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Carter, Joe

Publications and source records attributed to Carter, Joe.

At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Analysis of Solutions for the Geologic Disposal of Dual-Purpose Canisters

Commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is accumulating at 72 sites across the U.S., at the rate of about 2,000 metric tons of uranium (MTU) per year. There are currently more than 2,700 dualpurpose canisters (DPCs) loaded with SNF, which are designed for storage and transportation but not disposal. If current storage practices continue, about half the eventual total U.S. SNF inventory will be in about 5,500 dry storage systems by 2035, with the entire inventory stored in 10,000 or more by 2060. The quantity of SNF in DPCs is now much greater than that anticipated in the past, leading the DOE to investigate the technical feasibility of direct disposal of SNF in DPCs. Studies in 2013-2015 concluded that the main technical challenges for disposal of SNF in DPCs are thermal management, handling and emplacement of large, heavy waste packages, and postclosure criticality control (Hardin et al. 2015). Of these, postclosure criticality control is the most challenging, and the R&D needed for this aspect of DPC direct disposal is the primary focus of this report.

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DOE OSTI2019

Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste Inventory Report

This report provides information on the inventory of commercial spent fuel (SNF) and high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in the United States, as well as non-commercial SNF and HLW in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) complex. Actual or estimated quantitative values for current inventories are provided along with inventory forecasts derived from examining different future commercial nuclear power generation scenarios. The report also includes select information on the characteristics associated with the wastes examined (e.g., type, packaging, heat generation rate, decay curves). This report was produced for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to support various analyses on options for storage and transport of SNF and HLW and sponsored by DOE’s Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Disposition (SFWD). The report draws from and complements a previously issued report, Fuel Cycle Potential Waste Inventory for Disposition, developed for DOE’s Used Nuclear Fuel Research & Development Campaign. The current report is not intended as a revision to either Fuel Cycle Potential Waste Inventory for Disposition or Evaluation of Options for Permanent Geologic Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste in Support of a Comprehensive National Nuclear Fuel Cycle Strategy from which some underlying data is used as referenced in the current report. Rather, this report is intended as a stand-alone report providing estimates of current and projected SNF and HLW inventory and has been generated for SFWD planning purposes. This is a technical report that does not take into account contractual limitations or obligations under the Standard Contract for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or High-Level Radioactive Waste (Standard Contract) (10 CFR Part 961). For example, under the provisions of the Standard Contract, spent nuclear fuel in multi-assembly canisters is not an acceptable waste form, absent a mutually agreed to contract amendment. To the extent discussions or recommendations in this report conflict with the provisions of the Standard Contract, the Standard Contract governs the obligations of the parties, and this report in no manner supersedes, overrides, or amends the Standard Contract. This report reflects technical work which could support future decision making by DOE. No inferences should be drawn from this report regarding future actions by DOE, which are limited both by the terms of the Standard Contract and a lack of Congressional appropriations for the Department to fulfill its obligations under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act including licensing and construction of a spent nuclear fuel repository.

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DOE OSTI2017

Summary of Investigations on Technical Feasibility of Direct Disposal of Dual-Purpose Canisters

This report is a revision of the Fiscal Year (FY)-15 summary report on the investigations on technical feasibility of direct disposal of dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) in a geological repository. Notable progress has been made in the postclosure criticality area supporting direct disposal of DPCs in FY-16 and FY-17. As such, this revision updates the postclosure criticality related studies to capture the advances made over the last two FYs.

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DOE OSTI2017

Potential Cost Implications of an Interim Storage Facility for Commercial SNF+ - 17132

The question of whether or not consolidated interim storage of commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) should be part of the federal waste management system as an intermediate step before permanent disposal has been debated for more than four decades. This paper summarizes an evaluation of the cost implications of incorporating a consolidated interim storage facility (ISF) into the waste management system (WMS). In this study, the order-of-magnitude estimates of total system costs were calculated and tabulated. The analyzed scenarios involve shipment of SNF from reactors in dual-purpose storage and transportation canisters (DPCs) currently being used by utilities for dry storage at reactor sites. A number of pertinent conclusions can be drawn from this evaluation, including: - Delay in repository availability increases total system costs. Any delay in opening a repository increases total system costs, regardless of whether the system has an ISF or not. This is due to the increased cost associated with an extended duration for storage, whether at multiple independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSIs) or at an ISF, until waste can be disposed of.- There is a potential total system lifecycle cost avoidance in realistic scenarios with an ISF when compared to scenarios with no ISF. However, most of the cost avoidance occurs several decades after the ISF is opened. The total WMS cost differential over the long term is mainly attributed to the reduced operational costs of storing the fuel in a consolidated facility rather than at individual reactor sites. - Earlier establishment of an ISF allows for more avoidance of post-shutdown at-reactor storage costs for any repository opening date. An ISF allows earlier acceptance of fuel from reactors, which reduces at-reactor costs from a total system perspective. - Transportation costs have little impact on a WMS with or without an ISF. These impacts range from 3-11% of the total cost in all scenarios. Therefore, transporting the fuel twice does not appear to be a significant cost concern driver relative to other system costs. In conclusion, designing, licensing, and constructing an ISF will require a large near-term financial investment. However, reduced annual operating and maintenance costs for an integrated waste management system with an ISF, compared to a system without an ISF, could eventually result in system-wide (integrated) cost avoidance due to reductions in at-reactor storage costs in the long term. The largest cost avoidances would not occur for several decades, so assumptions about inflation, escalation, and discount rates will have a significant effect on potential economic impacts of an ISF. It should be noted that other benefits associated with the investment of an ISF-such as earlier removal of SNF from shutdown reactor sites, earlier prospects for site re-utilization, and additional overall integrated waste management system flexibility-were not addressed in this study. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2016

Cost Implications of an Interim Storage Facility in the Waste Management System

This report provides an evaluation of the cost implications of incorporating a consolidated interim storage facility (ISF) into the waste management system (WMS). Specifically, the impacts of the timing of opening an ISF relative to opening a repository were analyzed to understand the potential effects on total system costs.

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DOE OSTI2016

Overview of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy's Nuclear Fuel Storage and Transportation Planning Project

The U.S. Department Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is laying the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High- Level Radioactive Waste, and to develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization. The organization within DOE-NE that is responsible for this planning is the Office of Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation (NFST). The technical work to support this planning effort is being conducted by DOE's national laboratories. DOE's overarching goal is to develop options for decision-makers on the design of an integrated waste management system. The goal is to develop an integrated plan to (1) implement interim storage; (2) improve the overall integration of storage as a planned part of the waste management system; (3) prepare for the large-scale transportation of SNF and high-level waste (HLW), with an initial focus on removing SNF from the shutdown reactor sites; and (4) develop the foundational information, resources, and capabilities needed to support future implementation decisions and actions. Near-term objectives are to (1) develop and maintain an integrated plan to accomplish the Administration's Strategy goals, (2) improve integration of storage as a planned part of the waste management system, (including evaluating standardization of dry cask storage systems), (3) develop and evaluate design options for an integrated waste management system, (4) develop and apply systems analyses to provide quantitative estimates of system impacts of utility actions' impacts on the system and inform future decisions, (5) prepare for the large-scale transportation of SNF and HLW, (with an initial focus on removing SNF from the shutdown reactor sites), and (6) establish and maintain a unified, integrated SNF database and analysis system to characterize the input to the waste management system. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2016

Summary of Industry Task Orders Completed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy's Nuclear Fuel Storage and Transportation Planning Project

The Administration released its Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High- Level Radioactive Waste in January 2013. The Strategy includes a phased, adaptive, and consent-based approach to siting, and implementing a comprehensive management and disposal system. These plans include activities to establish one or more ISFs using consent-based siting and to prepare for large-scale transport of spent nuclear fuel (SNF). Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project (NFST) completed the following three Task Orders, using industry Advisory and Assistance Contracts related interim storage and transportation. These design concepts provide important information to the waste management systems analysis regarding throughput capacities, operational considerations, and cost estimates. - Generic Design Alternatives for Dry Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel- Chicago Bridge and Iron (CBandI) developed and documented generic design alternatives for receipt and storage of SNF and greater-than-class-C (GTCC) waste contained in dual-purpose canisters. - Generic Design for Small Size Standard Transportation, Aging, and Disposal Canister System- EnergySolutions developed a generic design of a small capacity (4 PWR/9 BWR) Standard Transportation, Aging, and Disposal (STAD) canister. - Operational Requirements for Standardized Dry Fuel Canister Systems- EnergySolutions developed solutions to address operational impacts of using a standardized canister at utility sites with a smaller capacity than conventional, dual-purpose canisters (DPC). (authors)

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DOE OSTI2015

Nuclear fuels storage and transportation planning project strategic crosscutting activities - 15180

The United States Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is conducting planning activities within the Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project (NFST) to lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste (Strategy), and to develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization. The NFST is organized into the following four major elements: 1) Consent-Based Siting, 2) Storage, 3) Transportation, and 4) Strategic Crosscuts. This paper discusses those activities underway in the NFST Strategic Crosscuts element. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2015

Overview of the DOE nuclear fuels storage and transportation planning project - 15444

The US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy is conducting planning activities within the Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project (NFST) to lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration's Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, and to develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization. The purpose of the NFST is to make progress on this important national issue within existing legislative and budgetary authorizations. The objective of the NFST is to develop and begin implementation of an integrated plan to (1) implement interim storage; (2) improve the overall integration of storage as a planned part of the waste management system; (3) prepare for the large-scale transportation of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste, with an initial focus on removing SNF from the shutdown reactor sites; and (4) develop foundational information, resources, and capabilities needed to support the aforementioned objectives and future implementation decisions and actions. An over-arching goal is to develop options for decision-makers on the design of an integrated waste management system. The planning activities are divided into four major topical areas: (1) Consent-Based Siting, (2) Storage, (3) Transportation, and (4) Strategic Crosscuts. This paper provides an overview of the NFST and its activities. (authors)

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DOE OSTI2015

Summary of Investigations on Technical Feasibility of Direct Disposal of Dual-Purpose Canisters

This study has evaluated the technical feasibility of direct disposal in a geologic repository, of commercial spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in dual-purpose canisters (DPCs) of existing designs. The authors, representing several national laboratories, considered waste isolation safety, engineering feasibility, thermal management, and postclosure criticality control. The 3-year study concludes that direct disposal is technically feasible for most DPCs, depending on the repository host geology. Postclosure criticality control, and thermal management strategies that allow permanent disposal within 150 years, are two of the most challenging aspects. This document summarizes technical results from a series of previous reports, and describes additional studies that can be done especially if site-specific information becomes available from one or more prospective repository sites.

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