Electrodeposited Copper Coatings for Used Fuel Containers

Abstract

Recently, copper coating of used fuel containers (UFCs) has been an area of research at the Nuclear Waste Management Organization, as copper offers a means of protecting steel UFCs from corrosion within a deep geological repository. The design is based on the application of a high purity copper coating directly to the surface of the UFC structural core. In the proposed fabrication sequence, vessel components would be delivered to the Used Fuel Packing Plant pre-coated with copper. Electrodeposition has been identified as a particularly adaptable method for this purpose; this paper will present applied research in this area.