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Conference Spotlight
2025 ANS Winter Conference & Expo
November 9–12, 2025
Washington, DC|Washington Hilton
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The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
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Researchers use one-of-a-kind expertise and capabilities to test fuels of tomorrow
At the Idaho National Laboratory Hot Fuel Examination Facility, containment box operator Jake Maupin moves a manipulator arm into position around a pencil-thin nuclear fuel rod. He is preparing for a procedure that he and his colleagues have practiced repeatedly in anticipation of this moment in the hot cell.
Shannon M. Chu, Jeremy Renshaw, Richard D. Reid (EPRI)
Proceedings | 16th International High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Conference (IHLRWM 2017) | Charlotte, NC, April 9-13, 2017 | Pages 206-209
Dry storage of used nuclear fuel is likely to continue for several decades due to the lack of a permanent repository. The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) conducted a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in order to identify degradation mechanisms that are relevant to Dry Cask Storage Systems (DCSSs) which store used fuel within a welded stainless steel canister housed inside a vented concrete cask. Chloride-Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking (CISCC) was identified as the potential degradation mechanism that would be most likely to challenge the confinement function of these canisters. This paper describes research efforts aimed at identifying canisters with CISCC prior to loss of confinement and understanding the consequences should such a loss occur. Key areas of research include development of aging management guidance with recommendations for the scope, frequency, and coverage for canister inspections, demonstration of non-destructive evaluation capabilities, and evaluation of the potential consequences in terms of dose to site personnel and the general public should cracking develop and grow through a canister wall.