Advanced Handling Concepts and Application to Storage and Transport Systems

The application of robotics to the handling of spent fuel casks at a receiving facility such as an MRS is a practical solution to meeting both operator dose limitations and DOE facility design goals. Simple cost/dose trade-off analysis based on International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) methods indicates operator dose can be substantially reduced at potential cost savings by automating the major dose-producing operations. Reliability of robotic systems need not be high to substantially lower handling costs and operator dose. The feasibility of automating many receiving operations has been demonstrated in the laboratory. Demonstrations include visual cask inspection, radiation survey, impact limiter removal, transporter tiedown release and manipulation, cask uprighting and transport, and cask head preparation; including leak testing, gas purging, and lid closure and seal removal.