Design of a horizontal concrete module and a dry shielded canister for use in an irradiated fuel storage system

The NUTECH Horizontal Modular Storage (NUHOMS) system is designed to store irradiated nuclear fuel in a dry environment at the reactor site. The system provides containment of the fuel by a stainless steel weld-sealed canister. Biological shielding and protection, of the canister against missile impact is provided by a reinforced concrete module. The fuel cladding is kept at a safe temperature by a natural air draft through the module. The system is completely passive and requires no instrumentation or maintenance. The basic components of this storage concept can be sized up or down to suit specific utility requirements of fuel size and type, fuel pool crane capacity and storage site space limitations. The NUHOMS system is currently being demonstrated and tested at the H. B. Robinson Nuclear Power Plant