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Building Confidence in Radionuclide Transport Models for Fractured Rock: The Nagra/JNC Radionuclide Retardation Programme

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 March 2011

K. Ota ,
W.R. Alexander ,
P.A. Smith ,
A. Möri ,
B. Frieg ,
U. Frick ,
H. Umeki ,
K. Amano ,
M.M. Cowper  and
J.A. Berry
K. Ota
Affiliation:
JNC (Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute), Tono Geoscience Centre, Toki, Gifu 509-5102, Japan. (kunio@tono.jnc.go.jp)
W.R. Alexander
Affiliation:
Nagra (National Co-operative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste), 5430 Wettingen, Switzerland
P.A. Smith
Affiliation:
SAM (Safety Assessment Management Ltd), Bingham, Nottinghamshire NG13 8HQ, UK
A. Möri
Affiliation:
Geotechnical Institute, 3007 Bern, Switzerland
B. Frieg
Affiliation:
Nagra (National Co-operative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste), 5430 Wettingen, Switzerland
U. Frick
Affiliation:
Nagra (National Co-operative for the Disposal of Radioactive Waste), 5430 Wettingen, Switzerland
H. Umeki
Affiliation:
JNC, Tokyo Office, Tokyo 100-8245, Japan
K. Amano
Affiliation:
JNC (Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute), Tono Geoscience Centre, Toki, Gifu 509-5102, Japan. (kunio@tono.jnc.go.jp)
M.M. Cowper
Affiliation:
AEA Technology, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA, UK
J.A. Berry
Affiliation:
AEA Technology, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0RA, UK
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Abstract

The joint Nagra/JNC Radionuclide Retardation Programme has now been ongoing for 15 years with the main aim of direct testing of radionuclide transport models in as realistic a manner as possible. A large programme of field, laboratory and natural analogue studies has been carried out at the Grimsel Test Site in the central Swiss Alps and the Kamaishi In Situ Test Site in north-east Japan. The understanding and modelling of both the processes and the structures influencing radionuclide transport/retardation in fractured host rocks have matured as has the experimental technology, which has contributed to develop confidence in the applicability of the underlying research models in a repository performance assessment. In this paper, the successes and set-backs of this programme are discussed as is the general approach to the thorough testing of the process models and of model assumptions. In addition, a set of key findings is presented, involving discussions on the enhancement of confidence through the program.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 663: Symposium – Scientific Basis for Nuclear Waste management XXIV , 2000 , 1033
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001

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References

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