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DOE OSTI · 2202410

TRANSPORTATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR USED FUEL AND ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES

Bhowmik, Palash Kumar·Islam, Md. Shafiqul·Sabharwall, Piyush
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Abstract

This study focuses on requirements and challenges pertaining to advanced transportable nuclear energy systems, which are currently in development and feature varying degrees of mobility. These reactors mostly use high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU) fuel, and only limited refueling is required during their lifecycles. Due to the smaller source terms, higher burnup fuel, and potentially higher thermal efficiency involved, the waste inventory will be less than that generated by conventional light-water reactors. However, the relevant regulatory requirements must be met when transporting HALEU fuel (whether fresh or used) inside the reactor vessel—mainly the fuel material transportation, siting, and physical protection requirements outlined in US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations 10 CFR 71 and 73. Spent nuclear fuel (SNF), as well as irradiated fuel (used during any interval of reactor operation), contains highly radioactive materials that generate heat and necessitate special precautions during transportation. This study addresses the challenges that this incurs, and outlines potential solutions.

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11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS42 ENGINEERING46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUSadvanced reactorsnuclear energy technologyTransportation considerationused nuclear fuel

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Bhowmik, Palash Kumar, Islam, Md. Shafiqul, Sabharwall, Piyush. 2023-08-30. TRANSPORTATION CONSIDERATIONS FOR USED FUEL AND ADVANCED NUCLEAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/2202410

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