CASTOR ^registered 1000/19. Shipping and storage cask for dry intermediate storage of spent fuel elements from the Temelin nuclear power station

The CASTOR ^registered 1000/19-type cask newly developed by GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklear-Service mbH has been designed for shipment and dry storage of 19 spent fuel elements from the two VVER-1000 pressurized water reactors of the Temelin nuclear power station. The design and expert approval followed the internationally recognized shipping regulations of IAEA and the Czech rules and regulations for dry intermediate storage. One June 21, 2010, the Czech regulatory authority issued a type approval (integral transport and storage permit) valid for a period of 5 years for the casks of the new CASTOR ^registered 1000/19 line. As early as on September 9, 2010, which is less than 4 years after the delivery contract had been signed by CEZ and GNS in November 2006, the first cask of the CASTOR ^registered 1000/19 line was loaded with 19 spent fuel elements in only 5 days and emplaced in the newly built intermediate cask store. Loading, handling, in-plant transport, and emplacement of the cask made successful use of the extensive handling and management equipment furnished by GNS. After successful commissioning of the equipment and cold handling in both power plant units and in the intermediate cask store, successful loading and emplacement represents one of the most important milestones in the project. (orig.)