Preliminary geologic and waste package sensitivity study for subseabed high-level nuclear waste disposal

Preliminary thermal and nuclide transport sensitivity studies of the waste package and sediments were conducted for the Subseabed Nuclear Waste Disposal Project. These studies quantified criteria, provided guidance for research, and were inputs to risk assessments and to the design of the reference system for the feasibility phase of the project. Heat transfer sensitivity was analyzed over a wide range of site properties and repository and waste package design parameters. Parameter groups in the nuclide transport studies included waste package containment, sediment properties, site characteristics, and repository designs. Time-integrated world population doses and peak individual dose rates were used as the evaluation standards. 27 refs., 62 figs., 40 tabs.