ML20011F503
| ML20011F503 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/21/1990 |
| From: | Taylor J NRC OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS (EDO) |
| To: | |
| References | |
| TASK-PII, TASK-SE SECY-90-058, SECY-90-58, NUDOCS 9003060151 | |
| Download: ML20011F503 (2) | |
Text
(.-
m
, /. " * %. :
RELEASED TO THE PDR l
\\.
I l
.8/A7/90 l
t,%,,,,,./l...'.cate'............ /..is l
in?
February 21, 1990 SECY-90-058 Fort The Commissioners (lnformgtjon)
From:
James M. Taylor Executive Director for Operations
Subject:
PROGRESS MADE BY U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) AND THE INDUSTRY TO DEVELOP CASK DESIGNS TO ACHIEVE COMPATIBILITY FOR DRY STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION PURPOSES
Purpose:
To inform the Comission of progress made by DOE and the industry in addressing potential compatibility problems between dry spent fuel storage system designs and offsite transportation of spent fuel from such systems, without need to return fuel to reactor basins.
Sumary:
In response to the Comission's concern about the need to ensure compatibility of various steps in the storage, transportation, and disposal of spent fuel to enhance the safety and efficiency of fuel handling DOE and industry have continued to actively pursue resolution of this issue.
The principal mechanism for DOE-industry cooperation is through DOE's preparation of its Annual Capacity Report (ACR).
Planning for acceptance of utility spent fuel by DOE is integral to report preparation. The Utility Nuclear Waste and Transportation Program, in concert with the U. S. Council on Energy Awareness, acted to form an ACR Steering Comittee.
The Committee has worked with DOE in identifying issues for resolution, including transportation interface issues. Two issues under consideration tre acceptance and handling.of dual purpose casks and MultwElement Sealed Canisters (e.g.,
the sealed canisters for dry storage in Nutech Horizontal Modular System (NUHOMS) concrete module and stainless steel canister systems at the H. B. Robinson 2 and Oconee nuclear power plant sites).
Dry storage system vendors have pursued resolution of compatibility problems in independent actions as well.
Nuclear Assurance Corporation (NAC) will submit a dual purpose cask design to the Nuclear Regulatory Comission (NRC) this year.
In parallel at:tions, NAC will submit this i
sumer an application for dry storage cask design approval, I
and an application for transportation cask approval af ter cask drop testing is completed.
1 0
Contact:
Roberts, NMSS g
NOTE:
To BE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN 10 WORKING 1
s YCD$OloO/$ / )(h DAYS FROM T!!E DATE OF j
m
, pe Commissioners 2
T y-Pacific Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (PNFSI, formerly NUTECH, Inc.)hasdiscussedwithNRCstaffitsplannedsubmittalof a topical report for the design of a stainless steel
[
canister (from its NUHOM-24P system) for approval under f
Part 71 as a sealed transportation cask basket.
PNFSI has also announced that this is part of a cooperative effort i
with Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Electric Power Research Institute, and NVHOMS utilities (Duke Power Company and l
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company). PNFSI also seeks to develop a transportation cask for NUHOMS-24P-type canister i
i shipment.
On January 24, 1990, this group met with DOE to discuss possible DOE participation in the first step of this i
phased development, submittal of the canister design topical l
report.
DOE indicated moral support for this effort.
Regardless of whether DOE provides financial support, PNFSI plans to submit to NRC staff the topical report for the I
canister design. PNFSI will submit a letter of its intent i
to do so this month (February 1990).
l This summer Public Service Company of Colorado will submit an application for dry spent fuel storage at its Fort St. Vrain
]
high temperature gas reactor (HTGR) plant site.
The design j
chosen is a modified Modular Vault Dry Store (MVDS) design f
i by TW Energy Applications, Inc.
Since the Fort St. Vrain plant f
is to be fully deconsissioned with termination of the Part 50 operating license (OL), the modified MVDS is being designed i
to operate after OL termination and to accept shipping casks for direct shipment of HTGR spent fuel offsite.
t Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards staff members continue to address the Comission's concern for a safe and l
efficient back end of the fuel cycle in interactions with i
00E and the industry in spent fuel transportation and dry I
storage activities.
DOE and industry have responded to the i
Comission's concern positively by initiating actions aimed at resolving this issue, j
/
-CvC-J s M. Taylor i
ecutive Director i
for Operations l,
DISTRIBUTION:
Commissioners t
GPA REGIONAL OFFICES l
i
__-