The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently completed seismic testing on a pair of full-scale dry storage systems for spent nuclear fuel.
U.S. storage systems are designed to withstand significant seismic loads, and the data from this test will be used to better understand the potential impacts earthquakes have on fuel that is safely and securely stored at more than 70 reactors sites in the United States.
Cameras record the performance of a horizontal spent nuclear fuel cask on the shake table.
Shaking Things Up
Researchers conducted tests at the University of California San Diego using a specialized outdoor shake table to simulate various seismic events.
The test included a full-scale vertical cask weighing 125 tons and a 111-ton horizontal storage system. Both were equipped with dummy fuel assemblies and more than 240 sensors to collect data on roughly 40 different seismic simulations.
The data will be used to evaluate the impacts of potential seismic events on spent nuclear fuel cladding and inform the design and licensing of future spent nuclear fuel storage systems. It will also help improve current practices and ensure the safe, efficient, and sustainable management of the nation’s spent nuclear fuel.
"Building public trust through transparent and rigorous testing is a key objective of this initiative," said Paul Murray, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Spent Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposition. "These tests have yielded valuable data on the performance of spent nuclear fuel storage systems during seismic events. The insights gained are essential for ensuring the safety and integrity of these systems, which is crucial for long-term storage solutions."
Aerial view of the shake table test with nuclear fuel storage cast.
The seismic tests were funded by the Office of Nuclear Energy’s Spent Fuel and High-Level Waste Disposition program, which supports the development of robust, science-based solutions for the management of spent nuclear fuel.