Title: Nuclear waste management using alpha particle physical phenomena by nanoscale investigations

Authors: Taeho Woo, Taewoo Kim

Addresses: Department of Nuclear Engineering, Seoul National University, Gwanak 599, Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, 151-742, Korea. ' Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Daeduk-daero 1045, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-353, Korea

Abstract: Nuclear waste is investigated from the aspect of its nanoscale behaviour. Four materials are selected as the nuclear waste container. Using the irradiation-induced amorphisation, some characteristics are examined. The Displacement Per Atom (dpa) is affected by the ion dose using the Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter 2008 (SRIM 2008) code system, which is a computer package of molecular dynamic simulations. The dpa is changed completely and kinetic energy is transferred to the target by the nuclear collision. The length of the material is a function of the ion collisions. It is concluded that a thickness of 204 nm is the optimised length of a waste drum by crystalline silicotitanate.

Keywords: nuclear waste management; nanoscale behaviour; SRIM 2008; Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter 2008; dpa; displacement per atom; irradiation-induced amorphisation; molecular dynamics; simulation; waste drums; crystalline silicotitanate; quantum mechanics; geological technology; radiation hazards; reliability; radiation range; ion distribution; ionisation; phonons; recoil energy; radiation damage; event frequency.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNGEE.2011.042210

International Journal of Nuclear Governance, Economy and Ecology, 2011 Vol.3 No.3, pp.234 - 241

Published online: 31 Aug 2011 *

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