ML21035A286
| ML21035A286 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 02/11/2021 |
| From: | Singh K Holtec |
| To: | Office of Congressional Affairs, NRC/SECY |
| References | |
| M210211 | |
| Download: ML21035A286 (5) | |
Text
www.holtec.com Dry Storage Technology Providers Perspective on SNF Licensing Current Topics & Innovations Dr. Kris Singh President & CEO, Holtec International Discussion of NRCs Regulatory Framework for Dry Cask Storage and Transportation of Spent Nuclear Fuel and Related Research Activities February 11, 2021
www.holtec.com l Page 2 Dry Storage Regulatory Status Since its original evolution in the 1980s, technology for spent fuel storage has advanced immensely and is supported today by a large body of regulatory literature in the form of 10 CFR Part 71 & 72, NUREGs, ISGs, SERs, etc., issued by the USNRC The licensing process is efficient and effective; application review is rigorous and disciplined Each application undergoes an extensive review, ensuring high quality and requiring few revisions There has not been a single release of radioactive material using U.S. technology; this success speaks to the robustness of the regulatory process and dry storage program in the U.S.
The industry needs the NRC to continue its rigorous Risk-Informed Regulation, which has led to an unbroken string of successful dry storage deployments The NRCs Rules of Engagement calls for a science-based process, which has been extremely effective in enabling robust designs
www.holtec.com l Page 3 Role of Innovation in Protection of Public Health & Safety Innovations in dry storage have been focused on protecting the fuel, the workers and the environment, and strengthening storage systems against beyond-design-basis events Examples of Innovations:
In 2005, Holtecs HI-STORM dry storage system was licensed by the NRC for a planned consolidated interim storage facility in Utah Today, Holtecs HI-STORE CISF, which uses Holtecs underground storage technology, is undergoing certification for deployment in New Mexico An array of aboveground steel buttressed casks that were shown by complex analysis to be able to survive a crashing F-16 fighter plane As a subterranean fortress, HI-STORM UMAX denies access to manned/unmanned missiles, provides nearly complete radiation blockage and is indestructible under any terrestrial earthquake recorded
www.holtec.com l Page 4 In the 1990s, the shortest duration after which a plant could move spent fuel from wet storage pools into dry storage was 7 years; Today, it is less than 3 years This means at least 4 years of enhanced safety for spent fuel storage at a decommissioning site Through technology innovation, we have drastically reduced the fuel temperature in a fuel pool under dry pool conditions, which is a vast improvement in nuclear safety at decommissioning sites Robust robotic welder was developed and deployed, which has significantly reduced the dose received during loading campaigns Holtec Innovations (Contd)
Pool to Pad Transfer at Holtecs Pilgrim Decommissioning Site Holtecs Portable Robotic Welder
www.holtec.com l Page 5 MPC Weld Seam Shown in Blue -
Laser Peened for Use at SONGS Extending the MPCs service life Technologies are available to inspect the canisters for potential degradation under aging management program Robust manufacturing processes are employed Laser Peening of the weld seams, a 21st century innovation, eliminates a root cause of canister stress corrosion at marine sites New technologies unveiled to arrest the aging of the canister pressure boundary such as progressive constriction of air flow vents Numerous other innovations are being developed and used in the industry to further protect the fuel from degradation in storage, and to protect the workers and the public Holtec Innovations (Contd)