Grant: Alliance Grants

Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is responsible for the safe and long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel. Consistent with international best practice, Canada has opted for using a deep geological repository (DGR) that relies on a multibarrier system to safely store the used nuclear fuels. The multibarrier system consists of copper-coated used fuel containers (UFCs) being placed within a highly compacted bentonite (HCB) and gapfill surrounded by natural host rock. This multibarrier system protects the natural environment from potential adverse effects that would occur if the UFCs were breached. As the design life for these systems far exceeds the timescales of practical experimentation, there is a need for robust system of experiments and numerical models to increase the confidence in the long-term performance of barriers. The partnership outlined in this proposal brings researchers together that have expertise in subsurface systems, and NWMO scientists, to investigate anticipated processes that could result in UFC corrosion. The outcome of this project will result in a solid understanding of the variables that influence UFC corrosion. Additionally, as many countries around the world are planning on using DGRs to house their used nuclear fuel, the results of the proposed project would be impactful to multiple users, including NWMO and other nuclear agencies, and will position Canada as leader in multicomponent modelling and UFC corrosion prediction.