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The current German waste management strategy consists of dry interim storage of spent fuel inside dual purpose casks at various sites and its subsequent direct final disposal in a deep geological repository. Interim facilities are licensed for up to 40 years of operation but this storing period will have to be extended until repository site selection and operation is concluded, potentially up to 100 years. In this context, research on long term mechanical behavior of fuel cladding and cask components during extended interim storage and transportation to a final repository are of outmost importance.
Barrier properties of the fuel cladding depend on its integrity which is affected over time by thermo-mechanical loads and by microstructure altering including potential embrittlement caused by re-oriented hydride precipitation. Experimental and numerical investigations have been performed by the international research community in order to predict the degree of cladding embrittlement against storage time. Results have shown that embrittlement of cladding materials is governed by the concentration, orientation and size of precipitated hydrides. Nevertheless, the existing variety of fuel materials and assemblies available on the market and the many parameters effecting hydride precipitation do not allow sufficient reliable safety predictions in the long term without further investigation.
Thus, knowledge on cladding integrity over storage time and during subsequent transportation is to be gained taking into consideration the relevant fuel and cladding material types as well as cladding temperatures along with peak values during cask drying and cooling rates during storage periods. Expected research results will increase the accuracy of cladding safety analysis. This paper summarizes the current German status regarding extended interim storage and how BAM is going to identify and address potential cladding integrity issues in the long term.
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.
Perspectives on extending interim storage of spent nuclear fuel (beyond the initial license period)
(2017)
The presentation adddresses the consequences and challenges of the German nuclear phase-out in conjunction with the restart of siting process for a high-level radioactive waste repository. Concerning spent fuel this will lead to extended interim storage periods for the dry storage casks beyond the initial licensing period of 40 years.
For extending storage periods additional safety assessments and data about the long term performance of materials, components and casks will be needed and BAM has already been lauching specific R&D projects addressing identified data gaps.