AMEC Project 1.1-1: Design, Construction, and Commissioning into Test Operation of a Storage Pad for Transportable Metal-Concrete Containers for the Interim Storage of Russian Naval Spent Nuclear Fuel

Abstract

Northwest Russia contains large quantities of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) from naval reactors that potentially threaten the environmental security of the surrounding Arctic Region. The majority of the SNF from the Russian decommissioned nuclear submarines and civilian icebreaker fleet is currently stored either onboard submarines or in floating storage vessels in Northwest Russia. Some of the SNF is damaged, stored in an unstable condition, or of a type that cannot currently be reprocessed. Existing Russian transport infrastructure and reprocessing facilities does not have the capacity for timely moving and reprocessing of all this fuel. Additional interim storage capacity is required. Many of the existing storage facilities being used in Northwest Russia do not meet international health and safety and physical security requirements. The removal,handling, interim storage, and shipment of the fuel pose technical, ecological, and security challenges.