Practices for Interim Storage of Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel

Practices for Interim Storage of Research Reactor Spent Nuclear Fuel

Author: IAEA

Publisher: International Atomic Energy Agency

Published: 2022-09-28

Total Pages: 139

ISBN-13: 9201233221

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This publication provides an introduction to the management of research reactor spent nuclear fuel (RRSNF). Five key areas are discussed: types of RRSNF, characterization data, wet storage considerations, dry storage considerations, and lessons learned and current practices. Information on internationally accepted standards as well as information on aspects such as drying treatment and surveillance programmes are presented, as well as suggestions for further optimization of effective and safe storage of RRSNF through the application of new approaches. The intended users of this publication include industry professionals at operating research reactors and at RRSNF storage facilities who need to identify the most suitable approach for interim storage of spent fuel.


Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2021-04-30

Total Pages:

ISBN-13: 9789201061195

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This publication is a revision by amendment of IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-15 and provides recommendations and guidance on the storage of spent nuclear fuel. It covers all types of storage facility and all types of spent fuel from nuclear power plants and research reactors. It takes into consideration the longer storage periods beyond the original design lifetime of the storage facility that have become necessary owing to delays in the development of disposal facilities and the reduction in reprocessing activities. It also considers developments associated with nuclear fuel, such as higher enrichment, mixed oxide fuels and higher burnup. Guidance is provided on all stages in the lifetime of a spent fuel storage facility, from planning through siting and design to operation and decommissioning. The revision was undertaken by amending, adding and/or deleting specific paragraphs addressing recommendations and findings from studying the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan.


Impact of Fuel Density on Performance and Economy of Research Reactors

Impact of Fuel Density on Performance and Economy of Research Reactors

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2021

Total Pages: 84

ISBN-13: 9789201203205

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Research reactor fuel technology continues to evolve, driven in part by international efforts to develop high density fuels to enable the conversion of more reactors from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuels. These high density fuels may offer economic benefits for research reactors, despite being more expensive initially, because they offer the prospect of higher per-assembly burnup, thus reducing the number of assemblies that must be procured, and more flexibility in terms of spent fuel management compared to the currently qualified and commercially available LEU silicide fuels. Additionally, these new fuels may offer better performance characteristics. This publication provides a preliminary evaluation of the impacts on research reactor performance and fuel costs from using high density fuel. Several case studies are presented and compared to illustrate these impacts.


Going the Distance?

Going the Distance?

Author: National Research Council

Publisher: National Academies Press

Published: 2006-06-21

Total Pages: 355

ISBN-13: 0309164826

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This new report from the National Research Council's Nuclear and Radiation Studies Board (NRSB) and the Transportation Research Board reviews the risks and technical and societal concerns for the transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste in the United States. Shipments are expected to increase as the U.S. Department of Energy opens a repository for spent fuel and high-level waste at Yucca Mountain, and the commercial nuclear industry considers constructing a facility in Utah for temporary storage of spent fuel from some of its nuclear waste plants. The report concludes that there are no fundamental technical barriers to the safe transport of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive and the radiological risks of transport are well understood and generally low. However, there are a number of challenges that must be addressed before large-quantity shipping programs can be implemented successfully. Among these are managing "social" risks. The report does not provide an examination of the security of shipments against malevolent acts but recommends that such an examination be carried out.


Corrosion of Research Reactor Aluminium Clad Spent Fuel in Water

Corrosion of Research Reactor Aluminium Clad Spent Fuel in Water

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 236

ISBN-13:

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This report describes research performed in ten laboratories within the framework of the IAEA Co-ordinated Research Project on Corrosion of Research Reactor Aluminium Clad Spent Fuel in Water. The project consisted of exposure of standard racks of corrosion coupons in the spent fuel pools of the participating research reactor laboratories and evaluation of the coupons after predetermined exposure times, along with periodic monitoring of the storage water. A group of experts in the field contributed a state of the art review and provided technical supervision of the project. Localized corrosion mechanisms are notoriously difficult to understand, and it was clear from the outset that obtaining consistency in the results and their interpretation from laboratory to laboratory would depend on the development of an excellent set of experimental protocols. These experimental protocols are described in the report, together with guidelines for the maintenance of optimum water chemistry to minimize the corrosion of aluminium clad research reactor fuel in wet storage.


Research Reactor Spent Fuel Management

Research Reactor Spent Fuel Management

Author: IAEA

Publisher:

Published: 2022-01-30

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789201200211

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This publication, resulting from an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP), provides information about available strategies for research reactor spent fuel management, and presents a decision methodology to assist those selecting among several options, to identify the preferred approach for their specific situation. The decision support tools were developed to consider not only the cost of the possible research reactor spent fuel management strategies, but also the non-economic factors that might influence their selection. Examples of the technologies that are currently used by some IAEA Member States are provided. Additionally, this publication provides information about the Excel based decision-support tools developed as part of this CRP, along with case studies and tutorials to assist users.


Multilateralization of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Multilateralization of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Author: Yury Yudin

Publisher: UN

Published: 2009

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13:

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Global energy demands are driving a potential expansion in the use of nuclear energy worldwide. It is estimated that the global nuclear power capacity could double by 2030. This could result in dissemination of sensitive nuclear technologies that present obvious risks of proliferation. Certain international institutional mechanisms for controlling access to sensitive materials, facilities and technologies are needed for dealing with this problem. Over the past few years, 12 proposals have been put forward by states, nuclear industry and international organizations, aimed at checking the spread of uranium enrichment and spent fuel reprocessing technologies. This book presents an overview and analysis of these proposals, including an evaluation of the projected international mechanisms.


Safety Assessment for Spent Fuel Storage Facilities

Safety Assessment for Spent Fuel Storage Facilities

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 1994

Total Pages: 88

ISBN-13:

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Describes international approaches for maintaining fuel subcritical, removing residual heat, providing radiation protection and containing radioactive materials for the lifetime of a facility. It is intended to provide details on the safety assessment of interim spent fuel storage facilities that are not an integral part of an operating plant.


Nuclear Energy Basic Principles

Nuclear Energy Basic Principles

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2008

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789201126085

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Describes the rationale and vision for the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The publication identifies the basic principles that nuclear energy systems must satisfy to fulfil their promise of meeting growing global energy demands.


Storing Spent Fuel Until Transport to Reprocessing Or Disposal

Storing Spent Fuel Until Transport to Reprocessing Or Disposal

Author:

Publisher: International Atomic Energy Agency

Published: 2019-05-22

Total Pages: 40

ISBN-13: 9789201007193

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This publication identifies issues and challenges relevant to the development and implementation of options, policies, strategies and programmes for ensuring safe, secure, and effective storage of spent fuel until transport for reprocessing or disposal. The target audience of this publication includes policy and decision makers who need to be aware of the implicit risks and costs associated with decision timing for determining and implementing an end point for spent fuel management (such as reprocessing or disposal) to ensure the responsible and sustainable use of nuclear energy. The publication will assist those within the nuclear industry in communicating the importance of a clear, credible and sustainable spent fuel management strategy and will encourage decision makers to consider different approaches that may be useful in addressing the uncertainties resulting from an unknown storage duration and an undefined end point for spent fuel management.