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Salt Disposal of Heat-Generating Nuclear Waste

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WIPP FEP ID — FEP Name — Description<br />

W43—Convection—Temperature differentials in the repository could lead to<br />

convection cells.<br />

W44—Degradation <strong>of</strong> Organic Material—Microbial breakdown <strong>of</strong> cellulosic<br />

material in the waste will generate gas.<br />

W45—Effects <strong>of</strong> Temperature on Microbial Gas Generation—Temperature<br />

rises could affect the rate <strong>of</strong> microbial gas generation.<br />

W48—Effects <strong>of</strong> Bi<strong>of</strong>ilms on Microbial Gas Generation—Bi<strong>of</strong>ilms serve to<br />

maintain optimum conditions for microbial populations and affect gas<br />

generation rates.<br />

W46—Effects <strong>of</strong> Pressure on Microbial Gas Generation—Increases in gas<br />

pressure could affect microbial populations and gas generation rates.<br />

W47—Effects <strong>of</strong> Radiation on Microbial Gas Generation—Radiation could<br />

affect microbial populations and, therefore, gas generation rates.<br />

W49—Gases from Metal Corrosion—Anoxic corrosion <strong>of</strong> steel will produce<br />

hydrogen.<br />

W51—Chemical Effects <strong>of</strong> Corrosion—Corrosion reactions will lower the<br />

oxidation state <strong>of</strong> brines and affect gas generation rates.<br />

W50—Galvanic Coupling (within the Repository)—Potential gradients<br />

between metals could affect corrosion rates.<br />

W52—Radiolysis <strong>of</strong> Brine—Alpha particles from decay <strong>of</strong> plutonium can split<br />

water molecules to form hydrogen and oxygen.<br />

W53—Radiolysis <strong>of</strong> Cellulose—Alpha particles from decay <strong>of</strong> plutonium can<br />

split cellulose molecules and affect gas generation rates.<br />

W54—Helium Gas Production—Reduction <strong>of</strong> alpha particles emitted from the<br />

waste will form helium.<br />

W55—Radioactive Gases—Radon will form from decay <strong>of</strong> plutonium. Carbon<br />

dioxide and methane may contain radioactive 14 C.<br />

W56—Speciation—Speciation is the form in which elements occur under<br />

particular conditions. This form controls mobility and the reactions that<br />

are likely to occur.<br />

W57—Kinetics <strong>of</strong> Speciation—Reaction kinetics control the rate at which<br />

particular reactions occur thereby dictating which reactions are prevalent<br />

in nonequilibrium systems.<br />

W58—Dissolution <strong>of</strong> <strong>Waste</strong>—Dissolution <strong>of</strong> waste controls the concentrations<br />

<strong>of</strong> radionuclides in brines and groundwaters.<br />

W59—Precipitation <strong>of</strong> Secondary Minerals—Precipitation <strong>of</strong> secondary<br />

minerals could affect the concentrations <strong>of</strong> radionuclides in brines and<br />

groundwaters.<br />

W60—Kinetics <strong>of</strong> Precipitation and Dissolution—The rates <strong>of</strong> dissolution and<br />

precipitation reactions could affect radionuclide concentrations.<br />

W61—Actinide Sorption—Actinides may accumulate at the interface between a<br />

solid and a solution. This affects the rate <strong>of</strong> transport <strong>of</strong> actinides in brines<br />

and groundwaters.<br />

WIPP Screening Classification<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Included in undisturbed performance scenarios<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Included in undisturbed performance scenarios<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Included in undisturbed performance scenarios<br />

in disposal rooms and Culebra<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

(beneficial) in cementitious seals<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

elsewhere<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Included in undisturbed performance scenarios<br />

Screened out based on low consequence–<br />

Beneficial<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

Included in undisturbed performance scenarios<br />

in the Culebra and Dewey Lake<br />

Screened out based on low consequence<br />

(beneficial) in the disposal room, shaft seals,<br />

panel closures, and other geologic units<br />

92

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