Research Reactor Spent Fuel Management Options And Support To Decision Making

This publication, resulting from an IAEA coordinated research project (CRP), provides information about available strategies for research reactor spent fuel management, and presents a decision methodology to assist those selecting among several options, to identify the preferred approach for their specific situation. The decision support tools were developed to consider not only the cost of the possible research reactor spent fuel management strategies, but also the non-economic factors that might influence their selection. Examples of the technologies that are currently used by some IAEA Member States are provided. Additionally, this publication provides information about the Excel based decision-support tools developed as part of this CRP, along with case studies and tutorials to assist users.

This publication sets out the results of an IAEA research project on the management of spent fuel from research reactors in the Latin America region, focusing on national strategies in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru. Topics discussed include: options for operational and interim storage, spent fuel conditioning and reprocessing, transport and final disposal.

This publication provides an introduction to the management of research reactor spent nuclear fuel (RRSNF). Five key areas are discussed: types of RRSNF, characterization data, wet storage considerations, dry storage considerations, and lessons learned and current practices. Information on internationally accepted standards as well as information on aspects such as drying treatment and surveillance programmes are presented, as well as suggestions for further optimization of effective and safe storage of RRSNF through the application of new approaches. The intended users of this publication include industry professionals at operating research reactors and at RRSNF storage facilities who need to identify the most suitable approach for interim storage of spent fuel.

With the continuing accumulation of spent fuel at reactor sites, the demand for additional storage of spent fuel at AFR (away from reactor) facilities is growing. It is an issue for most Member States generating nuclear power, including those countries pursuing reprocessing. There are a diversity of technical options and services available which offer competitive, reliable solutions to meet the storage requirements. In particular, dry storage technologies have been widely applied. The selection of the most appropriate product or service among the range of options available for a project involves the consideration of a number of factors, both technical and non-technical. This publication is intended to provide a review of the key factors associated with selection of an option for AFR facilities for spent fuel storage, together with a discussion of the generic methodology for the decision making, thereby providing guidance on practical approaches to project implementation.

Spent fuel management encompasses all the activities associated with the handling, transport, storage, processing and eventual disposal of spent nuclear fuel following its discharge from the reactor. The time-scale for commitment to the safe management of spent fuel is expected to be several decades, until such time as the eventual disposal arrangements have been engineered. The purpose of this document is to assist Member States to establish policies and national arrangements for spent fuel management in a structured and timely manner.

This publication presents the proceedings of the IAEA International Conference on the Management of Spent Fuel from Nuclear Power Reactors, held in 2019, with the theme 'Learning from the Past, Enabling the Future'. The purpose of the event was to provide a forum for the exchange of information on national spent fuel management strategies and on the ways in which a changing energy mix could influence these strategies and on how they support the achievement of national energy goals. The broad scope of the conference covered all stages of the management of spent fuel from the past, present and future technologies, and how it can be affected by the decisions taken in the rest of the nuclear fuel cycle. The event brought together experts from countries with decades of nuclear power operating experience and those from countries currently developing or considering a nuclear power programme. The importance of sharing data, operational experience, lessons learned and international collaboration in research and development (R&D) activities, and how its development and implementation can lead to attainable solutions was highlighted. Special attention was given to the young generation of professionals to support bridging the gap with the current ageing industry workforce.