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Development of an Advanced Performance Assessment Modeling Capability for Geologic Disposal of Nuclear Waste: Methodology and Requirements

Freeze, Geoffrey; Vaughn, Palmer

This report describes the planning and initial development of an advanced disposal system PA modeling capability to facilitate the science-based evaluation of disposal system performance for a range of fuel cycle alternatives in a variety of geologic media and generic disposal system concepts. The advanced modeling capability will provide a PA model framework that facilitates PA model development, execution, and evaluation within a formal PA methodology. The PA model framework will provide a formalized structure that enables (a) representation and implementation of a range of generic geologic disposal system options, (b) representation of subsystem processes and couplings at varying levels of complexity in an integrated disposal system model, (c) flexible, modular representation of multi-physics processes, including the use of legacy codes, (d) evaluation of system- and subsystem-level performance, (e) uncertainty and sensitivity analyses to isolate key subsystem processes and components, (f) data and configuration management functions, and (g) implementation in HPC environments.