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Han, Zenghu

Publications and source records attributed to Han, Zenghu.

Using temperature and flow fields to detect gas leakage from canisters containing spent nuclear fuel: Applications to RAMM-TM

The multi-physics STAR-CCM+ code has been used to simulate the temperature and flow fields in canister gas leakage experiments conducted by using a 1/4.5-scale model storage cask. The simulations were conducted at Argonne National Laboratory’s Laboratory Computing Resource Center, utilizing high-performance computing resources. Development of STAR-CCM+ simulation models for the 1/4.5-scale model cask is described herein, followed by validation of the simulation results against experimental data. Canister depressurization and thermal response during gas leakage are discussed, along with analyses of the leakage path and allowable leakage rate. The insights gained from the STAR-CCM+ simulations and leakage analyses will help guide future experiments and actual industry applications of Argonne’s Remote Area Modular Monitoring system for canister surface temperature measurement (RAMM-TM) to enable effective aging management of spent fuel during extended dry storage, as well as help reduce risks to public safety and health and protect the environment.

Canister gas leakage↗

RAMM-TM for detection of gas leakage from canisters containing spent nuclear fuel

Remote Area Modular Monitoring (RAMM) for canister surface temperature measurement (TM), or RAMM-TM, is a novel remote monitoring device for detection of gas leakage based on surface temperature measurements of canisters containing spent nuclear fuel. Here we describe the development of RAMM-TM, as is the demonstration of its performance in detecting canister gas leakage from a small, simulated chloride-induced stress corrosion crack in experiments using a 1/4.5-scale model cask. Both helium and air gas leakage from a canister were detected within hours after the start of the leakage. The change in surface temperatures at the top and bottom of the canister (ΔTBT) during gas leakage (depressurization) triggered automatic alarms, providing a sound basis for early detection of gas leakage from the canister. This methodology would allow consequence management through the implementation of mitigatory actions to continue effective aging management and to reduce risks to public safety, health, and the environment.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

Packaging design for storage, transportation, and disposal of disused radiological sources

A system for encapsulating and storing disused radiological sources in sealed capsules is provided, the system having a basket to removably position capsules relative to each other, the capsules containing the radiological sources; a containment vessel for receiving the basket; and a cask reversibly encapsulating or otherwise housing the containment vessel. Also provided is a method for packaging, transporting and storing disused radiological sources, the method having the steps of transporting sealed capsules containing radiological sources from water pools to baskets; placing the basket in a containment vessel and sealing the vessel with helium backfill; placing the vessel in a cask and reversibly capping the cask; surrounding the cask with personnel a shield and crumple zones to create a construct; and transporting and storing the construct until its final disposal at a geological repository or a deep borehole, all without repackaging of the disused radiological sealed capsules.

Liu, Yung Y.↗

U.S. Department of Energy/Argonne National Laboratory Training Courses for Packaging, Transportation, and Storage of Radioactive Material - 17269

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Packaging Certification Program (PCP), Office of Packaging and Transportation, Office of Environmental Management, has sponsored a suite of training courses that have been conducted since the early 1990s. Of these training courses, Argonne National Laboratory (Argonne) conducts three courses: (1) Quality Assurance (QA) for Radioactive Material Packaging, (2) American Society for Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Pressure Vessel Code for Nuclear Transport and Storage, and (3) Nuclear and Other Radioactive Materials Transport Security. Argonne has been working with the University of Nevada, Reno, to develop an accredited graduate-level program in nuclear packaging. The Graduate Certificate in Nuclear Packaging (GCNP) program provides an applied knowledge-based curriculum in packaging for nuclear and radioactive materials that complements other graduate programs at the University (for additional information, see https://www.unr.edu/degrees/nuclear-packaging/certificate). (authors)

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Groundwork for Universal Canister System Development

The mission of the United States Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management is to complete the safe cleanup of the environmental legacy brought about from five decades of nuclear weapons development and government-sponsored nuclear energy research. Some of the wastes that that must be managed have been identified as good candidates for disposal in a deep borehole in crystalline rock (SNL 2014a). In particular, wastes that can be disposed of in a small package are good candidates for this disposal concept. A canister-based system that can be used for handling these wastes during the disposition process (i.e., storage, transfers, transportation, and disposal) could facilitate the eventual disposal of these wastes. This report provides information for a program plan for developing specifications regarding a canister-based system that facilitates small waste form packaging and disposal and that is integrated with the overall efforts of the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Used Fuel Disposition Campaign's Deep Borehole Field Test. Wastes to be considered as candidates for the universal canister system include capsules containing cesium and strontium currently stored in pools at the Hanford Site, cesium to be processed using elutable or nonelutable resins at the Hanford Site, and calcine waste from Idaho National Laboratory. The initial emphasis will be on disposal of the cesium and strontium capsules in a deep borehole that has been drilled into crystalline rock. Specifications for a universal canister system are derived from operational, performance, and regulatory requirements for storage, transfers, transportation, and disposal of radioactive waste. Agreements between the Department of Energy and the States of Washington and Idaho, as well as the Deep Borehole Field Test plan provide schedule requirements for development of the universal canister system. Future work includes collaboration with the Hanford Site to move the cesium and strontium capsules into dry storage, collaboration with the Deep Borehole Field Test to develop surface handling and emplacement techniques and to develop the waste package design requirements, developing universal canister system design options and concepts of operations, and developing system analysis tools. Areas in which further research and development are needed include material properties and structural integrity, in-package sorbents and fillers, waste form tolerance to heat and postweld stress relief, waste package impact limiters, sensors, cesium mobility under downhole conditions, and the impact of high pressure and high temperature environment on seals design.

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