VISUALIZATION OF AN INTEGRATED WASTE MANAGEMENT CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT

Through its network of laboratories, collaboration with vendors, and the nation's university network, the US Department of Energy (DOE) has been conducting analyses, experiments, and research to inform efforts to develop a safe, secure, efficient spent nuclear fuel (SNF) management system. A tremendous amount of technical information, data, and knowledge about SNF management has been generated, but much of this information'including descriptions of waste management operations structures and steps, required tools, and equipment'is presented in technical terms that are not readily understandable by many members of the public and stakeholders from nontechnical backgrounds. This paper illustrates strategies to present a concept of operations (CONOPS) for a SNF management system to key stakeholders, including the public communities considering allowing waste management facilities such as extended storage or repository sites through the consent-based siting process. Two layered approaches are being considered: (1) develop an animation of the waste management CONOPS in a virtual environment, and (2) compile a comprehensive collection of project information, data, and knowledge in a web-accessible form so that interested parties can learn more about DOE's waste management efforts. This paper presents the animation approach. CONOPS for the entire back end of the commercial light-water reactor SNF lifecycle was created in a virtual environment using 3DS Max software. Mockups of components'including fuel assemblies, spent fuel canisters, storage overpacks, transportation overpacks, and specially designed railcars for SNF transportation'were created using computer-aided drafting. Microsoft Visio was used to develop a detailed flowchart of all necessary operations and steps required to ensure safe performance. Using these products, a preliminary partial animation of CONOPS for managing commercial SNF was created. A partial audio narration describing the steps and operation depicted in the animation was created and overlaid onto the animation file. To improve the user's experience, some parts of the animation include embedded links to detailed information sites about the operations illustrated through the animation.