Nuclear Plant Journal, May-June 2014 NuclearPlantJournal.com
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canisters are loaded at a customer site,
the final welds are done in the field,
so we need to find a different way to
relieve stress. Since chloride-induced
stress corrosion cracking also needs the
presence of chlorides, we are looking at
sites in coastal and marine environments,
and
conducting
inspections
and
collecting data to better understand this
phenomenon.
These actions are all undertaken to
innovate new technologies and improve
safety and performance while lowering
costs.
3.
What is AREVA doing to estimate the
life expectancy of dry fuel storage?
We are actively developing inspection
techniques that allow for the inspection
and monitoring of these canisters for as
long as they are in interim storage. The
official license renewal is for 40 more
years, but we’re working to address how
long fuel will need to be stored, possibly
50 to 100 years. Further, the DOE has
stated publicly that the earliest date for
an operating geological repository for
used nuclear fuel is 2048. If that date is
correct, some of these systems will be 80
years old when the repository first opens.
We’re in the process of extending
the license for the dry storage systems
for an additional 40 years, similar to
what is being done for the reactors, and
we can extend it longer if necessary. It’s
a very passive system. Regardless of the
amount of time, it’s important to have
effective techniques to monitor for signs
of degradation and to make repairs, if
necessary.
4.
What is AREVA’s perspective on a
long-term fuel disposal solution in the
United States?
First, we need to focus on safety and
sustainability. We need to demonstrate to
the world that nuclear power is a viable
source of sustainable energy. Our ability
to manage the back-end of the fuel cycle
effectively is a significant component to
ensuring nuclear power’s sustainability.
Thirty-five years ago, the United States
chose to implement a once-through
fuel cycle, but at AREVA, we advocate
that all options be kept on the table.
Recycling offers more options. The waste
that comes out after recycling is vitrified
and is designed to last millions of years
in safe storage. We are strong advocates
of recycling as an additional tool for the
United States. This is not a technology
issue; we already have the technology.
It is a political and policy issue that will
need to be addressed if we are actively
going to address climate change. Nuclear
energy will be needed for emission-free
energy.
There are proven, reliable and
economical technologies for recycling
nuclear fuel today. These technologies
provide the nuclear industry in France
with many options for safely managing
their used nuclear fuel. In the United
States, we need to develop a long-term
plan for managing the back-end of the
fuel cycle.
Interim storage is an important
tool, but it’s not a solution. It provides
flexibility as we work toward a permanent
solution.
In addition to developing a long-term
solution for fuel disposition, we need to
have a robust infrastructure in place for
transporting used nuclear fuel. In France,
the recycling facility in La Hague receives
about 250 shipments of used nuclear fuel
each year, which is equivalent to about one
shipment each working day. This amounts
to approximately 1,200 tons of used nuclear
