An overview of US DISPOSAL research activities linked to international URLs

Abstract

Over several decades, the United States research program for geologic disposal of high-level radioactive waste focused solely on an open tunnel emplacement in unsaturated densely fractured tuff. Recently, the nation's interest shifted to alternative repository designs and geologic environments, more similar to those being investigated by other international geologic disposal programs. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recognized that close international collaboration can be a beneficial and cost-effective strategy for advancing knowledge on alternative disposal options and developed specific Research and Development (R&D) activities in cooperation with several international partner organizations. This presentation gives on overview of these R&D activities, with specific focus on such activities that provide access to field data and/or allow participation in field experiments conducted in international underground research laboratories (URLs). Show more