INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION OF SPENT FUEL

Concepts for transportation of spent fuel in rail casks from nuclear power plant sites with no rail service are under consideration by the US Department of Energy in the Commercial Spent Fuel Management program at the Pacific Northwest Laboratory. This report identifies and evaluates three alternative systems for intermodal transfer of spent fuel: heavy-haul truck to rail, barge to rail, and barge to heavy-haul truck. This report concludes that, with some modifications and provisions for new equipment, existing rail and marine systems can provide a transportation base for the intermodal transfer of spent fuel to federal interim storage facilities. Some needed land transportation support and loading and unloading equipment does not currently exist. There are insufficient shipping casks available at this time, but the industrial capability to meet projected needs appears adequate. (ERA citation 08:055493)

• Corporate Authors:

  Batelle Memorial Institute/Pacific Northwest Labs

  Battelle Boulevard, P.O. Box 999
  Richland, WA  United States  99352
• Authors:
  • Elder, H K
• Publication Date: 1983-9

Media Info

• Pagination: 92 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Barges; Freight handling; Hazardous materials; Intermodal transportation; Radioactive waste disposal; Railroad transportation; Spent reactor fuels; Trucks; Water transportation
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Marine Transportation; Motor Carriers; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I82: Accidents and Transport Infrastructure;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00384812
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: PNL-4857
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 30 1984 12:00AM