Scope for thermal dimensioning of disposal facilities for high-level radioactive waste and spent fuel

The objective of final disposal of high-level radioactive waste in deep geological formations is to isolate the radionuclides from the accessible biosphere for a sufficient period of time. To achieve this, both the functionality and the integrity of the disposal system must be assured under ambient conditions that depend both on the geological environment and on engineering choices taken in the planning of the facility. In particular, the amplitude of the transient temperature increase caused by the release of nuclear decay heat in the disposal area is scalable through design strategies and thermal dimensioning.