The U.S. branch of AREVA has a new spent nuclear fuel storage canister and transport container — the NUHOMS 32PTH2 and the MP197HB transport cask — that will be available to the U.S.
The transport cask was recently approved for U.S. markets and, according to the company, this is the only container of this kind that is licensed to carry high burnup used nuclear fuel in offsite storage applications.
“The ability for utilities to efficiently transport used fuel offsite is key to its future management in America,” Greg Vesey, senior vice president of AREVA TN Americas, said. “With this expanded range of used fuel solutions, we are ready to support our customers with safe and secure options today, paving the way for long-term storage success in the United States.”
In February, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved an amended rule on spent fuel storage containers. This approval allows the new NUHOMS model to be introduced to the U.S. nuclear power market. The new model is able to accommodate 32 used fuel assemblies that are considered in tact. It can accommodate up to 16 assemblies that are damaged.
As with other models the 32PTH2 is compatible with AREVA’s Standardized Advanced Horizontal Storage Module, providing canisters with a high level of resistance to seismic activity.
