Progress in the Canadian Nuclear Fuel Waste Management Program

Abstract

Progress is highlighted in the Canadian program to assess the concept of disposal of nuclear fuel waste in plutonic rock. Methods developed to characterize and describe groundwater flow systems and the thermomechanical behaviour of excavated openings are outlined, and some typical applications of the methods in the field are given to demonstrate their credibility. Also outlined is the current understanding of the behaviour of fuel, glass and glass-ceramic waste forms in saline groundwaters; the reference design for a used-fuel container; and the status of the performance assessment methodology.