Deep Isolation finalizes three-year project on waste canisters.

Project UPWARDS: Advancing Nuclear Waste Management

Project UPWARDS, an acronym for Universal Performance Criteria and Canister for Advanced Reactor Waste Form Acceptance in Borehole and Mined Repositories Considering Design Safety, represents a significant leap forward in the field of nuclear waste management. Spearheaded by Deep Isolation in collaboration with esteemed institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and NAC International, this initiative has successfully developed a Universal Canister System designed specifically for the disposal of used nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste generated by advanced reactors. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s ARPA-E initiative, this project focuses on creating a robust infrastructure for future nuclear waste disposal.

Prototype and Testing

At the heart of Project UPWARDS is the Universal Canister System, which has undergone extensive fabrication and physical testing to ensure its effectiveness. The first prototype canister was created in partnership with R-V Industries, Inc., based in Pennsylvania. Testing took place at the Deep Borehole Demonstration Center in Texas, where the canister’s mechanical integrity and operational viability were assessed in simulated geological conditions. This rigorous testing has provided a rare level of physical validation for a nuclear waste disposal system, marking a pivotal moment in ensuring the safety and reliability of future nuclear waste storage solutions.

Versatility of the Universal Canister System

One of the standout features of the Universal Canister System is its capacity to accommodate a wide range of waste streams generated by advanced nuclear reactors. This includes vitrified waste from reprocessing, TRISO (Tristructural-Isotropic) spent fuel, and halide salts from molten salt reactors. The system boasts compatibility with modern dry storage and transport infrastructures, ensuring that it adheres to stringent performance and safety requirements across different repository types, whether they be borehole or mined repositories. This versatility enhances flexibility and minimizes uncertainties surrounding future waste disposition, a critical aspect for stakeholders in the nuclear energy sector.

Technical Foundation for Future Engagement

The findings from Project UPWARDS provide a robust technical foundation that will likely support future regulatory engagement, pilot deployments, and commercialization efforts. By establishing waste form acceptance criteria and integrating safety and performance assessments, the project is paving the way for smoother transitions into real-world implementations.

As articulated by Jesse Sloane, Executive Vice President of Engineering at Deep Isolation, the project has delivered a “universal, triple-purpose canister” that is designed for storage, transportation, and disposal across various repository types. This comprehensive approach reflects a significant technological advancement, validated through meticulous testing, and aims to facilitate future deployment in practical scenarios.

Industry Engagement and Collaboration

The collaborative efforts between Deep Isolation and NAC International highlight the importance of industry partnerships in advancing nuclear waste management solutions. NAC CEO Kent Cole emphasized his eagerness to integrate this innovation into existing licensed systems for the storage and transportation of spent nuclear fuel. This collaboration is not just about refining technology; it’s about leveraging shared expertise to pave the way for the commercialization of the Universal Canister System on a global scale.

Conclusion

Project UPWARDS stands as a benchmark in nuclear waste management, not merely for its innovative technological developments but for the collaborative spirit driving its success. As it moves forward, there remains an exciting opportunity for stakeholders to engage with and adopt these advancements, paving the way for safer and more efficient methods to manage nuclear waste.