Thermal Modelling of a Mark II Container
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Abstract
This paper describes the analysis methods, assumptions and results obtained in calculations performed to assess fuel temperatures inside a Mark II used fuel container. The Mark II container is designed to hold 48 used fuel bundles. A variety of cases is considered, including: used fuel container in air, used fuel container in a bentonite buffer box, and used fuel container in the underground repository.
Separate analyses have been performed for repositories hosted in sedimentary and crystalline rock; however, because fuel temperatures are essentially the same in both cases only the sedimentary rock analysis is described. Several sensitivity cases have also been examined to determine the effect of key parameters.
The overall conclusion is that the maximum fuel temperature for fuel with a burnup of 280 MWh/kgU and a 30 year decay time will be less than 60°C during handling of the container, about 75°C during handling of buffer box, and about 114°C after placement in the repository.
Separate analyses have been performed for repositories hosted in sedimentary and crystalline rock; however, because fuel temperatures are essentially the same in both cases only the sedimentary rock analysis is described. Several sensitivity cases have also been examined to determine the effect of key parameters.
The overall conclusion is that the maximum fuel temperature for fuel with a burnup of 280 MWh/kgU and a 30 year decay time will be less than 60°C during handling of the container, about 75°C during handling of buffer box, and about 114°C after placement in the repository.
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