TRANSPORTING FUEL DEBRIS FROM TMI-2 TO INEL *

Transportation of the damaged fuel from Unit 2 of Three Mile Island (TMl-2) presented noteworthy technical challenges involving complex institutional issues. The transportation programme resulted from both a need to package and remove the accident debris and also the opportunity to receive and study damaged core components. These combined to establish the safe transport of the TMI-2 fuel debris as a high priority for many diverse organizations. The capability of the sending and receiving facilities to handle spent fuel transport casks in the most cost-effective manner was assessed and resulted in the development by Nuclear Packaging, Inc. (NuPac) of the NuPac 125-B cask. The paper reviews the technical challenges in the preparation of the TMI-2 core debris for transport from TMI-2 to the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) and receipt and storage of that material at INEL. Challenges discussed include design and testing of fuel debris canisters; design, fabrication and licensing of a new rail cask for transport of spent fuel; cask-loading operations, equipment and facilities at TMI-2; transportation logistics; and receipt, storage and core-examination operations at INEL.