Concept for waste package environment tests in the Yucca Mountain exploratory shaft

Prototype Engineered Barrier System Field Test (PEBSFT); Final report

“…The prototype test was designed to duplicate, to the extent possible, anticipated test conditions for EBSFT at Yucca Mountain; for this, the reader is referred to a paper by Yow (1985), in which the general concepts of a waste package environment test are described.…”

Thermal calculations pertaining to experiments in the Yucca Mountain Exploratory Shaft

“…Preliminary calculations indicate that with a heat loading of approximately 5 kW, the 100°C isotherm will reach a radial position about 1 m into the surrounding rock in approximately three months (Yow, 1985). This thermal loading is higher than that of the reference PWR spent fuel package (O'Neal et al, 1984).…”

In situ changes in the moisture content of heated, welded tuff based on thermal neutron measurements

“…Prototype testing was initiated so that when the EBSFT is performed, the techniques, instrumentation, and procedures will provide the information needed to characterize the waste package environment. The prototype test was designed to duplicate, to the extent possible, anticipated test conditions for EBSFT at Yucca Mountain; for this, the reader is referred to a paper by Yow (1985), in which the general concepts of a waste package environment test are described. Although the concept for these tests has evolved with time, the overall concept of what we will be measuring and why remains largely as described by Yow.…”