The role of technological innovation for dry storage of used nuclear fuel H.Issard – June 2010.

The role of technological innovation for dry storage of used nuclear fuel

H.Issard – June 2010

International conference on management of spent fuel from nuclear power reactors– June 2010

Summary

The innovation mandate Mission & Objectives

Key performances

Innovation areas

Innovation process Main steps of the Process

Methods & tools for innovation

Examples of Innovations

Conclusion


innovation mandate

Mission and objective Innovation is a keystone for the strategy of the back end,

Need to integrate evolutions and New technologies

Nuclear utilities needs evolve

Additional payload, acceptance of higher discharge burnups and easier licensing process

Key performances Storage capacity and economical performance

Safety and ease of licensing

Ease of operation and reduction of doses of operators

Impact of selected technology on sustainable development

Impact of selected technology on proliferation issues


innovation areas

Storage equipment design Cost, capacity, flexibility of the storage system

Interfaces for handling, loading and transfer Tie down designs

Quick evacuation procedure

Justification methodology Modelisation

Knowledge of safety margins

Material behaviour for longer periods

Damaged fuels


innovation process

Innovation process Perform regular interviews with customers and utilities

Access, capture and reuse of experience feedback and knowledge

Creativity and idea generation

Screen ideas for added value

Selection of ideas and R&D plan

Factors of success Participatory innovation : creation, collaboration, communication

Involvement of everyone, including top management

incentives


Innovation process , methods

AREVA logistics open space of innovation : ID school Initiatives : creativity groups

Express ideas through drawings, models

Creative ambiance, develop participatory innovation


Innovation process, methods

Methods to galvanize innovation Brainstorming, Triz, etc

Creativity method developed by AREVA : method EFICA ®

EXPLORE (Exploration, Impregnation):

Identify all the aspects of the problem without paying too much attention to the aspect which brought the problem to light; look at it from all angles without any prejudices or preconceived ideas, become immersed in it and take it on board

FORMALIZE (Expression, Analysis, Formulation, Incubation): Analyze and structure in detail the formulation of the problem and all its components and break it down into targeted areas of research; specify objectives, requirements and selection criteria

IDEAS (Creation, Ideas, Enrichment, Inspiration) :Put together and produce for each area of research a large number of solutions and original ideas; deepen and enrich ideas

CONSTRUCTION (Prioritization, Choice, Valorisation): :Range, prioritize, select ideas following the previously defined selection criteria; combine and enrich ideas (cross-fertilization)

ACTION (Application, Organisation, Action Plan) :

For any solution, build an action plan, i.e. a program with detailed facts and figures for implementation

Every step

is the result of a

divergent and a

convergent phase

I

A

C

E

F


Tools for innovation

Tools for management of ideas Ideas are welcome

Idea management data bank (example ID HALL)

Regularly, a committee evaluates each new idea: Apply Stand by Rejected



Baskets : High performance design solutions for sub-criticality Trend towards high burn-ups for LWR fuels ( 60 000 MWd/tHM for the EPR)

higher fissile contents = higher U-235 enrichments (5%) or higher plutonium contents for MOX. Sub-criticality is guaranteed by the basket geometry and the material. real challenge to design high capacity baskets. Use of a family of borated alloys : Borated stainless steel plates or Metal matrix composites, formed by casting, powder metal processes.

All characteristics (composition, mechanical) have been studied, including the homogeneity of Boron content and the resistance to corrosion in borated water; they are satisfactory. Boralyn™ with 15% B4C is an example of high performance materials for sub-criticality: it can be used for the structural resistance of the baskets. There is also the new Boron Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) material with an aluminium matrix and up to 25% B4C.



Innovation in containment A new type of fluorocarbon O-ring gaskets has been developed and qualified

to keep the guaranteed leak rate for a large range of temperatures -40°C to 200°C.

The long term behaviour at high temperature of EPDM O-ring gaskets has been studied with innovative methodology , to establish time-limit versus temperature for EPDM O-rings.



Mitigation of hydrogen risk For the mitigation of hydrogen risk in the cavity of casks, several catalytic

recombiners have been developed and qualified, with a sufficient capacity to stabilise the hydrogen concentration bellow the flammability limit. In cooperation with French research institute IRCELYON.

Recombiner (dry conditions) Recombiner dry /wet Box for recombiners



Complete range of high performance neutron shielding materials

TN has developed high performance neutron shielding materials resisting to fire tests (self extinguishing) : TN® VYAL B, TN® HYPOP and TN® BORA for sub-criticality. These materials are adapted to different thermal environments and can be selected depending the temperature of use.

Solutions for thermal and structural management

For a given metallic containment vessel containing a given number of used fuels, the necessary thickness of neutron shielding material increases when Burnup of fuel increases. Innovation : a better heat evacuation system to compensate the negative effect of thermal insulation of neutron shielding material (polymers are generally low heat-conductive materials) : thermal conductors, fins, special surface treatments, and minimizing gap between cask inner wall/basket .



Spent fuel dry storage systems TN®DUO

Storage Transport



Spent fuel dry storage systems TN®NOVA

Cannister Overpack transport cask


Conclusion

The role of innovation for the management of used fuel is to bring important benefits in term of performance, safety and public acceptance.

With innovation, the nuclear industry, and especially the back end is looking towards the long term and engaged in preparing a future with less CO2 emissions.

The role of technological innovation for dry storage of used nuclear fuel H.Issard – June 2010.

Documents

Transcript of The role of technological innovation for dry storage of used nuclear fuel H.Issard – June 2010.