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Fusion Science and Technology
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WIPP: Lessons in transportation safety
As part of a future consent-based approach by the federal government to site new deep geologic repositories for nuclear waste, local communities and states that are considering hosting such facilities are sure to have many questions. Currently, the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico is the only example of such a repository in operation, and it offers the opportunity for state and local officials to visit and judge for themselves the risks and benefits of hosting a similar facility. But its history can also provide lessons for these officials, particularly the political process leading up to the opening of WIPP, the safety of WIPP operations and transportation of waste from generator facilities to the site, and the economic impacts the project has had on the local area of Carlsbad, as well as the rest of the state of New Mexico.
B. A. Pint, K. L. More, H. M. Meyer, J. R. DiStefano
Fusion Science and Technology | Volume 47 | Number 4 | May 2005 | Pages 851-855
Technical Paper | Fusion Energy - Fusion Materials | doi.org/10.13182/FST05-A792
Articles are hosted by Taylor and Francis Online.
Current compatibility research in the U.S. focuses on two topics: dual- or multi-layer electrically-resistant Y2O3/vanadium coatings in a V-Li blanket concept and SiC composites with a Pb-Li coolant. The compatibility issue for multi-layer coatings includes the ceramic insulating layer and the metallic vanadium alloy layer. Characterization of Y2O3 coatings after exposure to Li shows significant changes in the microstructure. Initial static capsule results for V-4Cr-4Ti alloys in Li at 800°C showed unexpected small mass gains. Capsule tests of monolithic SiC in Pb-17Li showed no mass change and no wetting after 1000h at 800°C and only limited wetting after 1000h at 1100°C. Chemical analysis of the Pb-Li after the tests did not detect Si to the detectability limit of 30ppma (5wppm). In both liquid metal systems, loop tests with a representative temperature gradient are needed to truly determine compatibility limits.
