Modular Canister System for High Burnup Nuclear Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for the storage, transportation, and disposal of used nuclear fuel assemblies face challenges due to inadequate packaging size limitations, radiological, operational, and financial liabilities, particularly for high burnup fuel and damaged fuel, with regulations separating storage, transportation, and disposal and lacking clear disposal requirements.
Innovation Solution
An integrated storage, transportation, and disposal system using sealed canisters with longitudinal reinforcing members and radiation-absorbing panels, allowing for the handling of high burnup and damaged fuel, and a cask design that accommodates multiple canisters for efficient storage, transportation, and direct disposal, adaptable to various geologic media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If used nuclear fuel assemblies are stored in dry casks, then temporary storage is achieved, but the package size does not satisfy repository disposal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fuel assembly storage into modular canisters that can be independently handled, transported, and disposed of. Each canister is designed to meet repository requirements while containing multiple fuel assemblies, eliminating the need for repackaging entire cask contents.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple fuel assemblies are nested within individual canisters, which are then stored within larger casks for transportation and storage. This nested structure allows the canisters to be removed and disposed of separately while maintaining the integrity of the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If repackaging is performed to meet repository requirements, then disposal compatibility is improved, but radiological, operational and financial liabilities increase
Solution Approach 1:
The canisters are pre-configured with the necessary structural features, reinforcement members, and radiation-absorbing panels during manufacturing, so that when fuel assemblies are loaded, the canisters are already prepared to meet repository requirements without requiring subsequent repackaging operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing dry casks are used for storage, then storage capability is maintained, but they do not meet maximum burnup limits for transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The canister design incorporates specific parameter changes including enhanced structural reinforcement, radiation-absorbing panels, and modified geometric configurations that enable safe transportation of high burnup fuel assemblies exceeding the traditional 45 GWd/MTU limit while maintaining transportation safety standards.
4Adaptability or versatility
If separate regulations are applied for storage and transportation, then regulatory compliance is maintained, but integrated disposal planning is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The canister system serves multiple functions across different operational phases: it stores fuel assemblies during interim periods, transports them to repository locations, and facilitates their final disposal. This multi-functional design allows a single system to comply with various regulations while enabling integrated disposal planning.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides superior assembly and burnup capacity, minimizes cask loadings, enhances fuel subcriticality, reduces life-cycle costs, and enables efficient handling and disposal of used nuclear fuel across different geologic conditions, including tuff, clay/shale, salt, and crystalline rock.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation-absorbing panels include a chevron-shaped cross section and are interposed between adjacent used fuel assemblies along the length of the canister enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated storage, transportation and disposal system for used fuel assemblies is provided. The system includes a plurality of sealed canisters and a cask sized to receive the sealed canisters in side by side relationship. The plurality of sealed canisters include an internal basket structure to receive a plurality of used fuel assemblies. The internal basket structure includes a plurality of radiation-absorbing panels and a plurality of hemispherical ribs generally perpendicular to the canister sidewall. The sealed canisters are received within the cask for storage and transportation and are removed from the cask for disposal at a designated repository. The system of the present invention allows the handling of sealed canisters separately or collectively, while allowing storage and transportation of high burnup fuel and damaged fuel to the designated repository.