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Harnessing Geothermal Energy Potential from High-Level Nuclear Waste Repositories

Author

Listed:
  • Dauren Sarsenbayev

    (Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA)

  • Liange Zheng

    (Energy Geosciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Dinara Ermakova

    (Department of Nuclear Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Rashid Sharipov

    (Department of Engineering and Information Technology, Kazakh-German University, Almaty 050010, Kazakhstan)

  • Haruko M. Wainwright

    (Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
    Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
    Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

Abstract

The disposal of high-level nuclear waste (HLW) has been one of the most challenging issues for nuclear energy utilization. In this study, we have explored the potential of extracting decay heat from HLW, taking advantage of recent advances in the technologies to utilize low-temperature geothermal resources for the co-generation of electricity and heat. Given that geothermal energy entails extracting heat from natural radioactivity within the Earth, we may consider that our approach is to augment it with an anthropogenic geothermal source. Our study—for the first time—introduces a conceptual model of a binary-cycle geothermal system powered by the heat produced by HLW. TOUGHREACT V3.32 software was used to model the heat transfer resulting from radioactive decay to the surrounding geological media. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of employing the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) to generate approximately 108 kWe per HLW canister 30 years after emplacement and a heat pump system to produce 81 kWth of high-potential heat per canister for HVAC purposes within the same timeframe. The proposed facility has the potential to produce carbon-free power while ensuring the safe disposal of radioactive waste and removing the bottleneck in the sustainable use of nuclear energy.

Suggested Citation

  • Dauren Sarsenbayev & Liange Zheng & Dinara Ermakova & Rashid Sharipov & Haruko M. Wainwright, 2024. "Harnessing Geothermal Energy Potential from High-Level Nuclear Waste Repositories," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:9:p:2002-:d:1381209
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Dongxiang & Ling, Xiang & Peng, Hao & Liu, Lin & Tao, LanLan, 2013. "Efficiency and optimal performance evaluation of organic Rankine cycle for low grade waste heat power generation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 343-352.
    2. Anderson, Austin & Rezaie, Behnaz, 2019. "Geothermal technology: Trends and potential role in a sustainable future," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 18-34.
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