Extended Wet Storage for Research and Test Reactor Spent Fuel for 2006 and Beyond

Research and test reactors around the world are currently returning spent fuel originally enriched in the United States back to the U. S. In May 2006, operators of the reactors will cease to be eligible to return their spent fuel and will have to find national or regional solutions for continued storage, if they want to continue operations of their research reactors. The Savannah River Site (SRS) has looked at a number of options like dry storage, melt-dilute, or continued wet storage for fuel currently stored at SRS. This paper reviews the highlights of the wet basin studies conducted at SRS since 1992. Based on an understanding of the important factors affecting the corrosion of aluminum-clad spent fuel, criteria are presented for the corrosion protection of this fuel in extended water storage. With optimum water quality, aluminum-clad spent fuel can be stored safely and with minimum corrosion for times exceeding 25 years.