Comparison of Decay Heat Power of Uranium, Plutonium, and Thorium Spent Fuel at Long-Term Storage

Accumulation and subsequent storage of actinides from uranium, plutonium, and thorium spent fuel of PWR type reactor is discussed in the paper. During period of accumulation 100 or 300 years, actinides are periodically introduced in the storage facility. Subsequent period of 300 000 years is long-term storage without introduction of new portions of spent fuel. This time includes both period of controllable storage and ultimate geological storage. Decay heat power of actinides was calculated. It affects heat removal system of the storage facility. Maximal decay heat power of actinides from plutonium spent fuel corresponding to the end of the period of accumulation of 100 years is 2.5 times higher than that of uranium spent fuel. Maximal decay heat power of actinides from uranium spent fuel is 1.2 times higher than that of thorium spent fuel.