Gas generation and migration from a deep geological repository for radioactive waste. A review of Nirex/NDA’s work

Abstract

The Environment Agency’s Nuclear Waste Assessment Team (NWAT) commissioned Quintessa to review Nirex/NDA's work relating to gas evolution and migration in the context of disposing of higher activity radioactive waste in a deep geological repository. Significant quantities of gas (mainly hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane) will be generated in a deep geological repository. Some of this gas is likely to be radioactive. If gas accumulates in a repository there will be a build up of pressure which has the potential to disturb the engineered structure of the repository and its host rock. If gas is not contained there will be other consequences, particularly on the local ground water flow regime