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A Numerical Model for the Corrosion of Copper Nuclear Fuel Waste Containers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

F. King
Affiliation:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada R0E 1L0.
M. Kolář
Affiliation:
Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Whiteshell Laboratories, Pinawa, Manitoba, Canada R0E 1L0.
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Abstract

A model is presented for the prediction of the long-term corrosion behaviour of Cu nuclear fuel waste containers. The model is based on a kinetic description of the processes involved in the uniform corrosion of Cu in a conceptual Canadian disposal vault. The 1-dimensional, multilayer model accounts for mass-transport, electrochemical and chemical processes and predicts the spatial and temporal variations of the concentrations of various dissolved, precipitated and adsorbed species, as well as the time dependence of the corrosion rate and the corrosion potential (ECORR). The variation of [O2], [Cu(II)] and ECORR with time can also be used to predict the maximum period over which localized corrosion processes, such as pitting or stress corrosion, may occur. Predictions from the model suggest that 25-mm-thick Cu containers will not fail due to uniform corrosion or pitting in periods <106 a.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1996

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