A modular design concept for a used nuclear fuel repackaging facility

Direct disposal of the large-capacity used fuel canisters currently used by the nuclear power industry is beyond the current experience base domestically and internationally and represents significant engineering and scientific challenges. Repackaging of fuel from these larger canisters into smaller canisters for disposal may be required to avoid extensive surface decay storage, to meet physical constraints on disposal systems, or to meet repository licensing strategies. Researchers are investigating modular concepts for Used Nuclear Fuel (UNF) repackaging facilities and how those facilities could impact an integrated waste management system. Modularity could be a useful and flexible tool to address uncertainties associated with developing and implementing an integrated waste management system over long time periods. As examples, there are basic uncertainties associated with where a repackaging facility might be physically located within the waste management system [stand-alone or colocated with a consolidated storage facility (CSF) or repository], and what the throughput requirements will be over time to optimize waste streams going to CSFs or the repository. The repackaging facility module described in this paper is sized for 1500 MTU/year throughput. The main structures within the module include a Carrier Receipt Bay, a Waste Handling Building, and a Carrier Release Bay. Two air locks are included-one between the Receipt Bay and the Waste Handling Building and one between the Waste Handling Building and the Release Bay (Fig. 1). The configurations of the Carrier Receipt Bay and the Release Bay may vary considerably depending on whether the Repackaging Facility is colocated with a CSF, a Mined Geologic Repositoiy, or is a stand-alone facility.