosion. Finally, should localized corrosion initiate, corrosion product buildup will stifle corrosion, by limiting oxygen access to the metal surface, by capillary retention of brine in corrosion product porosity, or by consumption of brine components (Cl-). © 2006 Materials Research Society.

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TYPE Conference YEAR 2006
ScopusOSTI
Results 1–25 of 28
Results 1–25 of 28