TY - CONF A1 - Feldkamp, Martin A1 - Nehrig, Marko A1 - Bletzer, Claus A1 - Musolff, André A1 - Erenberg, Marina A1 - Wille, Frank T1 - Behaviour of Wood Filled Impact Limiters during Fire Test N2 - Packages for the transport of radioactive material are often equipped with impact limiters consisting of wood, encapsulated by steel sheets. These impact limiters shall ensure the transport cask meets the mechanical and thermal IAEA regulatory test requirements. After damage caused by the mechanical tests the package has to withstand a severe fire scenario. According to the regulations during and following the thermal test, the specimen shall not be artificially cooled and any combustion of materials of the package shall be permitted to proceed naturally. Corresponding to results of the French institute IRSN combustion and smouldering of wood inside the impact limiter occurred during and after the fire test. An additional energy supply from a pre-damaged impact limiter to the cask could be the consequence for the safety assessment of the containment. BAM started a first test phase to examine the issue of combustion for such kind of package components. The goal was to understand the phenomena under the consideration of relevant regulatory boundary conditions. Several metal buckets were filled with wood and equipped with thermocouples. The test specimens have been prepared with different damage arrangements to take the influence of the mechanical tests into account. This paper shows the experimental setup and the conduction of the tests. The first test shows that pre-damaged metal encapsulations can lead to smouldering of the wood and with this to a supplement energy release after the end of the 30 minute fire. BAM is in the preparation process for a second test phase. A thermal test will take place with a wood filled test specimen weighing about 2Mg. T2 - PATRAM 2016 CY - Kobe, Japan DA - 18.09.2016 KW - Burning KW - Fire test KW - Impact limiter KW - Shock absorber KW - Thermal test KW - Typ-B KW - Wood KW - Smouldering KW - Large scale testing PY - 2016 AN - OPUS4-37842 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Komann, Steffen A1 - Wille, Frank A1 - Droste, Bernhard T1 - Gap analysis by periodical reviews of transport package design safety reports of German SNF/HLW dual purpose casks N2 - Storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste in dual purpose casks (DPC) is related with the challenge of maintaining safety for transportation over several decades of storage. Beside consideration of aging mechanisms by appropriate design, material selection and operational controls to assure technical reliability by aging management measures, an essential issue is the continuous control and update of the DPC safety case. Not only the technical objects are subject of aging but also the safety demonstration basis is subject of “aging” due to possible changes of regulations, standards and scientific/technical knowledge. The basic document, defining the transport safety conditions, is the package design safety report (PDSR) for the transport version of the DPC. To ensure a safe transport in future to a destination which is not known yet (because of not yet existing repository sites) periodical reviews of the PDSR, in connection with periodic renewals of package design approval certificates, have to be carried out. The main reviewing tool is a gap analysis. A gap analysis for a PDSR is the assessment of the state of technical knowledge, standards and regulations regarding safety functions of structures, systems and components. T2 - 18th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials PATRAM2016 CY - Kobe, Japan DA - 18.09.2016 KW - Radioactive material KW - Gap analysis KW - Periodical review KW - Approved packages PY - 2016 SP - Paper 5004, 1 EP - 9 AN - OPUS4-37641 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Linnemann, Konrad A1 - Ballheimer, Viktor A1 - Sterthaus, Jens A1 - Rolle, Annette A1 - Wille, Frank A1 - Nasyrow, R. A1 - Papaioannou, D. A1 - Vlassopoulos, E. A1 - Rondinella, V. T1 - Analysis of parameters affecting the bending behavior of spent fuel rods N2 - Transport packages for spent nuclear fuel have to be assessed with respect to specific transport conditions which are defined in the regulations of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The physical state of the spent fuel and the fuel rod cladding as well as the geometric configuration of the fuel assemblies are important inputs for the evaluation of the package capabilities under these conditions. Cracks or failures in the fuel rod cladding can cause the release of gas, volatiles or fuel particles into the cavity. The amount of substances in the cavity has to be considered in the assessment of the activity release and criticality safety. The mechanical analysis of the compound system formed by the fuel rod cladding and the spent fuel pellets is very difficult due to the limited knowledge of the material properties and the insufficient understanding of the interaction between pellets and cladding and between adjacent pellets. The variation of fuel assembly properties regarding cladding material, burn-up and the history of usage makes reliable predictions of the fuel rod behavior even harder. For a better understanding about the behavior of spent fuel rods, JRC-ITU and BAM have started a joint research project. In this context, JRC-ITU has developed a test device which allows quasi-static 3-point-bending test on fuel rod segments in the hot cell. The loads are applied with respect to the boundary conditions of the activity release assessment. This paper deals with the numerical calculation of a single fuel rod segment under bending load. The aim is to identify the governing mechanical parameters by the variation of constitutive assumptions, contact conditions, inner constraints, etc. This knowledge helps for the interpretation of the experimental results. Furthermore, the improved understanding about the behavior of the cladding-pellets system will be beneficial for the assessment of spent fuel transport conditions. T2 - PATRAM 2016 - 18th International symposium on the packaging and transportation of radioactive materials CY - Kobe, Japan DA - 18.09.2016 KW - Transport packages KW - Finite element methods KW - Spent fuel assessment PY - 2016 SP - Paper 2012, 1 AN - OPUS4-40000 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Völzke, Holger A1 - Wolff, Dietmar T1 - Spent Nuclear Fuel and HLW Storage towards Disposal - Challenges and Perspectives of an Integrated Approach - N2 - This paper describes and discusses the major challenges of spent fuel management in Germany after the phase-out of nuclear electricity generation was decided in 2011 and a new repository siting procedure was implemented in 2013. Consequences from those decisions which were legally founded by amendments of the German Atomic Energy Act (AtG) result in the need to transfer all remaining spent fuel from limited reactor operation (last reactor shutdown until the end of 2022) into casks for subsequent dry interim storage on-site. Storage licenses are generally issued site-specific considering specific dual purpose casks (DPC) and their inventories and they are generally limited to 40 years so far. But the need for extending the interim storage period in the future has become obvious. Even though, this may not be an issue to be solved already today questions about additional safety demonstrations will arise as soon as licenses need to be extended. Certainly, these questions will ask for reliable data about the long term performance and safety of structures, systems, and components, e. g. the long term performance of cask components and materials like bolted closure systems including metal seals, or fuel rod behaviour concerning cladding materials under stress and temperature conditions. In case of dual purpose casks for storage and transportation this includes aspects on how to demonstrate transportability during or after several decades of interim storage. Long term investigations often require plenty of time and therefore need to be initiated timely. T2 - PATRAM 2016 The 18th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials CY - Kobe, Japan DA - 18.09.2016 KW - Storage KW - Spent Fuel KW - Disposal PY - 2016 UR - http://www.patram2016.org/ SN - 978-4-88898-270-2 SP - Paper 5006 AN - OPUS4-40300 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Nasyrow, R. A1 - Papaioannou, D. A1 - Rondinella, V. A1 - Vlassopoulos, E. A1 - Linnemann, Konrad A1 - Ballheimer, Viktor A1 - Sterthaus, Jens A1 - Rolle, Annette A1 - Wille, Frank A1 - Caruso, St. T1 - Bending test device for mechanical integrity studies of spent nuclear fuel rods N2 - This paper presents data obtained from experiments performed using a bending test set-up developed at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) – Karlsruhe, for spent fuel segment testing. Adjustable sample holders, loading modes and other experimental conditions can be im- plemented in the experiments to study the effects of different deformation ranges up to cladding failure. The experimental set-up has been adapted to hot cell remote controlling and has a modular configuration, which allows manual and motor-driven loading option. The device has been calibrated on hydrogenated, unirradiated cladding tube segments filled with alumina pellets. The final application of present set-up is to test non-defueled spent fuel rod segments, pressurized to the original spent fuel rod pressure level. The range of applicability of this device, the scope of the experimental program and the first results from actual bending tests will be discussed. T2 - PATRAM 2016 - 18th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials CY - Kobe, Japan DA - 18.09.2016 KW - Hot cell testing KW - Spent fuel assessment KW - Transport packages PY - 2016 SP - Paper 6023, 1 AN - OPUS4-40002 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Komann, Steffen A1 - Reiche, I. A1 - Ramsay, J. A1 - Pilecki, L. A1 - Hirose, M. A1 - Fukuda, T. A1 - Moutarde, M. A1 - Fiaccabrino, V. A1 - Malesys, P. A1 - Nöring, R. T1 - Development of the IAEA safety guide_format and content of the package design safety report_PDSR for the transport of radioactive material N2 - Since 2005, several European countries, coordinated by the European Association of Competent Authorities (EACA), have been developing a guide on contents and structure of the documentation demonstrating the compliance with the regulations for packages for the transport of radioactive material (package design safety report, PDSR). This guide has been periodically improved, considering feedback from Designers and authorities. Taking into account the successful application of this guide in Europe, in 2013 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) decided to establish a similar guide as an IAEA document for promotion of worldwide use. The development of this IAEA guide started from the latest version of the European PDSR guide. In 2016/2017, during a 120-day review period, comments on the draft were received from member states and international organizations. These were incorporated into the draft in a series of meetings in 2017. In another meeting in December 2018 the draft was updated to be in line with the latest revision of the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (SSR-6). In this process the draft has been improved significantly, regarding structure as well as implementation of a graded approach depending on the package type, and clarified. This paper points to the major considerations in developing the guide and important improvements over the last version of the European PDSR guide. T2 - 19th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials PATRAM 2019 CY - New Orleans, LA, USA DA - 04.08.2019 KW - IAEA KW - Safety report KW - Radioactive material KW - European Guide KW - Guidance material KW - Package types KW - Package design PY - 2019 SP - Paper 1172, 1 EP - 7 AN - OPUS4-49097 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Völzke, Holger A1 - Wolff, Dietmar T1 - Update on the German approach of storing spent nuclear fuel in dual purpose casks until final disposal N2 - The German approach of storing spent nuclear fuel in dual purpose casks until final disposal is based on individually licensed storage sites concerning specific nuclear inventories and dual purpose cask types. The currently approved license period is maximum 40 years. With nuclear policy changes including the phase-out decision of 2011 and a new approach for the HLW repository siting process set up 2013 by law also the spent fuel and HLW management strategy has to be adapted. This includes the timely development of disposal container concepts as part of the overall repository siting process and the need for longer interim storage periods until final disposal. Other aspects affect new regulations about the financing of the nuclear waste management by the industry and the public sector, the restructuring of responsible authorities in 2016/2017 and the adaption of R&D funding programs addressing also pre-disposal (or extended interim storage) issues. BAM as a Federal Research Institute has been responsible for or in charge of container safety Evaluation for transport and storage casks for radioactive waste for several decades and started addressing potential Extended interim storage issues already several years ago. This included participation in international projects at the IAEA or in the U.S. Extended Storage Collaboration Program (ESCP) as well as long term laboratory tests with metal seals, elastomeric seals and polymers for neutron shielding purposes. Test results of BAM are published regularly and gained data provide valuable information about thermo-mechanical and radiological degradation effects as well as the long term Performance of respective cask components. Regarding the reliable extrapolation and prediction of the long term Performance of cask materials and components for time periods of up to 80 or even 100 years the continuation and extension of laboratory tests and the development of analytical and numerical simulation models and tools is essential and under way. T2 - 16th International High -Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) CY - Charlotte, NC, USA DA - 09.04.2017 KW - Spent fuel KW - Storage KW - Cask KW - Safety KW - Disposal PY - 2017 SP - 189 EP - 194 AN - OPUS4-40411 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Komann, Steffen A1 - Wille, Frank A1 - Schönfelder, Thorsten T1 - German concept to ensure transportability of SNF packages after interim storage N2 - In Germany the concept of dry interim storage of spent fuel in dual purpose metal casks is implemented, currently for periods of up to 40 years. The casks being used have an approved transport package design in accordance with the international IAEA transport regulations as well. The storage of spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste in dual purpose casks (DPC) is related with the challenge of maintaining safety for transportation over several decades of storage. Besides consideration of aging mechanisms by appropriate design, material selection and operational controls to assure technical reliability by aging management measures, an essential issue is the continuous control and update of the DPC safety case. Not only the technical objects are subject of aging but also the safety demonstration basis is subject of “aging” due to possible changes of regulations, standards and scientific/technical knowledge. To ensure a safe transport in future to a destination which is not known yet (because of not yet existing repository sites) periodical reviews of the Package Design Safety Report (PDSR), in connection with periodic renewals of package design approval certificates, have to be carried out. T2 - International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference, IHLRWM 2017 CY - Charlotte, NC, USA DA - 09.04.2017 KW - Dual purpose casks KW - Interim storage KW - Transportability PY - 2017 SP - 476 EP - 481 AN - OPUS4-39919 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Schilling, O. A1 - Neumann, Martin A1 - Wolff, Dietmar A1 - Wille, Frank A1 - Darnstädt, A. T1 - System of Quality Assurance Measures in Manufacturing and Operation of Dual Purpose Casks for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High Level Waste in Germany N2 - German spent nuclear fuel and high level waste is stored in dry conditions in interim storage facilities until a final repository will be ready for operation in the future. Dual purpose casks are used for the packaging of the materials to ensure transportability at any time during long-term interim storage and fulfilling both requirements from interim storage as well as transport. Germany’s 2011 decision to phase out utilization of nuclear energy has led to a high demand for casks for decommissioning power plants as quickly as possible. Cask serial production will continue at a high level for the next few years. In the process, a system of quality assurance measures ensures that every cask reliably complies with design specification according the transport approval certificate and storage license. When the first casks were manufactured in Germany about 40 years ago, quality assurance was oriented towards pressure vessel and general nuclear manufacturing. The system was continuously adapted to the state of the art. In particular serial production, globalization of manufacturing and deep supplier chains had to be taken into account. The system of quality assurance measures applied today for cask manufacturing shall be presented here. The quality assurance measures can be categorized as system-related and design-related. With respect to transport regulations for example, they are independently approved and monitored by the competent authority BAM and its authorized inspection experts. The qualification of the applicant is reviewed first in the context of the design approval procedure and then periodically. The qualification of component and cask manufacturers is also checked at the start of manufacturing and then periodically. Before the start of manufacturing documents such as quality plans are pre-assessed. Manufacturing and inspection are then performed according to the pre-assessed documents. Cask manufacturing is completed by a final inspection before commissioning. Periodic inspections during operation ensure preservation of the properties specified in the approval certificate over package life time. The type and the time interval of periodic inspections depend on the use of the package. For transport after interim storage a system of specific tests and inspections is prescribed. T2 - 20th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials (PATRAM 22) CY - Juan-les-Pins, France DA - 11.06.2023 KW - Radioactive material KW - Quality Assurance Measures KW - Dual Purpose Casks KW - Independent Surveillance PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-57705 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Komann, Steffen A1 - Ballheimer, Viktor A1 - Quercetti, Thomas A1 - Scheidemann, Robert A1 - Wille, Frank T1 - Design assessment by bam of a new package design for the transport of snf from a german research reactor N2 - For disposal of the German research reactor of the Technical University Munich FRM II a new transport and storage cask design was under approval assessment by the German authorities. The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) assessed the mechanical and thermal package safety and performed drop tests. The activity release approaches and subjects of quality assurance and surveillance for manufacturing and operation of the package were assessed by BAM as well. The cask body is made of ductile cast iron and closed by two bolted lid systems with metal seals. The material of the lids is stainless steel. On each end of the cask a wood-filled impact limiter is installed to reduce impact loads to the cask under drop test conditions. In the cavity of the cask a basket for five spent fuel assemblies is arranged. For the safety case a combination of experimental testing and analytical/numerical calculations were applied. In total, four drop tests were carried out at the BAM large drop test facility. Two tests were carried out as a full IAEA drop test sequence consisting of a 9m drop test onto an unyielding target and a 1m puncture bar drop test. The other two drop test were performed as single 9m drop tests and completed by additional analyses for considering the effects of an IAEA drop test sequence. The main objectives of the drop tests were the investigation of the integrity of the package and its safety against release of radioactive material as well as the test of the fastening system of the impact limiters. Furthermore, the acceleration and strain signals measured during the tests were used for the verification of Finite-Element-Analysis (FEA) used for the safety analysis of the package design. The finite-element models incorporated in the package design safety report include the cask body, the lid system, the inventory and the impact limiters with the fastening system. In this context special attention was paid to the modeling of the encapsulated wood-filled impact limiters. Additional calculations using the verified numerical models were done by the applicant and assessed by BAM to investigate e.g. the brittle fracture of the cask body made of ductile cask iron within the package design approval procedure. This paper describes the package design assessment from the view of the competent authority BAM including the applied assessment strategy, the conducted drop tests and the additional calculations by using numerical and analytical methods. T2 - 19th International Symposium on the Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Materials PATRAM 2019 CY - New Orleans, LA, USA DA - 04.08.2019 KW - Numerical modelling KW - Drop test KW - Assessment method KW - Ductile cast iron KW - Package design KW - Experimental testing PY - 2019 SP - Paper 1176, 1 AN - OPUS4-49054 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -