Development of a Non-Metallic Composite Fuel Support Structure For Transport And Storage

A new package for the transport and storage of CANDU® reactor fuel includes the use of stackable fuel bundle support trays made from lightweight, fiberglass-reinforced plastic resin. Plastic resins with high temperature- and impact-resistance make it possible to design an easily manufactured, close-tolerance fuel tray meeting all the IAEA requirements for transport and storage. The primary function of the trays during the hypothetical accident is to limit fuel bundle reconfiguration for criticality control. However, the trays must also support and protect the bundles during normal transport, and be easy to use. This paper will discuss the qualification of the material and the design of the trays for normal, accident, and operational conditions of use. Economic aspects of the design for large quantity manufacture will also be discussed.