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In Germany, the concept of dry interim storage in dual purpose metal casks before disposal is being pursued for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high level waste (HLW) management. The main safety relevant components are the thick-walled dual purpose metal casks. These casks consist e.g. of a monolithic cask body with integrated neutron shielding components (polymers, e.g. polyethylene) and a monitored double lid barrier system equipped with metal and elastomer seals. The metal seals of this bolted closure system guarantee the required leak-tightness whereas the elastomer seals allow for leakage rate measurement of the metal seals.
This presentation provides an overview of BAM proactive R&D projects related to the long-term behavior and degradation effects of metal seals, elastomer seals and polyethylene used as neutron shielding material. Particular attention is paid to the approach and first results of the third-party-founded research project LaMEP with the aim of further closure of existing knowledge gaps of safety relevant aging effects of such cask components.
The safe and secure long term storage of spent nuclear fuel until its final disposal in a deep geological repository is a corner stone of the German nuclear waste management strategy. So far interim storage licenses are limited to 40 years concerning the initial concept of having a repository available until 2035. But in the meantime the exploration of the designated Gorleben salt dome was finally stopped and a reset of the complete site selection process was concluded by the German Federal parliament and subsequently fixed by law. A 33-member “Commission on the storage of highly radioactive materials” was established in 2014, to elaborate a consent based siting process and to develop criteria for the safe disposal of heat generating waste. The disposal commission agreed and published its final report in 2016.
As a major consequence, the necessary timeframe for establishing the final repository is going to be exceeded significantly and with that, an extension of the current dry interim storage in dual purpose casks becomes necessary. This paper explains the major actions to be taken in Germany to address all relevant issues for a future extension of storage licenses beyond the initial timeframe of 40 years.