The system of storage and capsulation of spent fuel in the Egyptian Research Reactor (ET-RR-1)

A new wet spent fuel storage facility has been designed and constructed in the first Egyptian Research Reactor (ET-RR-1). The facility contains an encapsulation system of the defective fuel assemblies for long term storage. The storage is enough to store 176 fuel assemblies in aluminum racks submerged in water. The defective fuel assembly is encapsulated in specially designed tubes. The capsulation tube is tightly closed with a cap containing a non-return valve. The cap is welded on the top and then the tube is charged with nitrogen gas containing 5% of helium to prevent corrosion. The helium is used to test probable leakage using a sensitive device. The capsulated assembly is returned to the storage to be stored for a very long time. (author)