Stabilization and storage of solidified high-level radioactive wastes

Corrosion measurements on stainless-steel bins used to store high-level waste (HLW) calcines at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant indicate an internal corrosion rate of 0.13 mm over 500 y. From a corrosion standpoint, the existing bins or canisters stored in air will last more than 500 y. Synthetic commercial HLWs solidified by fluidized-bed calcination have been stabilized (nitrates and water removed) at 620 to 720/sup 0/C to permit their storage in sealed canisters. Heat transfer properties in the canister storage of the basic HLW forms were calculated, based on specified canister configurations, cooling media, and maximum permissible product or canister wall temperature, for a 1500 MTU/y commercial reprocessing plant. The number of canisters required annually varies from approximately 150 to 800 canisters/y. 5 figures, 3 tables.