Innovation Research Series: Energy-saving cooling system for used fuel

The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability (CCNS) and Framatome have entered into a Collaboration Research Agreement to explore alternative solutions for cooling used nuclear fuel at nuclear generating stations.

Used nuclear fuel bundles are cooled in a nuclear station’s used fuel bay, a large pool of water, for up to 10 years before being transferred to dry storage containers which are 80-tonne free-standing reinforced concrete containers with an inner steel liner and outer steel shell. One option for the cooling process is to incorporate an advanced cooling system that uses immersed heat exchangers with flexible configurations to replace the existing spent fuel bay cooling system for the plant post-operational phase. The implementation of a dedicated fuel bay cooling system can have a major impact on decommissioning activities in the remainder of the station.

This research will determine whether switching to an alternative heat exchanger system in the fuel bays could help reduce costs and use less power during the time it takes to cool the fuel. The proposed system design will stress safety and is cost-effectiveness. Another benefit might be transferring the heat and using it in other ways such as heating other buildings on site.

About Framatome:

Framatome is an international organization in nuclear energy, designing nuclear power plants, supplying nuclear steam supply system, designing and manufacturing reactor fuel assemblies and nuclear steam supply system components, integrating instrumentation & control systems, and servicing all types of nuclear reactors.

Innovation Research Series: 

The Centre for Canadian Nuclear Sustainability has established an annual $2-million innovation fund for new research and development projects that will help prepare for decommissioning and advance solutions for minimizing nuclear materials and recycling clean materials. 

The ideas, techniques and solutions that come from these projects will help reduce timelines and costs for the decommissioning project, enhance employee safety, reduce radiation exposure and waste, and ensure the safety of the community and environment.