Transport Considerations in Spent Nuclear Fuel. Annex XVI

The three fuel cycle options are the once through cycle where spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is regarded as waste destined for final disposal, the open cycle in which the fuel is stored on an interim basis and the closed cycle where the SNF is reprocessed and recycled, recovering the uranium and plutonium for further use. In each case the interfaces between the various stages in SNF management options all involve packaging and transport; namely from short term storage to longer term storage (until the fuel cycle option has been determined), from storage to reprocessing and from storage to conditioning for disposal. Packaging and transport are essential components of the management of the wastes associated with any of these options. Effective packaging and transport are therefore vital to keeping the nuclear fuel cycle flowing