Doosan Enerbility Partners with Collaborators in 'Cask' Business for Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage

Signed 'Domestic Technology-Based Cask Business Cooperation MOU' with 8 Partner Companies

On the 29th, attendees are taking a commemorative photo after signing the MOU at the "Business Agreement Ceremony for the Development of Cask Manufacturing Technology Based on Domestic Technology," held at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO) in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do. From the left in the photo are Jang Gil-ho, Executive Director of Kyungsung Eisen; Jo Seong-eun, CEO of Mujin Giyeon; Kim Jin-tae, CEO of KHPT; Kim Seung-won, President of Samhong Machinery; Jo Chang-yeol, Nuclear Service Manager at Doosan Enerbility; Kim Gon-jae, CEO of Sera Precision; Yoo Seok-jun, CEO of Pave Tech; Park Min-young, Executive Director of Geumgwang Tech; and Jo Sang-myeong, CEO of Super Tig Welding. Photo by Doosan Enerbility.

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] Doosan Enerbility is joining hands with domestic partners to strengthen competitiveness in the cask business, which involves transportation and storage containers for spent nuclear fuel.

On the 30th, Doosan Enerbility announced that it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of cask manufacturing technology based on domestic technology with eight domestic nuclear power plant equipment partners, including Kyungsung Eisen, Geumgwang Tech, and Mujin Giyun. The signing ceremony took place at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center (HICO), where the '2022 International Nuclear Export and Safety Confex' hosted by Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju City was held. Attendees included Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear Service Manager Chang-Yeol Jo, CEOs of the eight partner companies, and other related personnel.

Through this agreement, Doosan Enerbility will transfer its accumulated expertise and know-how in cask design and manufacturing to the eight partners, who will strengthen their manufacturing competitiveness and work towards commercializing cask projects domestically and internationally.

A 'cask' is used for the transportation and storage of spent nuclear fuel. Spent nuclear fuel is initially cooled for five years in water-filled pools using a wet storage method, then transferred to external containers or structures for cooling in air using a dry storage method. Since casks must safely manage the radiation and heat from spent nuclear fuel, they require special design and advanced manufacturing technology.

Doosan Enerbility has established a diverse lineup of casks suitable for domestic and international environments. Last year, it became the first Korean company to export casks to the United States. In 2017, it developed the 'Doosan-DSS21,' a Korean-style dry storage system capable of safely transporting and storing up to 21 bundles of spent nuclear fuel. Subsequently, it developed the 'DSS24' and 'DSS32' models with increased storage capacity, as well as the 'DPC-24,' a cask for both transportation and storage.

Additionally, Doosan Enerbility jointly developed the 'MSO-37' metal container model with its technical partner, the US company NAC, which offers enhanced safety compared to concrete storage containers currently operated overseas. This model has passed the technical review by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for design verification and is expected to obtain licensing next month.

Nagiyong Na, Head of Doosan Enerbility’s Nuclear BG, stated, "As the global need for nuclear power plants is being reemphasized, demand for spent nuclear fuel storage is expected to continuously increase. We will actively target the global cask market with domestic specialized manufacturers and do our best to strengthen the nuclear power industry ecosystem."

Meanwhile, Doosan Enerbility plans to participate in this exhibition with the eight partner companies to intensively promote their related technologies, including a variety of spent nuclear fuel transportation and storage container lineups and supply performance.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.