Development of a mechanistic model for gamma-radiolysis induced corrosion of copper in the DGR water environments

拟议的项目涉及在深部地质储存库（DGR）中安全处置使用过的核燃料的候选材料的腐蚀余量。当前设计的乏燃料容器（UFC）采用镀铜碳钢容器。该项目将开发一个模型，用于在DGR中不断变化的条件下，乏燃料的伽马辐射对铜腐蚀的影响。铜腐蚀作为潜在DGR环境的功能，将使用高度复杂的物理和化学技术进行深入研究。实验研究将伴随大量的计算来发展一个机械腐蚀模型。该模型将考虑铜腐蚀的复杂性，包括电化学和溶液反应，以及氧化物的形成和生长，旨在预测在连续伽马辐射下长时间内腐蚀的演变。当DGR中的辐射水平仍然显著时，腐蚀模型将对Cu腐蚀余量的充分性提供更准确的评估，以保护UFC的完整性。

The proposed project addresses the corrosion allowance of a candidate material for safe disposal of used nuclear fuel in a deep geologic repository (DGR). The current design of the used fuel container (UFC) uses a copper-coated carbon steel vessel. The project will develop a model for the effect of gamma radiation from the used fuel on copper corrosion under evolving conditions in a DGR. Copper corrosion as a function of potential DGR environments will be investigated in depth using the highly sophisticated physical and chemical techniques. Experimental studies will be accompanied with extensive calculations to develop a mechanistic corrosion model. This model will aim to predict the evolution of corrosion over long time periods under a continuous flux of gamma-radiation taking into account the complexities of copper corrosion, including electrochemical and solution reactions, and oxide formation and growth. The corrosion model will provide a more accurate assessment of the adequacy of the Cu corrosion allowance to protect the integrity of the UFC during the period when the radiation level in the DGR is still significant. This project will be an important component of UFC performance assessment models for the safe disposal of Canada's high level nuclear waste. It will also provide trained personnel to guarantee the safe implementation of the nation's nuclear waste disposal plan.