Postulated Accident Scenarios For The On-Site Transport of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Once a spent fuel container is loaded with spent fuel it typically travels on-site to a processing building for permanent lid attachment. During on-site transport a lid clamp is utilized to ensure the container lid remains in place. The safe on-site transport of spent nuclear fuel must rely on the structural integrity of the transport container and system of transport. Regard for on-site traffic and safe, efficient travel routes are important and manageable with well thought-out planning. Non-manageable incidences, such as flying debris from tornado force winds or postulated blasts in proximity to the transport container, that may result in high velocity impact and shock loading on the transport system must be considered. This paper consists of simulations that consider these types of postulated accident scenarios using detailed nonlinear finite element techniques. Specifically, a blast analysis is considered that simulates a blast shock load impacting a transport container and transport vehicle while in transit. It is imperative that the lid/container interface is preserved and no damage to the contents occurs. The results of the simulation show that the lid clamp retains the lid/body interface and the transport vehicle does not overturn due to the pressure pulse from the blast. The second part of this paper deals with possible damage due to flying debris resulting from tornado force winds. There are two projectile impact scenarios: 1. Large object impact (large poles, pipes, vehicles) in the vicinity of the lid/container interface that potentially result in damage to the lid clamp and dislodging of the lid. 2. Small object impact (slender solid rods) that potentially results in through-wall penetration and loss of shielding. Impact simulation results of these two types of objects show that for large projectiles the lid clamp retains the lid/body interface and for small projectiles there is no penetration of the container wall. This paper will only present the results of a pipe impact.