Conceptual Design of a Used Fuel Packaging Plant

Abstract

As part of implementing Adaptive Phased Management for the long-term care of Canada;s used nuclear fuel, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization has developed a conceptual design of a used fuel packaging plant. The purpose of the packaging plant is to receive and repackage the used fuel in corrosion-resistant containers before placement in a deep geological repository. It is assumed that the packaging plant will be located on the same site as the repository.

The packaging plant encompasses all necessary areas and equipment for receiving empty containers, receiving used fuel, loading the fuel into the containers -; and sealing, inspecting and dispatching filled containers for transfer to the repository. There are also provisions for cutting open and emptying any containers that do not fulfill specified requirements. To ensure reliable delivery of containers to the deep geological repository, the plant includes surge storage for used fuel, empty containers and filled containers.Most of the processing steps in the packaging plant are remotely operated and performed inside shielded areas. With a container capacity of 360 used CANDU fuel bundles, the required throughput of the plant is 333 containers per year, which is achieved with a single processing line -; except handling of fuel, which requires parallel processing equipment.

The used fuel packaging plant is an important step in the process of transferring Canada;s used fuel from interim storage to a deep geological repository. In addition to ensuring safety during operation, the packaging plant must produce containers that fulfill requirements for long-term safety - without frequent or lengthy production stops that would jeopardize the rate of placement in the repository.

To meet all such requirements, further development of the packaging plant design is essential. In particular, methods for transfer of fuel bundles and technologies for fabrication, sealing and nondestructive testing of containers will be evaluated and demonstrated during the coming years. The detailed design and optimization of the packaging plant will be determined once the repository site has been selected and the container design has been finalized. At this conceptual stage of implementing Adaptive Phased Management, this packaging plant design serves as an important stepping stone for future design development and optimization projects.