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Organisationseinheit der BAM
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level radioactive waste as well as in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level radioactive waste, extended periods of interim storage become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and especially responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues.
The long-term performance of elastomer seals for lid systems of transport and storage casks, whether used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel casks or as primary seals for low and intermediate level waste packages, is an important issue in this context. The polymeric structure of these seals causes a complex mechanical behavior with time-dependent sealing force reduction.
The results of a comprehensive purpose-designed test program consisting of basic compression and tension tests as well as relaxation tests on unaged specimens of representative types of elastomers (fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM)) at different temperatures and strain rates are presented. They were used to identify the constitutive behavior and to obtain parameters for finite element material models provided by the computer code ABAQUS®. After estimating the influence of uncertainties such as Poisson’s ratio and friction coefficient by sensitivity analyses, the chosen parameters had to prove their suitability for the finite element simulation of the specimen tests themselves.
Based on this preliminary work the simulation of a specific laboratory test configuration containing a typical elastomer seal with circular cross section is presented. The chosen finite element material model and the implemented parameters had to show that they are able to represent not only the specimen behavior under predominantly uniaxial load but also the more complex stress states in real components. Deviations between the measured and calculated results are pointed out and discussed.
For the consideration of long-term effects in the simulation of elastomer behavior, test results of aged specimens are needed. First information about a new test program, started recently and planned to provide these data, are given.
Testing and numerical simulation of elastomeric seals under consideration of time dependent effects
(2016)
Due to delays in the siting procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and in construction of the already licensed Konrad repository for low and intermediate level waste, extended periods of interim storage will become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and is responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues. Elastomeric seals are widely used as barrier seals for containers for low and intermediate level radioactive waste. In addition they are also used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel storage and transportation casks (dual purpose casks (DPC)).
To address the complex requirements resulting from the described applications, BAM has initiated several test programs for investigating the behavior of elastomeric seals. These include experiments concerning the hyperelastic and viscoelastic behavior at different temperatures and strain rates, the low temperature performance down to -40°C, the influence of gamma irradiation and the aging behavior.
The first part of the paper gives an overview of these tests, their relevant results and their possible impact on BAM’s work as a consultant in the framework of approval and licensing procedures.
The second part presents an approach of the development of a finite element model using the finite element code ABAQUS®. The long-term goal is to simulate the complex elastomeric behavior in a complete lid closure system under specific operation and accident conditions.
Due to delays in the site-selection procedure to establish a deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel and high level waste and in construction of the already licensed Konrad-repository for low and intermediate level waste without heat generation, extended periods of interim storage become more relevant in Germany. BAM is involved in most of the cask licensing procedures and especially responsible for the evaluation of cask-related long-term safety issues.
The long-term performance of elastomer seals for lid Systems of transport and storage casks whether used as auxiliary seals in spent fuel caslcs or as primary seals for low and intermediate level waste packages is an important issue in this context (Jaunich, 2013; Jaunich, 2014; Kömmling, 2015). The polymeric structure of these seals causes a complex mechanical behaviour with time-dependent elasticity reduction and loss of elastic recovery.
The paper presents first results of a comprehensive test Programme consisting of several static and dynamic mechanical short- and long-term tests which have been carried out at BAM on specimens made of representative types of elastomers, fluorocarbon rubber (FKM) and ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM). The investigation of the test results used to identify material models and their Parameters as well as the development of two finite element models for the numerical Simulation of tension and compression tests using the finite element code ABAQUS® are described. The calculation results are presented in comparison to the test results. The influence of important material and test parameters was investigated and discussed in sensitivity analyses.
Existing spent nuclear fuel (SF) and high active waste (HAW) management policies and practices worldwide are the result of past presumptions that sufficient reprocessing and/or disposal capacity would be available in the near term. Consequently, in the past many countries have developed specific solutions for different periods of time due to their individual national nuclear policies.
In Germany the concept of dry interim storage in dual purpose metal casks before disposal is being pursued for SF and HAW management and transport and storage licenses have been issued accordingly. The current operation licenses for existing storage facilities have been granted for a storage period of up to 40 years. This concept has demonstrated its suitability for over 20 years so far. Relevant safety requirements haven been assessed for the short-term as well as for the long-term for site-specific operational and accidental storage conditions. But in the meantime significant delays in the national repository siting procedure occured which will make extended storage periods necessary in the future.
This paper describes the current situation in Germany with regard to dry cask storage and focuses on current perspectives considering regulatory, technical, and scientific aspects for storage license renewal. Since there is one case of a storage license limitation to only 20 years due to administrative reasons, first experience is currently gathered in case of an expiring storage license. Subsequent license options have been pursued intensively including the extension of the initial storage license as well as shipping all casks to another storage facility considering an extended storage period at that storage facility as well. All safety relevant aspects have to be reviewed on basis of the current state-of-the-art which might be different from the initial safety demonstrations. That includes new safety assessment standards as well as improved knowledge base. Major issues are e.g. improved accident scenario analyses, assessment methods, and consideration of aging effects from previous operation periods. Inspection programs with respect, e.g. to bolts and seals to verify leak-tightness and lid screw pre-stress have been initiated to demonstrate proper cask conditions for extended storage as well as transportation to another storage facility.
The Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung (BAM) is a federal institute for materials research and testing in Germany and has been involved in the qualification and safety evaluation procedures of metal seals from the early beginning of the interim storage licensing procedures for radioactive materials, stored in dual purpose casks. Regarding this subject, BAM investigates the long-term behavior of metal seals under the influence of temperature using experimental data and analytical approaches. The development of numerical models is in progress as well. Systematic experimental investigations performed by BAM indicate a continuous decrease of the remaining seal force and the usable resilience considering the leak tightness. Hence, there is a fundamental interest of describing time and temperature dependency to gain predictable values for the long-term behavior and to achieve reliable results with help of short-term tests.
The paper gives an overview about the sealing principle, test program and test results of metal seals of the type HELICOFLEX® HN200. The aging effect, respectively the long-term behavior in dependency of time and temperature, are introduced for two different outer liner materials, aluminum and silver.
The German nuclear waste management strategy consists of dry interim storage of spent fuel inside dual purpose casks and its subsequent direct final disposal in a deep geological repository. Interim storage is limited to 40 years so far, but will have to be extended until repository site selection and operation is concluded, potentially up to 100 years. In this context, research on the long term performance of safety relevant cask components and fuel rod integrity during such extended periods of time is of outmost importance. The barrier function of the fuel cladding depends on its integrity under operational and accidental conditions along with storage and subsequent transportation and is mainly affected over time by altering of the cladding microstructure and by thermo-mechanical conditions during reactor operation and subsequent wet and dry storage.
This paper focuses on failure mechanisms regarding cladding embrittlement caused by physical phenomena concerning hydrogen dissolution and precipitation of hydrides in the zirconium matrix. Within this context, potential cladding integrity issues under extended interim storage conditions followed by transportation are emphasized.
Delayed hydride cracking (DHC) is a well-known time-dependent temperature-activated phenomenon failure mechanism of the fuel cladding during reactor operation. The phenomenon consists of hydrogen diffusion and hydride precipitation at the tip of an initial crack and the propagation of the crack to an approximate distance equal to the length of the hydride. This failure mechanism is temperature-activated phenomenon and enhances along with thermal cycling of the fuel cladding, e. g. during reactor shutdowns. DHC shows limited relevance under quasi static storage conditions with continuously lowering temperatures. However, the literature points that DHC may occur when the temperature during storage decreases to a certain level after some decades and in combination with stress concentrations in the cladding material.
When spent fuel is transferred to dry storage by vacuum drying, the cladding temperature raises up to peak temperatures of ~370°C. Under these conditions, hydrides dissolute into the zirconium matrix up to the solubility limit defined by the peak temperature and this amount of hydrogen can precipitate in a radial re-oriented fashion due to the temperature decrease during storage. Cladding materials with radially precipitated hydrides show significant embrittlement. Radially oriented hydrides are perpendicularly oriented to hoop stresses representing the most critical configuration. Brittle failure of the cladding then occurs by crack propagation through radially oriented hydrides and finally through the zirconium matrix. The susceptibility to radial hydride precipitation depends on cladding material type and microstructure, hydrogen content, pre-drying hydride distribution, irradiation conditions, and temperature and stress histories during drying and storage operations.
This paper addresses major considerations concerning spent fuel cladding embrittlement due to hydride precipitation with regard to the boundary conditions of dry spent fuel storage in Germany. Analytical, numerical, and experimental approaches are to be discussed by BAM in order to identify the specific needs for future R&D work in that area with the purpose to provide the necessary data base for proper safety demonstration and evaluation along with future extended storage licensing procedures.
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.