Fuel Classification Protocol for Dry Fuel Storage

TP-108237

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Fuel Classification Protocol for Dry Fuel Storage
TP-108237

Technical Progress Report, June 1999

EPRI Project Manager

A. Machiels

This report was prepared by a Subcommittee of

the NEI Decommissioning Working Group

Principal Contributors

G. Withrow

R. Lambert

EPRI • 3412 Hillview Avenue, Palo Alto, California 94304 • PO Box 10412, Palo Alto, California 94303 • USA
800.313.3774 • 650.855.2121 • askepri@epri.com • www.epri.com
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 CITATIONS
This document was prepared by
A Subcommittee of the NEI Decommissioning Working Group
Principal Contributors
G. Withrow
R. Lambert
The publication is a corporate document that should be cited in the literature in the following
manner:
Fuel Classification Protocol for Dry Fuel Storage, EPRI, Palo Alto, CA, 1999, TP-108237.

iii
 ABSTRACT
This document provides interim guidance for performing irradiated spent fuel classification for
the purpose of long term storage in an independent spent fuel storage facility (ISFSI), and
eventual transport to a DOE repository. Guidelines are provided to properly classify spent fuel
through the use of screening criteria. The goal of this protocol is to provide reasonable assurance
that spent fuel is properly classified as either undamaged or damaged for the purpose of loading
into storage or transportation canisters.

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 FUEL CLASSIFICATION PROTOCOL
FOR DRY FUEL STORAGE
Objective: Provide guidance for assuring uniformity in the determination of damaged fuel
while retaining flexibility for different fuel types.

Spent fuel classification is an important element to the planning for fuel disposal. Currently,
many utilities plan to utilize interim storage through the use of dry fuel storage (DFS) canisters.
DFS canisters incorporate design requirements that make classification of spent fuel as
undamaged or damaged necessary. These requirements are generally related to the ability of the
fuel assembly to maintain fuel configuration as well as the structural integrity of the assembly for
handling. Fuel storage and transportation have significantly less stringent requirements
pertaining to fuel assembly integrity than those associated with fuel that is to be operated in a
reactor.

This document provides the guidance for performing irradiated spent fuel classification for the
purpose of long term storage in an independent spent fuel storage facility (ISFSI) and eventual
transport to a DOE repository. Guidelines are provided to properly classify spent fuel through
the use of screening criteria. The goal of this protocol is to provide reasonable assurance that
spent fuel is properly classified as either undamaged or damaged for the purpose of loading into
storage or transportation canisters.

Screening Criteria for Fuel Classification

1. If fuel has no indication of operating leakage from reliable core history records then it may
be classified as undamaged.

2. If operating records indicate the potential of damage, then follow-up fuel inspections may
be conducted. If these inspections indicate no damage or the damage appears to be not
greater than pinhole leaks or hairline cracks, then the fuel may be classified as undamaged.

Fuel that has not been classified as undamaged based on criteria 1 or 2 shall receive a
visual inspection as described in II to determine if it shall be classified as damaged or
undamaged.

3. If the visual inspection indicates no significant cladding defects in excess of defects

similar to pin hole leaks and hair line cracks, or internal fuel debris, the fuel assembly may
be classified as undamaged. (The following criteria may be substituted for BWR fuel
housed in channels. If the external visual inspection of a channeled fuel assembly
indicates pellet retaining integrity, the assembly may be classified as undamaged.)

4. If the visual inspection of the assembly indicates significant cladding defects, an

engineering evaluation shall be performed to determine that there is reasonable assurance
that the damaged area will still retain pellets and fuel fragments. If such evaluation is

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 positive, then it shall be documented and retained as part of the record for each fuel
assembly. The assembly may then be classified as undamaged.

Assemblies which can not met criteria of 1through 4 shall be classified as damaged fuel.

5. In addition to criteria 1 through 4, if any assembly fails to meet the structural integrity
evaluation of III, it shall also be classified as damaged fuel.
The following protocols provide a listing of activities necessary to attain reasonable assurance
that damaged fuel has been appropriately classified.

I. Records

Historical records may be used to determine whether or not fuel assemblies are damaged.
Records that provide a reasonable basis for this determination include:
• Operating History-Reactor core operating records indicating fuel integrity of fuel
assemblies removed from a particular cycle.
• Operational Fuel Inspection Data-sipping, ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing and
profilometry, visual, or other technique that indicates fuel assembly cladding and
structural integrity.

II. Visual Inspection

The following methodology is an acceptable approach to visually inspect spent fuel for
evidence of structural integrity or damage to cladding which may require special handling for
dry storage and transportation. This section provides guidance for personnel qualification,
process, inspection methodology, and recommended records for visual inspections.

A. Personnel Qualifications
• Fuel inspectors should pass a visual acuity test in accordance with SNT TC-IA of the
America Society of Non-destructive Testing
• Fuel inspectors should be trained on the site-specific fuel inspection procedures.

B. Process
• Visual inspection should be performed with a camera inspection technique adequate
to identify pinhole defects and cracks.
• An inspection of the internal condition of a fuel assembly for gross damage and loose
fuel debris, should be conducted when a visual inspection is performed.
• Visual inspection should be videotaped.

C. Inspection Methodology
• The entire length of the assembly should be inspected on all four sides.
• Lighting should be adequate to detect reportable defects.

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 D. Records
• Fuel assembly identification should be documented.
• Structural cladding defects to be reported should include:
- cracks
- identifiable cladding breaches (i.e. holes)
- loose internal fuel debris
- broken or out of position fuel rods

III. Fuel Bundle Structural Integrity

Relevant past history or current experience that indicates a fuel assembly can be grappled and
handled, and moved in a normal manner is sufficient to demonstrate structural integrity.

IV. Documentation

Documentation necessary to determine the fuel assembly integrity relative to a damaged fuel
classification include the following:
• Reactor core operating records
• Operational fuel inspection data
• Visual inspection records
• Fuel assembly structural integrity determination record

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TP-108237