Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute Successfully Tests Land Transport of Spent Nuclear Fuel

Road Transport Test from Temporary Storage to Final Disposal Site at Nuclear Power Plant

Test scene of onshore transport of spent nuclear fuel. (Photo by Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced on the 17th that it has successfully completed a test of land transportation of spent nuclear fuel from storage facilities within nuclear power plants to disposal sites.

Spent fuel used in nuclear power generation must be disposed of at a final disposal site, but it is currently temporarily stored in wet storage facilities within each nuclear power plant. This is because there is a risk of radioactive leakage during transportation from the power plant to the disposal site.

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, together with Korea Nuclear Fuel Co., Ltd., Korea Radioactive Waste Agency, and Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction, conducted the first-ever road transportation test in Korea over two days starting from the 15th, successfully obtaining various key data.

They conducted various driving tests including handling of the transport cask, passing speed bumps, obstacle avoidance, and braking, and collected load data in each situation through over 100 sensors.

Using this data, the institute plans to demonstrate the safety of land transportation of spent nuclear fuel in the future. A maritime transportation test is also scheduled for next year.

Dr. Choi Wooseok of the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute said, "This will greatly contribute to enhancing public acceptance of spent nuclear fuel transportation in the future."

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