Numerical analysis of thermal process in the near field around vertical disposal of high-level radioactive waste

For deep geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in granite, the temperature on the HLW canisters is commonly designed to be lower than 100 °C. This criterion dictates the dimension of the repository. Based on the concept of HLW disposal in vertical boreholes, thermal process in the near field (host rock and buffer) surrounding HLW canisters has been simulated by using different methods. The results are drawn as follows: (a) the initial heat power of HLW canisters is the most important and sensitive parameter for evolution of temperature field; (b) the thermal properties and variations of the host rock, the engineered buffer, and possible gaps between canister and buffer and host rock are the additional key factors governing the heat transformation; (c) the gaps width and the filling by water or air determine the temperature offsets between them.