Alternative Canister Processing Operations at an Interim Storage Facility - 16617

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is laying the groundwork for implementing interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in response to recommendations by the Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future in their report to the Secretary of Energy published January 2012. These efforts include planning for a Pilot Interim Storage Facility (ISF) and a Larger ISF. In March 2014, the DOE employed the CB and I team to evaluate design alternatives for cask handling operations and storing SNF at an ISF. The report, 'Generic Design Alternatives for Dry Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel', (Alternatives Report) evaluates different aspects of an ISF, including a study on alternative approaches for processing SNF canisters such as different cask handling methods and configurations which might be used to transfer canisters from shipping casks into storage locations at an ISF. The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of alternative cask handling operations that have been evaluated for the receipt and storage of the SNF at an initial Pilot ISF and a Larger ISF. This design study is relevant for host communities considering near-term development of a Pilot ISF. DOE-sponsored system analyses indicate that a processing rate of up to 3,000 MTU/yr (approximately 230 to 300 canisters) would be needed for a single Larger ISF (less if more than one ISF were developed) to remove SNF from commercial nuclear plants in a reasonable amount of time. The study evaluated different canister processing operation methodologies in order to reduce the complexity, cost, and personnel exposure associated with processing operations at an ISF. The conclusions from this design study could help to inform the selection of future canister processing operations for an ISF. (authors)