Making the Case For Safe Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel For Extended Periods of Time: Combining Near-Term Experiments and Analyses with Longer-Term Confirmatory Demonstrations

August 31, 2013

Journal Article

Making the Case For Safe Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel For Extended Periods of Time: Combining Near-Term Experiments and Analyses with Longer-Term Confirmatory Demonstrations

Abstract

The need for extended storage of used nuclear fuel is increasing globally as disposition schedules for used fuel are pushed further into the future. This is creating a situation where dry storage of used fuel may need to be extended beyond normal regulatory licensing periods. While it is generally accepted that used fuel in dry storage will remain in a safe condition, there is little data that demonstrate used fuel performance in dry storage environments for long periods of time. This is especially true for high burnup used fuel.

Revised: May 2, 2014 | Published: August 31, 2013

Citation

Sorenson K.B., and B.D. Hanson. 2013. Making the Case For Safe Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel For Extended Periods of Time: Combining Near-Term Experiments and Analyses with Longer-Term Confirmatory Demonstrations. Nuclear Engineering and Technology 45, no. 4:421-426. PNNL-SA-98421. doi:10.5516/NET.06.2013.707