Description
The heat output of the various types of SF (BWR and PWR types of UO2, and also MOX) as a function of burnup varies considerably. Canisters may contain UO2 fuel (e.g. 4 BWR or 9 PWR) or may contain 1 MOX assembly and 3 UO2 assemblies. The number, type and age of assemblies, as well as the burnup, which averages 48 GWd/t, determine the heat output of a canister. Administrative controls on the mixing of fuels (including mixing MOX fuel elements with UO2 fuel elements) and the age of the fuel at disposal will ensure that the average heat output of a canister does not exceed 1500 W. Heat output is considered in repository design in order to ensure that thermal criteria, especially for bentonite, are met.
OPA Category
Category as used in the OPA assessment
OPA Number
Number as used in the OPA assessment
Waste Relevance
Classes of waste to which this FEP is relevant
NEA V1 IFEP Reference(s)
Related IFEPs from the NEA V1 IFEP list from 1999