Study on the Development Path of AFR Storage for Spent Fuel in China

Abstract Away-from-reactor (AFR) storage of spent fuel is the “intermediate storage” after transported from a nuclear power plant site before final treatment and disposal. AFR storage not only ensures the safe operation of nuclear power plants, but also provides a buffer for spent fuel reprocessing or geological disposal. It is considered an important industry sector in spent fuel management in various nuclear power countries around the world. Under the background of the “carbon peak and carbon neutrality” goal, China nuclear energy will maintain a steady and rapid pace of development. The annual production of spent fuel will also increase year by year, and the demand for AFR storage will become increasingly large. However, there are various types of pressurized water reactor nuclear power units in China, resulting in different requirements for spent fuel management. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen top-level design, taking into account many factors such as safety, technological maturity, and economy, and combine with the demand forecast of China’s nuclear power development to develop an AFR storage capacity construction plan. This study shows that it is necessary to adhere to the principle of “more concentration and less dispersion”, and start the construction of China’s spent fuel AFR storage capacity as soon as possible.