Compact storage of spent fuel elements

Before spent fuel elements are transported to reprocessing or to final storage, they undergo an intermediate storage period in so-called spent fuel storage pools. In order to increase the storage capacity of these pools, the normal storage facilities have been replaced by high density spent fuel racks. The fuel elements can be located nearer to one another by the use of neutron-absorbing materials. The first seven of the French 1300 MWe nuclear power stations which are to be fitted with these high density storage racks over the period 1984-1987, are Cattenom 1, 2 and 3, Belleville 1 and 2, together with Nogent 1 and 2. (Auth.)