Monte Carlo calculations of heating and reaction rates in a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel
Title: Monte Carlo calculations of heating and reaction rates in a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel
DNr: SNIC 2021/5-299
Project Type: SNIC Medium Compute
Principal Investigator: Peter Jansson <peter.jansson@foi.se>
Affiliation: Uppsala universitet
Duration: 2021-07-01 – 2022-07-01
Classification: 10301
Keywords:

Abstract

In the deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel of the type that is being planned for in Sweden and Finland, the KBS-3 repository, the radiation from the nuclear fuel will produce heating of, and nuclear reactions in, both the engineered and natural barriers in the system. When optimizing the layout of the repository while simultaneously considering the safety aspects of its design, it is paramount to have an understanding of the this heating and nuclear reaction rates. In this project, these parameters will be calculated in a model of the KBS-3 system using Monte Carlo type radiation transport calculations. The results of the project are expected to be of interest to a wide range of research communities, state authorities and nuclear waste management organisations involved in the management of used nuclear fuel.