Room at the mountain: Estimated maximum amounts of commercial spent nuclear fuel capable of disposal in a Yucca Mountain repository

John H. Kessler, Michael J. Apted, Zhou Wei, John Kemeny, Fraser King, Alan M. Ross, Benjamen Ross, Franklin W. Schwartz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to present an initial analysis of the maximum amount of commercial spent nuclear fuel (CSNF) that could be emplaced into a geological repository at Yucca Mountain. This analysis identifies and uses programmatic, material, and geological constraints and factors that affect this estimation of maximum amount of CSNF for disposal. The conclusion of this initial analysis is that the current legislative limit on Yucca Mountain disposal capacity, 63,000 MTHM of CSNF, is a small fraction of the available physical capacity of the Yucca Mountain system assuming the current high-temperature operating mode (HTOM) design. EPRI is confident that at least four times the legislative limit for CSNF (-260,000 MTHM) can be emplaced in the Yucca Mountain system. It is possible that with additional site characterization, upwards of nine times the legislative limit (-570,000 MTHM) could be emplaced.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationFourteenth International Conference on Nuclear Engineering 2006, ICONE 14
StatePublished - 2006
EventFourteenth International Conference on Nuclear Engineering 2006, ICONE 14 - Miami, FL, United States
Duration: Jul 17 2006Jul 20 2006

Publication series

NameInternational Conference on Nuclear Engineering, Proceedings, ICONE
Volume2006

Other

OtherFourteenth International Conference on Nuclear Engineering 2006, ICONE 14
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMiami, FL
Period7/17/067/20/06

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear Energy and Engineering

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