Overview of Canada's Plan for the Long-Term Management of Used Nuclear Fuel - 19537

In June 2007, the Government of Canada approved the Nuclear Waste Management Organisation's (NWMO) recommended Adaptive Phased Management (APM) approach for the long-term management of Canada's used nuclear fuel. As per this approach, used nuclear fuel will be isolated and contained in a centralized Deep Geological Repository (DGR) located in a stable crystalline or sedimentary rock formation at a nominal depth of 500 metres below ground surface. The DGR concept contains multiple barriers to safely contain and isolate the used nuclear fuel over the long-term. The used nuclear fuel bundles will be encapsulated in a copper-coated steel Used Fuel Container (UFC) and pre-packaged in a bentonite clay buffer box above ground. The UFC and bentonite clay buffer box assemblies will then be emplaced in excavated tunnel openings and sealed with clay-based backfill material and room seals, which completes the primary Engineered Barrier System (EBS). Since 2011, the NWMO has executed a design-development program to validate the design and manufacturing technologies for the EBS. Currently, the NWMO are executing a proof test program for the EBS for the purpose of demonstrating serial production. As the prototypes are produced, they will be subject to full-scale in-room emplacement trials within a custom-built above-ground mock emplacement room. The proof test program will be executed using APM reference designs, materials, processes, and procedures. An overview of this program is discussed. (authors)