Performance Assessment of the Proposed Monitored Retrievable Storage Facility

Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) has completed a performance evaluation of the proposed monitored retrievable storage (MRS) facility. This study was undertaken as part of the Department of Energy MRS Program at PNL. The objective of the performance evaluation was to determine whether the conceptual MRS facility would be able to process spent fuel at the specified design rate of 3600 metric tons of uranium (MTU) per year.<br/><br/>Our conclusions, based on the assessment of design criteria for the proposed facility, are as follows:<br/>-Facilities and equipment throughout the facility have capability beyond the 3600 MTU/yr design requirement. This added capability provides a reserver compensate for unexpected perturbations in shipping and handling of the spent fuel.<br/>-Calculations indicate that the facility’s maximum maintainable processing capability is approximately 4800 MTU/yr. <br/>