The Nation's First Land Transport Test of 'Used Nuclear Fuel'

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Junho] A simulated test was conducted for the first time in Korea to transport spent nuclear fuel in a container by road.

On the 17th, according to the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, a simulated test was carried out at the Doosan Heavy Industries site in Changwon, Gyeongnam, where a cylindrical container with a diameter of 2.1 m and a length of 6.6 m, manufactured by the company, was loaded with a mock nuclear fuel assembly produced by Korea Nuclear Fuel and transported overland.

This test simulated various situations that could occur on the road during actual spent nuclear fuel transportation. Various driving tests were conducted, including container handling tests, circulation tests, speed bump passage tests, uneven road passage tests, obstacle avoidance tests, and braking tests. Load data amounting to 150 tons, including the transport vehicle and the mounting frame, were successfully acquired through about 100 sensors attached to the transport container and other equipment.

Domestically, spent nuclear fuel is temporarily stored in wet storage facilities within nuclear power plants. To safely transfer it to the final disposal site via an interim storage facility, a detailed assessment of the impact on spent nuclear fuel during transportation is necessary.

Chief Researcher Choi Wooseok stated, "The data obtained this time will be used as objective evidence to verify the safety of actual spent nuclear fuel transportation."

Meanwhile, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute plans to conduct a maritime transport test for spent nuclear fuel containers next year.