Deep geological repository transportation system conceptual design report crystalline/sedimentary rock

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization is implementing Adaptive Phased Management (APM), Canada's plan for the long-term management of used nuclear fuel. The APM approach encompasses centralized containment and isolation of the used fuel in a Deep Geological Repository (DGR) in a suitable rock formation, such as crystalline rock or sedimentary rock, in an informed and willing host community. This report describes conceptual designs of the transportation system and considers transport of used fuel to a repository sited in either a crystalline or sedimentary rock geosphere. For costing purposes, it is assumed that the DGR facility will receive 5.5 million fuel bundles over a 46-year period. The report describes the systems, equipment, components and associated operations required for the gate-to-gate transport of used nuclear fuel with consideration to routing, equipment, logistics, security, emergency response, personnel, and labour requirements, as well as regulatory and legal requirements. The system design considers an all road transportation scenario, using two types of transportation packages (i.e., the Used Fuel Transportation Package and the Basket Transportation Package) to transport used nuclear fuel from interim storage facilities to NWMO's deep geological repository. (author)