OPAL spent fuel management: status in 2019
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Date
2019-03-24
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Research Reactor Conference, RRFM
Abstract
Since the late 1950’s, ANSTO has successfully operated three research reactors in Australia: HIFAR (1958-2007), MOATA (1961-1995) and OPAL (2006-present). ANSTO has demonstrated the safe and secure management of the spent fuel from those reactors. MOATA and HIFAR spent fuel was either reprocessed offshore in the UK or France and the vitrified waste returned to Australia or returned to the USA under the FRRSNFA Program.
A strategy for the management of OPAL spent fuel was developed before
construction started and has evolved since then. The strategy of spent fuel
disposition is now established as offshore reprocessing and management of the returned vitrified wastes. To manage the large inventory of spent OPAL fuel generated, ANSTO has entered into a long term contract with Orano for the transportation and reprocessing of the OPAL spent fuel, with provisions included for the return of vitrified waste. The first transport of OPAL SNF to La Hague in France was performed in July 2018. Further transports are scheduled to be conducted at intervals of 6-7 years. This paper will provide an overview of the management of spent fuel in Australia and cover the preparation that facilitated the first transport of OPAL SNF to La Hague in 2018. It will address aspects such as processing considerations, regulatory and governmental approvals, operational planning and execution.
Description
Keywords
OPAL Reactor, Australia, HIFAR Reactor, MOATA Reactor, Spent fuels, Safety, Security, France, United Kingdom, Vitrification, Transport, Planning
Citation
Finlay, R., Healy, M., Naidoo-Amegilo, P., Valery, J., & Halle, L. (2019). OPAL spent fuel management: status in 2019. Paper presented to the RRFM/IGORR 19, Jordan from 24th to 28th March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.euronuclear.org/download/rrfm-2019-part-2/#