Evaluating the Potential Impact of Using the Transport, Aging and Disposal (TAD) Canister on Yucca Mountain Pre-Closure Operations

The development and preliminary use of an integrated model to explore the impact of various operational scenarios of the pre-closure waste management system of Yucca Mountain (YM) is described. The capabilities of the model are illustrated by applying it to a simplified operational scenario using Transport, Aging, and Disposal (TAD) Canisters. The application uses existing data on spent nuclear fuel to model the effect on above ground aging at YM by varying four parameters: (1) utility loading behavior, (2) thermal limit for transportation casks, (3) thermal limit for emplacement, and (4) emplacement capacity at YM. Results show that the thermal limit for emplacement is the most important parameter with respect to above ground aging demands at YM. Transportation heat limit is also important, but less so if the capacity of YM is expanded or if older fuel is sent first. Easing the constraint of the emplacement limit, if feasible, would be a preferable method of reducing aging demands, especially under an expanded emplacement capacity. Consequently, there may be incentive for Department of Energy (DOE) to either specify a lower transportation limit or a higher emplacement limit if it wishes to reduce the potential demands on the Aging Facility at YM. (authors)