ICPP special fuels canning and characterization facility

Abstract

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the owner of, or has on consignment, a large quantity of nuclear fuel and targets from a variety of nuclear reactors. The majority of this inventory is associated with the nuclear materials production (NMP) complex. This material must be disposed in a safe an controlled manner. The special Fuels Canning and Characterization Facility (SFCCF) is required to characterize, verify the storage can contents, and, if necessary, recan the special fuels to help ensure safe, interim storage (i.e. fission product containment and criticality control) until a special fuels disposal facility is operating, regardless of which disposal technique is adopted. The SFCCF would be located at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) and would include the capability to condition the special fuels in preparation for final disposal.