This paper provides an overview of ongoing work aimed at developing spent nuclear fuel (SNF) canister deposition models. Currently, it is known that stainless steel canisters are susceptible to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (CISCC). However, the rate of CISCC degradation and the likelihood that it could lead to a through-wall crack is unknown. While it is currently unknown if there is a threshold chloride surface concentration for CISCC initiation, it can be assumed that the onset and progress of material degradation will depend on the local contaminant concentration, the properties of the contaminant species, and the synergistic effects when multiple contaminants are present.

This study uses well-developed computational fluid dynamics and particle tracking tools and applies them to SNF storage to determine the rate of deposition on canisters. Understanding the rate of deposition on SNF canisters could be important for making canister aging management predictions. This study is a part of an ongoing effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Spent Fuel and Waste Science and Technology, which is tasked with doing research relevant to enhancing the technical basis for ensuring the safe extended storage and subsequent transport of SNF.

This work is being presented to demonstrate a potentially useful technique for SNF canister vendors, utilities, regulators, and stakeholders to utilize and further develop for their own designs and site-specific studies.