Objective At the core of the safety case for long-term geologic disposal for spent nuclear fuel lie the issues regarding spent fuel dissolution. We have today significant knowledge regarding dissolution of uranium oxide in the laboratory. However, uncertainties remain regarding spent fuel dissolution under realistic conditions. Two main questions stand out as necessary to address: First, the synthetic groundwater used in the experiments to date does not contain all of the chemical elements that occur in natural groundwaters. Some of the trace elements may produce radiolysis products that are more aggressive than those produced in the synthetic groundwaters. Second, the fragments used in laboratory experiments contain sharp edges and defects generated by the crushing process. These sites contain atoms that have fewer bonds than the bulk material and constitute high-energy sites. As dissolution occurs, these sites dissolve faster than lower energy sites, such as plane surface sites. As the high-energy sites disappear through dissolution, the dissolution rate decreases. We can approach the long-term dissolution rate in the laboratory, but we cannot at this time estimate how far away we are from it. The two items mentioned above lead to uncertainty concerning the dissolution rate. The objectives of the work proposed here are to reduce the uncertainty in the dissolution rate to be used in the safety case and thereby increase the confidence that can be placed in our ability to demonstrate that the geologic repository will function as designed. A second objective of this work is to provide for the training of young research workers who can continue to support the research needed in the future concerning radioactive waste disposal. Fields of science engineering and technologyother engineering and technologiesnuclear engineeringnuclear waste managementengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementengineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsnatural scienceschemical sciencesnuclear chemistryradiation chemistry Programme(s) FP7-EURATOM-FISSION - EURATOM: Nuclear fission and radiation protection Topic(s) Fission-2010-1.1.2 - Research activities in support of implementation of geological disposal Call for proposal FP7-Fission-2010 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme CP-FP - Small or medium-scale focused research project Coordinator SVENSK KARNBRANSLEHANTERING AKTIEBOLAG EU contribution € 89 973,00 Address BOX 3091 169 03 Solna Sweden See on map Region Östra Sverige Stockholm Stockholms län Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all POSIVA OY Finland EU contribution € 22 608,00 Address OLKILUOTO 27160 Eurajoki See on map Region Manner-Suomi Länsi-Suomi Satakunta Activity type Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Total cost No data TEKNOLOGIAN TUTKIMUSKESKUS VTT Finland EU contribution € 271 000,00 Address TEKNIIKANTIE 4 A 02044 VTT ESPOO See on map Activity type Research Organisations Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UPPSALA UNIVERSITET Sweden EU contribution € 232 800,00 Address VON KRAEMERS ALLE 4 751 05 Uppsala See on map Region Östra Sverige Östra Mellansverige Uppsala län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD United Kingdom EU contribution € 312 922,80 Address FIRTH COURT WESTERN BANK S10 2TN Sheffield See on map Region Yorkshire and the Humber South Yorkshire Sheffield Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Total cost No data