Dual-Purpose Canister Filling Demonstration Project Progress Report

Bret D. Brickner, Jennifer Meszaros, Venugopal Koikal Varma, Adrian Sabau, Emilian L. Popov, Eliott J. Fountain, Fayaz Rasheed, Kaushik Banerjee, Nesrin Ozgan Cetiner

Research output: Book/ReportCommissioned report

Abstract

This report discusses the progress made at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to support direct disposal of dual-purpose canisters (DPCs). Acceptable filler materials should demonstrate that the probability of criticality in DPCs during the disposal timeframe is below the probability threshold for inclusion in a repository performance assessment. This effort, which will ultimately result in a full-scale demonstration, includes computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling developed to gauge the filling process and to uncover any unforeseen issues. Filling simulations of the lower region (mouse holes) of a prototypic DPC show successfully simulate filling of the void space inside the canister and a smooth, even progression of the liquid level. Flow through a pipe that is similar to the drainpipe in a DPC is being investigated separately to gain valuable insight of the flow regime inside a pipe. Three physical experiments validating the computational filling model have been completed using surrogate liquids. One experiment using molten metal has been completed and the results demonstrate adequate filling of the canister void spaces. Although the scale experiment observed some void spaces related to shrinkage of the metal during cooling, the volume filled is expected to be sufficient to meet the purpose of moderator exclusion. Further experiments will scale up the geometry, moving towards a full-sized DPC demonstration, and provide a more rigorous investigation of candidate filler materials.
Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationUnited States
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021

Keywords

  • 12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
  • 11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
  • 42 ENGINEERING

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