Search NASA⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Morris, Edgar

Publications and source records attributed to Morris, Edgar.

4 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2014

Clay Generic Disposal System Model - Sensitivity Analysis for 32 PWR Assembly Canisters (+2 associated model files).

The Used Fuel Disposition Campaign (UFDC), as part of the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy’s (DOE-NE) Fuel Cycle Technology program (FCT) is investigating the disposal of high level radioactive waste (HLW) and spent nuclear fuela (SNF) in a variety of geologic media. The feasibility of disposing SNF and HLW in clay media has been investigated and has been shown to be promising [Ref. 1]. In addition the disposal of these wastes in clay media is being investigated in Belgium, France, and Switzerland. Thus, Argillaceous media is one of the environments being considered by UFDC. As identified by researchers at Sandia National Laboratory, potentially suitable formations that may exist in the U.S. include mudstone, clay, shale, and argillite formations [Ref. 1]. These formations encompass a broad range of material properties. In this report, reference to clay media is intended to cover the full range of material properties. This report presents the status of the development of a simulation model for evaluating the performance of generic clay media. The clay Generic Disposal System Model (GDSM) repository performance simulation tool has been developed with the flexibility to evaluate not only different properties, but different waste streams/forms and different repository designs and engineered barrier configurations/ materials that could be used to dispose of these wastes.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2013

Used Fuel Management System Interface Analyses - 13578

Preliminary system-level analyses of the interfaces between at-reactor used fuel management, consolidated storage facilities, and disposal facilities, along with the development of supporting logistics simulation tools, have been initiated to provide the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and other stakeholders with information regarding the various alternatives for managing used nuclear fuel (UNF) generated by the current fleet of light water reactors operating in the United States. An important UNF management system interface consideration is the need for ultimate disposal of UNF assemblies contained in waste packages that are sized to be compatible with different geologic media. Thermal analyses indicate that waste package sizes for the geologic media under consideration by the Used Fuel Disposition Campaign may be significantly smaller than the canisters being used for on-site dry storage by the nuclear utilities. Therefore, at some point along the UNF disposition pathway, there could be a need to repackage fuel assemblies already loaded and being loaded into the dry storage canisters currently in use. The implications of where and when the packaging or repackaging of commercial UNF will occur are key questions being addressed in this evaluation. The analysis demonstrated that thermal considerations will have a major impact on the operation of the system and that acceptance priority, rates, and facility start dates have significant system implications. (authors)

11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS↗
DOE OSTI2012

Used Fuel Management System Architecture Evaluation, Fiscal Year 2012

In the 1990s the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) completed a number of system analyses investigating consolidated interim storage as a part of the waste management solution. These analyses are “dated” and do not reflect the present situation regarding at-reactor used nuclear fuel (UNF) management, alternatives for away from reactor management of used nuclear fuel, and alternatives for the ultimate disposal of UNF. The Blue Ribbon Commission for America’s Nuclear Future and the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board have also pointed out the need for such analyses. The Used Fuel Management System Architecture Evaluation effort provides the DOE and others with information regarding the various alternatives for managing UNF generated by the current fleet of light water reactors operating in the U.S. The objectives are to: • Provide quantitative information with respect to a broad range of UNF management alternatives and considerations • Develop an integrated approach to evaluating storage, transportation, and disposal options, with emphasis on flexibility • Evaluate impacts of storage choices on UNF storage, handling, and disposal options • Identify alternative strategies and evaluate with respect to cost and flexibility • Consider a broad range of factors including repository emplacement capability, thermal constraints, repackaging needs, storage and transportation alternatives, and impacts on utility operations. In Fiscal Year 2012 system-level analyses of the overall interface between at-reactor, consolidated storage, and ultimate disposition along with the development of supporting logistic simulation tools were initiated. The objective of the Fiscal Year 2012 effort was two-fold: 1) develop methodologies, approaches, and tools (capability development), and 2) evaluate select UNF disposition scenarios (capability demonstration). The scenarios chosen for evaluation and the assumptions, inputs, and boundary conditions selected allowed for an initial set of analyses to gain insight regarding integrated system dynamics and an understanding of trends. This initial set of analyses also points to where additional system architecture analyses should focus.

Nutt, Mark↗