ML21145A260

Advanced Reactors GEIS Docs - INL - Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuels FAQs

ML21145A260
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Issue date:	05/25/2021
From:	NRC
To:	NRC/NMSS/DREFS
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From:

Giacinto, Joseph Sent:

Tuesday, May 25, 2021 2:05 PM To:

AdvancedReactors-GEISDocsPEm Resource

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INL - Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuels FAQs Attachments:

INL 2020 FAQ.pdf

Frequently Asked Questions l Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel - INL https://inl.gov/...c/research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/frequently-asked-questions-research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/[9/22/2020 2:49:16 PM]

RESEARCH QUANTITIES OF COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR FUEL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS l RESEARCH QUANTITIES OF COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR FUEL WHAT IS SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL?

Nuclear fuel undergoes nuclear fission to sustain Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel Videos Images FAQs Media & Public Resources FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions l Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel - INL https://inl.gov/...c/research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/frequently-asked-questions-research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/[9/22/2020 2:49:16 PM]

READ MORE READ MORE READ MORE the chain reaction inside a nuclear reactor. The fuel is generally in the form of ceramic pellets encased in protective metal tubes to form fuel rods.

IS SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL DANGEROUS TO PEOPLE OR THE ENVIRONMENT?

Spent nuclear fuel can be managed in a way that protects both people and the environment. After undergoing fission inside a reactor core, nuclear fuel contains radioactive byproducts from the fission reactions.

DOES THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT BAN SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL SHIPMENTS TO IDAHO?

No, the 1995 Settlement Agreement allows the Department of Energy to send 55 metric tons (about 121,000 pounds) of its spent fuel to Idaho between 1995 and 2035. In 2011, Idaho and DOE agreed that research quantities of commercial fuel coming to INL for study would be counted against that total. In 2019, the two parties agreed to enhanced conditions under which small quantities material could be shipped to Idaho strictly for research purposes.

DOES THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT Trending Topics Fact Sheets Publications Lab Leadership Logos Images Videos Contact Kortny Rolston-Duce Phone: 208-526-1151 SEND KORTNY ROLSTON-DUCE A MESSAGE Share This Page

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Frequently Asked Questions l Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel - INL https://inl.gov/...c/research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/frequently-asked-questions-research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/[9/22/2020 2:49:16 PM]

PREVENT COMMERCIAL SPENT FUEL COMING TO IDAHO FOR STORAGE?

Commercial fuel cannot be sent to INL for the purpose of storage. Spent fuel from the Byron plant 25 rods containing about 100 pounds of heavy metal would be shipped to INL for critical research that INL is well-equipped to conduct.

IS IDAHO AT RISK OF BECOMING THE NATIONS DE FACTO SPENT FUEL REPOSITORY?

No. These 100-pound research samples are not waste that the Department of Energy or the industry are trying to get rid of. This material could help answer important scientific questions, and the volume is tiny compared to the existing inventory stored in Idaho (~600,000 pounds) and stored nationwide at commercial sites (150 million pounds).

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH?

Safe long-term storage of fuels from todays commercial nuclear reactors will require a better understanding of spent nuclear fuel properties after removal from the reactor. The 100-pound samples proposed for Idaho research are carefully selected, modern, commercial reactor fuel pellets that have the right characteristics to help answer important scientific questions.

WHY CANT THE RESEARCH BE DONE

Frequently Asked Questions l Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel - INL https://inl.gov/...c/research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/frequently-asked-questions-research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/[9/22/2020 2:49:16 PM]

ON FUEL THAT IS ALREADY HERE?

Todays commercial nuclear fuels are more efficient than those of the past, which has reduced costs for utilities and their customers. To maintain safe storage at utility locations around the U.S., the industry and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission need to better understand the physical and chemical characteristics of this high-efficiency fuel. The fuel currently stored at INL does not have the same features as todays high-efficiency commercial fuel.

CAN THIS RESEARCH BE DONE ELSEWHERE?

Yes, other national labs are eager to attract this important work. However, the nation has made considerable investments to build the unmatched research capabilities at INL, an internationally recognized nuclear energy research, development and demonstration laboratory. This research could be done elsewhere, but not as thoroughly because only INL has the full suite of capabilities.

WILL THIS WORK THREATEN THE AQUIFER?

No. Contaminants being monitored to protect the aquifer were not created by spent nuclear fuel stored at the site. These contaminants originated from disposal of legacy materials decades ago.

Disposal practices today are vastly improved, providing multiple barriers between this material and the aquifer, such that there is no credible pathway for these materials to reach the aquifer.

Frequently Asked Questions l Research Quantities of Commercial Nuclear Fuel - INL https://inl.gov/...c/research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/frequently-asked-questions-research-quantities-of-commercial-nuclear-fuel/[9/22/2020 2:49:16 PM]

INL is operated for the Department of Energy by Battelle Energy Alliance DOE OFFICE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY DOE IDAHO OFFICE BATTELLE Idaho National Laboratory 1955 N. Fremont Ave.

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