Spent fuel canisters, types

In 1989, AECL began development (in cooperation with Transnuclear, Incorporated) of a monolithic, air-cooled, concrete structure for dry storage called MACSTOR (Figure 15.8). MACSTOR modules require less land area than concrete canisters for the same amount of spent fuel and are also suitable for storage of spent fuel assemblies from other reactor types (PWR, BWR, VVER) as well as CANDU. The MACSTOR modules store 12,000 bundles in 20 storage cylinders, each holding 10 baskets of 60 bundles (Figure 15.9). 

The main portion of such type activity represents chrompik in canisters with spent fuel, what will be drained during fuel preparation to transport to special tank and later vitrified. 

The type of spent fuel considered in this Safety Guide is typically that derived from water moderated reactors. The Safety Guide can also be applied to fuel types such as those from gas cooled reactors, and fuel assembly components can also be considered. Other items, such as canistered failed fuel, may be considered if an adequate safety analysis is prepared. 

In a repository of the type planned to be used in Sweden and Einland, the spent nuclear fuel elements will be placed in copper canisters with an iron insert. The canisters will be embedded in bentonite clay in the bedrock at a depth of about 500 m. In the event of a complete barrier failure, groundwater can enter the canister. At this depth groundwater (containing approximately 2 mM HCOg")... 

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