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Overview of the Office of Nuclear Energy’s
Fuel Cycle Technologies Program
John Herczeg
Office of Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE- Intergovernmental Meeting
November 13, 2014
2
NE-5 Organization Structure
NE-5Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel Cycle
Technologies: John HerczegAssociate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fuel
Cycle Technologies : Andrew Griffith
• Used Fuel Storage and Transportation R&D
• Used Fuel Disposal R&D
• Advanced Fuels • Materials Protection,
Accounting, and Control Technology
Dave Henderson
NE-52Fuel Cycle Research and Development
Bill Boyle
NE-53Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Research and Development
Patricia Paviet
NE-51Systems EngineeringAnd Integration
Robert George
NE-54Uranium Management andPolicy
Jeff Williams
NE-5Nuclear Fuel Storage and Transportation Planning Project
• Material Recovery and Waste Form Development
• System Analysis and Integration
• Fuel Resources
• Uranium Policy and market analysis
• Integrated Waste Mgmt. System
3
Fuel Cycle Research and
Development’s Mission
NE
FCR&D
The mission of the Fuel Cycle Research and Development program is to:
conduct generic research and development (R&D) and generic non-R&D activities related to used nuclear fuel (UNF), nuclear waste management and disposal issues;
conduct R&D on advanced sustainable fuel cycle technologies that have the potential to improve resource utilization and energy generation, reduce waste generation, enhance safety, and limit proliferation risk; and
lay the ground work and planning for the implementation of the Administration’s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High Level Radioactive Waste.
The program employs a long-term, science-based approach to foster innovative, transformational technology solutions to achieve this mission. Advancements in fuel cycle technologies and solutions support the enhanced availability, affordability, safety, and security of nuclear-generated electricity in the U.S.
Fuel Cycle Research and Development
FY 2015 Planned Funding by Campaign
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Campaign
Funding ($1,000s)
NotesFY 2014 FY 2015
Advanced Fuels 43,115 38,000Advanced LWR fuels, metallic transmutation fuels,
crosscutting capability development
Material Recovery & Waste
Form Development18,000 18,300 Aqueous, electrochemical, waste forms, off-gas technologies
Fuel Cycle Options 8,900 8,300 Evaluation and screening, analyses, fuel cycle catalog
Joint Fuel Cycle Studies 6,950 7,000 US-ROK collaboration on electrochemical reprocessing
MPACT 5,000 5,400 Material protection, accounting, and control technologies
Fuel Resources 4,600 4,600 Uranium from seawater
Nuclear Fuel Storage & Trans. 24,950 34,700Laying the groundwork for the Administration’s Strategy for the
Management and Disposal of UNF and HLW
Used Nuclear Fuel R&D 24,700 28,600Exploring generic disposal concepts, developing the technical
basis for extended storage and transportation
NEUP 30,200 25,630Competitive awards to universities, supporting all of the
technical campaigns
Headquarters-Directed Activities 11,585 11,400 Special projects, support services, management reserve
SBIR/STTR 5,000 4,850Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business
Technology Transfer
Program Assess. &
Coordination3,500 2,320 Project management, program support
Total 186,500 189,100
5
Key Elements of theAdministration’s Strategy
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Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste
Future facilities would be sited using a consent-based process and licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Pilot-scale interim storage facility
Operational in 2021
Consolidated interim storage facility
Operational in 2025
Geologic Repository
Sited using consent-based process by 2026
Designed and licensed by 2042
Operational in 2048
7
NE’s Used Nuclear Fuel Programs
Nuclear Fuels Storage and Transportation Planning Project – Lay the groundwork for implementing interim storage, including associated transportation, per the Administration’s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Radioactive Waste, and develop a foundation for a new nuclear waste management organization.
Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition R&D Campaign – Identify alternatives and conduct scientific research and technology development to enable storage, transportation and disposal of used nuclear fuel and wastes generated by existing and future nuclear fuel cycles.
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Evaluating interim storage design concepts,
with input from industry contractors Recently initiated new Task “Generic Design Alternatives
for Dry Storage of Used Nuclear Fuel”
Preparing facility functions and requirements
Evaluated costs and impacts of opening non-
disposable storage canisters
Developing data on alternative generic
design concepts for receiving, storing,
handling, and repackaging UNF canisters
to support systems analyses
BRC recommendation:
“Perform systems analyses and
design studies needed to develop a
conceptual design for a spent fuel
storage facility”
Laying the Groundwork forConsolidated Interim Storage
Intergovt. Meeting Nov. 2014
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Collaborating with stakeholders through State Regional Groups (SRG) and tribal representatives
Revised NWPA 180(c) policy
National Transportation Plan
Routing options
Planning for design, testing, and acquisition of rail cars and transportation casks
Assessing needs and developing plan for removing UNF from shutdown reactor sites
Developing new routing capabilities and investigating routing options from shutdown reactor sites
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BRC recommendation:
“Complete development of procedures and
regulations for providing technical
assistance, funding, and training
to local groups in preparation for movement
of spent fuel”
Preparing for the Large-ScaleTransportation of UNF and HLW
10
National Transportation PlanOverview and Work Scope
Prepare a draft NTP in a collaborative effort with stakeholders
Focuses on the goals of the Blue Ribbon Commission recommendations and the Administration’s Strategy
Addresses the NAS recommendations related to transportation of UNF
Integrates with technical activities
Is consistent with DOE transportation policy, guidance, and prior shipping experience (including Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and Foreign Research Reactor Fuel campaigns)
Considers stakeholder comments on prior DOE NTPs
Inform interested parties about the planning process and activities to be completed in order to ship SNF from reactor sites
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Stakeholder Tool for AssessingRadioactive Transportation (START)
Cover the entire continental U.S.
Represent physical and operating characteristics of freight surface transportation modes
Highway
Rail
Barge
Include relevant proximate features (e.g., tribal lands, emergency responders, schools, environmentally-sensitive land use)
Flexible, modular system architecture to support functionality, feature and data updates
Leverage geographic information systems (GIS) technology
Support users via web-based application with secure internet access
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Nuclear Waste Policy Act Section 180(c) Mandate
“The Secretary shall provide technical assistance and funds to States for training for public safety officials of appropriate units of local government and Indian tribes through whose jurisdiction the Secretary plans to transport spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste [to an NWPA-authorized facility].”
Training shall cover procedures for safe routine transportation of these materials and procedures for dealing with emergency response situations
Covers all modes of transport (train, truck and barge)
13
Preliminary Evaluation of Removing Used Nuclear Fuel from Shutdown Sites
Collected and documented currently available information relevant to de-inventory shutdown sites
Identified alternatives for transporting UNF from the sites
Next steps
• Develop detailed de-inventory plans for each site
• Complete and add information related to recent shutdown sites
14
Transportation System Development Future Tasks Prior to Shipment
Institutional Activities Continue work with SRGs and Tribes, National Transportation Stakeholder
Forum, other groups
Develop communications plans and materials
Identify training needs and materials necessary for technical support and for development of modules that specifically address UNF shipments
Conduct Section 180(c) pilot or evaluation program, finalize policy and fund States and Tribes for training
Work with States, Tribes and carriers to refine route planning process
Work with Stakeholders on operational activities
Assess vehicle inspection standards and processes for all transport modes
Tabletop reviews of initial routes with States, Tribes, SRGs, carriers and logistics companies
15
Used Nuclear Fuel DispositionExtended Storage & Transportation R&D
• Develop the technical bases to demonstrate used fuel integrity for extended storage periods
• Develop technical bases for fuel retrievability and transportation after long term storage
• Develop technical basis for transportation of high burn-up fuel
Better understand potential degradation mechanisms in long term dry cask storage including:
16
The Cask Storage Demonstration contract was awarded to the EPRI Team to evaluate extended storage of high burnup used nuclear fuel:
Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Cask Storage Demonstration R&D
•North Anna Nuclear Power Plant
AREVA Federal ServicesAREVA TransnuclearAREVA Fuels
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Used Nuclear Fuel Disposition Disposal R&D
Provide a sound technical basis for the assertion that the U.S. has multiple viable disposal options
Increase confidence in the robustness of generic disposal concepts
Evaluate the BRC recommendation for developing a near term plan for taking the borehole disposal concept to the point of a demonstration
Evaluate the technical feasibility of the direct disposal of existing storage and transportation canisters
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Deep Borehole Field Test
Objectives Demonstrate the feasibility of characterizing and
engineering deep boreholes
Demonstrate processes and operations for safe waste emplacement in deep boreholes
Confirm geologic controls over waste stability in a deep geologic environment
Demonstrate safety and practicality of deep borehole disposal concept
Disposal concept consists of drilling a borehole or array of boreholes into crystalline basement rock to ~5000m depth
DOE issued a Request for Information to solicit input from stakeholders willing to host a deep borehole field test
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Accident Tolerant Fuels Became a Major Focus Area after Fukushima
Goal: By 2022, develop and test, in an existing LWR, an advanced fuel rod which tolerates loss of active cooling in the core for considerably longer time period than existing fuel.
Objectives:
Significantly reduce or eliminate hydrogen generation
Reduce spent fuel volume through increased burnup
Reduce Fuel Pin Failures & Increased reliability
Improve Economics & Permit Power Upgrades
Congressional Direction:
The Fukushima (March 2011) accident led the U.S. Congress to direct the DOE to focus efforts on development of fuels with enhanced accident tolerance.
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High temperatureduring loss of active
cooling
Slower Hydrogen Generation Rate• Hydrogen bubble• Hydrogen explosion• Hydrogen embrittlement of the
clad
Improved Cladding Properties
• Clad fracture• Geometric stability • Thermal shock resistance• Melting of the cladding
Improved Fuel Properties • Lower operating temps• Clad internal oxidation• Fuel relocation/dispersion• Fuel melting
Enhanced Retention of Fission Products• Gaseous fission products• Solid/liquid fission products
Improved Reaction Kinetics with Steam• Heat of oxidation• Oxidation rate
Behaviors of Accident Tolerant Fuels &Fuel and Cladding at High Temperatures
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