Description of the process for future returns of irradiated TRIGA fuel from research reactors to Idaho

The returns program is a part of the, "Atoms for Peace" program wherein the United States (US) provided nuclear technology to foreign nations and domestic research reactors for peaceful applications. As a part of this program when the fuel was expended the agreement was to return the U.S.-origin fuel back to the US. for storage and ultimate disposition. The US. Department of Energy (DOE) reviewed many options for consolidation of SNF at select facilities in 1995. The results of that review were presented in an Environmental Impact Statement that identified the INL as the temporary storage location for DOE-owned non-aluminum clad fuels currently stored at DOE, domestic, and foreign locations. All TRIGA fuel (which includes all types of cladding) was slated to be sent to the INL. This relocation of non-aluminum SNF to the INL supports US. nuclear weapons non-proliferation goals. This presentation will describe the requirements and practices associated with preparing and shipping irradiated TRIGA fuel to the US. DOE facility in Idaho for consolidation and storage from foreign and domestic research reactors. This information is expected to be very useful as many research reactors may be evaluating the options of continued operations vice having to shut down and dispose of the TRIGA fuel in light of the probability of ending the returns program by the year 2019. (author)