A geological nuclear waste disposal facility will generate significant quantities of gas, some of it radioactive, but the Environment Agency says it is satisfied work by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has identified most of the processes and safety issues involved.
An Agency report, Gas generation and migration from a deep geological repository for radioactive waste, examines the NDA research into the proposed facility and concludes it has identified most of the gas generating processes involved.
Gas, mostly methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen, would be generated in significant quantities by decay of organic matter and metal corrosion (including fuel rods) and, if contained, could disturb pressure head gradients and groundwater flows and, if not, could cause other consequences.
But the Agency is satisfied that work done by Nirex over the last 20 years has identified most gas generation processes and safety issues.
