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The Wipp Pre-Disposal Phase Experimental Program

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 September 2012

M. L. Matthews
M. L. Matthews*
Affiliation:
Office of Regulatory Compliance, U.S. Department of Energy, Carlsbad Area Office, P.O. Box 3090, Carlsbad, NM 88221–3090, matthem@wipp.carlsbad.nm.us
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Abstract

The WIPP is a transuranic waste disposal project of the U.S. Department of Energy and administered by the Carlsbad Area Office. The WIPP facility is a mined repository located near Carlsbad, New Mexico. It was developed and constructed 658 meters below the surface to demonstrate the safe, permanent isolation of transuranic radioactive wastes in a bedded salt formation. After the site selection phase and construction phase were completed, DOE embarked upon a pre-disposal experimental program phase. There are four major WIPP experimental program areas: shaft seals and rock mechanics; disposal room interactions; fluid flow and transport; and direct releases due to human intrusion.

The Pre-Disposal Phase Experimental Program provided the necessary information to support the WIPP performance assessment process. The results of the program have been instrumental in demonstrating that the WIPP meets the regulatory requirements.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 465: Symposium II – Scienfific Basis for Nuclear Waste Management XX , 1996 , 1141
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1997

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References

REFERENCES

1. DOE (U.S. Dept. Of Energy), 1996: Title 40 CFR Part 191 Compliance Certification Application for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant: DOE/CAO-2184; Carlsbad Area Office, Carlsbad, New Mexico.Google Scholar
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