Modelling of RBMK-1500 SNF storage casks activation during very long term storage

Ernestas Narkunas; Arturas Smaizys; Povilas Poskas; Valdas Ragaisis

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.06.015

Modelling of RBMK-1500 SNF storage casks activation during very long term storage

Appl Radiat Isot. 2016 Sep:115:100-108. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.06.015. Epub 2016 Jun 16.

Authors

Ernestas Narkunas¹, Arturas Smaizys², Povilas Poskas², Valdas Ragaisis²

Affiliations

¹ Lithuanian Energy Institute, Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, Breslaujos str. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania. Electronic address: ernestas.narkunas@lei.lt.
² Lithuanian Energy Institute, Nuclear Engineering Laboratory, Breslaujos str. 3, 44403 Kaunas, Lithuania.

PMID: 27344524
DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2016.06.015

Abstract

Existing interim spent nuclear fuel storage facility (SNFSF) at Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania is fully loaded with CASTOR(®)RBMK-1500 and CONSTOR(®)RBMK-1500 storage casks. The planned lifetime of these casks is 50 years and the first loaded cask was moved to the SNFSF in 1999. The start of operation of disposal facility in Lithuania is foreseen later than the planned interim storage ends. So, the possibilities to extend the storage period over 50 years should be considered. Therefore, the casks decommissioning issues should be taken into account, as due to prolonged neutron irradiation casks materials could became activated. This paper presents modelling results of storage casks neutron activation during 300 year storage period. Modelling results show, that after 50 years of storage, side-wall and bottom of CASTOR(®)RBMK-1500 cask are activated above clearance criteria. However, for 100-300 year storage period all of the casks components could be free released.

Keywords: CASTOR(®)RBMK-1500 and CONSTOR(®)RBMK-1500 storage casks; Irradiated materials; Neutron activation; Spent nuclear fuel.