Performance Assessment with Realistic Data for a Hypothetical High-Level Waste Repository in A Salt Dome

Abstract

In the frame of the European R&D program on “Management and Storage of Radioactive Waste” assessments for HLW repositories in different geological formations have been performed with realistic data. Part of this action was the discussion of altered evolution scenarios for a repository in a salt dome.

For the considered HLW repository a combined altered evolution scenario with brine intrusion via the main anhydrite vein and brine intrusion from undetected brine pockets has been considered. For this scenario limited intrusions of brine at very early times are assumed, which inundate boreholes and parts of the repository. Radionuclides are leached out of the waste forms and contaminate the brine. At later times brine intrusion via the main anhydrite is assumed to take place. Under certain conditions contact between both amounts of brine is possible, and contaminated brine reaches the overburden. Here, the radionuclides are swept away with the groundwater flow.

Decisive for the transport of radionuclides from the repository to the geosphere are several interacting effects (e.g. convergence, permeability, pressure) which determine the movement of brine through the drifts and seal-ings. For the parameters involved in the modelling of physical and chemical effects as realistic data as available (best estimate) were used. Local sensitivity studies show that with the best estimate values for some parameters the combined intrusion scenario is just at the transition point between release and no release.

Results are obtained showing time histories for the decrease of the voids in the repository, release rates for relevant nuclides injected into the overburden, and for dose rates. Dependences on the model parameters are discussed and most relevant parameters are identified.