Conceptual Design of a Used Fuel Packaging Plant for Canada’s CANDU Reactor Nuclear Waste

Abstract

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit established in 2002 in accordance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA) in Canada. The NWMO is responsible for designing and implementing Canada's plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The plan, known as Adaptive Phased Management (APM), requires used fuel to be contained and isolated in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR). This DGR facility will be a novel and crucial infrastructure for Canada’s sustainable energy future. The selected site will host surface facilities for the DGR. The Used Fuel Packaging Plant (UFPP) being a vital part of the facility will include all necessary structures, systems, and components for: (1) Receiving used fuel transportation packages; (2) Loading used fuel into long lived disposal containers; (3) Sealing, inspecting, and dispatching filled containers for underground placement. The UFPP is expected to process about 120,000 used Canada Deuterium Uranium (CANDU) fuel bundles per year. The Used Fuel Container (UFC) processed and sealed by the UFPP will form one barrier in the Multiple-Barrier System concept. The success of the UFPP project relies on a sound design to facilitate reliable year-round operations. The facility will be equipped with hot cells, robotics, and remotely controlled tooling for performing daily used fuel packaging operations. The design of the systems, components, and equipment in the UFPP for fuel handling and packaging shall ensure reliable and safe operations in the high-radiation environment created by the presence of the used nuclear fuel. Current progress in the development of the UFPP conceptual design by NWMO and its partners will be discussed.