The Future of Spent Nuclear Fuel: Disposal and Dual-Purpose Canisters

TLDRThe United States has generated over 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel, which is currently stored in canisters at reactor sites. Sandia is researching the possibility of direct disposal of these canisters, as well as adding filler materials to limit water access to the spent fuel. The Department of Energy has asked Sandia to lead research into the feasibility of disposing spent nuclear fuel in dual-purpose canisters without repackaging it.

Key insights

🔬Sandia is researching the direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel canisters and adding filler materials to limit water access.

🌍Sandia is investigating how dual-purpose canisters could be placed in different types of geologies for potential future repositories.

💡Sandia is experimenting with filling canisters that contain spent nuclear fuel with cement or metal to prevent criticality.

📊Sandia is running computer models to analyze the heat generated by spent nuclear fuel and its interaction with different rock types.

⚛️Sandia has 40 years of experience researching the interactions between spent nuclear fuel, containers, and different host geologies.

Q&A

What is the current storage method for spent nuclear fuel?

—Spent nuclear fuel is currently stored at reactor sites in canisters designed and licensed for storage and transportation.

What is the purpose of dual-purpose canisters?

—Dual-purpose canisters are designed to store and transport spent nuclear fuel, but not to dispose of it.

What is the goal of Sandia's research?

—Sandia is researching the possibility of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel canisters and investigating how they can be placed in different geologies.

How is Sandia addressing the issue of criticality?

—Sandia is experimenting with filling canisters that contain spent nuclear fuel with cement or metal to prevent criticality in deep geologic repositories.

What expertise does Sandia have in this field?

—Sandia has 40 years of experience researching the interactions between spent nuclear fuel, containers, and different host geologies.

Timestamped Summary

00:16The United States has generated over 70,000 metric tons of spent nuclear fuel to produce electricity.

00:32Spent nuclear fuel is currently stored at reactor sites in canisters designed for storage and transportation.

01:04Sandia is researching the possibility of direct disposal of spent nuclear fuel canisters.

01:21Sandia is leading research into the feasibility of disposing spent nuclear fuel in dual-purpose canisters.

02:26Sandia has 40 years of experience researching the interactions between spent nuclear fuel and different host geologies.

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