Corrosion of Nuclear Fuel inside a Failed High-Level Nuclear Waste Container

Abstract

A mixed-potential model to predict the corrosion behaviour of nuclear fuel inside a failed carbon steel-lined copper waste container in a deep geologic repository is briefly described. A number of experiments underway to improve the mechanistic form of the model and to provide the necessary input data are discussed. A primary emphasis is placed on the consequences of the accumulation of corrosion product deposits on the fuel surface on the development of aggressive local chemistries, the cathodic reduction of H₂O₂ and the potential for scavenging of H₂O₂ by the products of carbon steel corrosion (in particular H₂).