Technical and Regulatory Considerations for Use of Fillers in DPCs
- Enviro Nuclear Services, LLC, Las Vegas, NV (United States)
There are currently 2,462 dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) containing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) across the United States. Repackaging DPCs into specialized disposal canisters could be financially and operationally costly with additional radiological, operational safety, and management risks. There are several approaches to facilitate direct disposal of DPCs and demonstrate acceptable repository performance. A promising approach is to fill the void space within the DPCs with a material that would significantly limit the potential for criticality through limiting moderation and/or the addition of neutron absorbers in the interstitial spaces within the fuel assemblies and baskets. An acceptable filler would demonstrably show that the probability of criticality in DPCs during the disposal period of interest to be below the probability threshold for inclusion in repository performance assessment. Based on previous work conducted by domestic and international organizations, two approaches were identified as potentially viable for introduction of fillers into DPCs as liquids that would eventually solidify: (1) molten metal fillers introduced at higher temperatures, and (2) resins or cement slurries that solidify at lower temperatures.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Fuel Cycle Technologies
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000
- OSTI ID:
- 1462821
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-2018-8275R; 666457
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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