NAC International Submits License Application for New Generation of Multipurpose System Technology
September 2, 2004
Norcross, Georgia— NAC International (NAC) has submitted an application to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for approval of a new generation of dry spent fuel storage technology. This new multipurpose system, called the Modular, Advanced Generation, Nuclear All-purpose Storage (MAGNASTOR®) System, has been developed over the last 15 months and builds upon NAC’s experience with its highly successful UMS and MPC technologies.
NAC has developed the MAGNASTOR System to provide improved capacity, operations, and fuel coverage for the growing number of nuclear facilities in the dry storage market, both domestically and internationally. Such improvements draw upon the lessons learned from the design and licensing of three earlier dual and multipurpose systems, and from the fabrication, construction, and loading of more than 100 of these systems.
The MAGNASTOR System offers the following significant design features:
Operational improvements derive from design features for enhancing canister-drying capabilities, for reducing welding time and personnel radiation exposure, and for increasing cask-handling flexibility at a variety of plant sites.
Peter Walier, NAC President & CEO, commented: “NAC has been closely involved with spent fuel system design, licensing, supply, and operations for many years with our LWT, UMS, MPC, and STC systems. We have learned many lessons from this involvement, especially over the last 4 years, when we delivered, constructed, and loaded so many UMS and MPC systems. Last year, it was clear to our management team that our customers would be well served by a new generation technology drawing upon these lessons.”
“We believe that MAGNASTOR is the type of approach the dry storage market will need as its growth rate accelerates, and that MAGNASTOR will assure NAC’s spent fuel storage and transport systems continue to represent the best value in dry spent fuel storage for our customers.”
With the submittal of the MAGNASTOR System application to the NRC, NAC anticipates receiving the NRC Certificate of Compliance in 2006 for use of the MAGNASTOR System under the general license provisions of 10CFR72. First deliveries of the MAGNASTOR system would be possible in that same time frame. The MAGNASTOR transport license application will be submitted next year, with anticipated certification in late 2006.
NAC's current dry storage technologies, the UMS and MPC systems, have been most successful in serving the needs of the nuclear industry as the requirements for expanded spent fuel storage have escalated. Currently, 224 UMS and MPC dry multipurpose storage systems have been ordered, with more than 180 of these delivered and constructed, and 115 loaded for storage. By the end of 2004, NAC anticipates that more than 140 UMS and MPC systems will be loaded. Over the last two decades, NAC has been involved in the design, licensing, fabrication and delivery of more than 235 spent fuel storage and transport systems, both domestically and internationally, in addition to hundreds of specialized spent fuel canisters and baskets for its transport cask fleet to support worldwide shipment of spent fuel.
Since 1968, NAC has been a leader in providing solutions and services to the nuclear industry throughout the world, working with both government and commercial organizations. NAC specializes in nuclear fuel transport, spent fuel management technology, and fuel cycle consulting. The company is in the process of being acquired by USEC Inc., the world’s leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants, based in Bethesda, Maryland. NAC’s Atlanta Corporate Headquarters is located in Norcross, Georgia, with offices in Washington, D.C.; Moscow; London; Tokyo; and Aiken, South Carolina.
NAC has developed the MAGNASTOR System to provide improved capacity, operations, and fuel coverage for the growing number of nuclear facilities in the dry storage market, both domestically and internationally. Such improvements draw upon the lessons learned from the design and licensing of three earlier dual and multipurpose systems, and from the fabrication, construction, and loading of more than 100 of these systems.
The MAGNASTOR System offers the following significant design features:
- Capacities of 37 PWR or 87 BWR spent fuel assemblies;
- System heat capacity of 40 kW using a highly efficient convective/conductive basket design;
- Expanded fuel parameter coverage, including burnups to 70 GWd/MtU, short cooling times, enrichments to 5%, and fuel with various inserts.
Operational improvements derive from design features for enhancing canister-drying capabilities, for reducing welding time and personnel radiation exposure, and for increasing cask-handling flexibility at a variety of plant sites.
Peter Walier, NAC President & CEO, commented: “NAC has been closely involved with spent fuel system design, licensing, supply, and operations for many years with our LWT, UMS, MPC, and STC systems. We have learned many lessons from this involvement, especially over the last 4 years, when we delivered, constructed, and loaded so many UMS and MPC systems. Last year, it was clear to our management team that our customers would be well served by a new generation technology drawing upon these lessons.”
“We believe that MAGNASTOR is the type of approach the dry storage market will need as its growth rate accelerates, and that MAGNASTOR will assure NAC’s spent fuel storage and transport systems continue to represent the best value in dry spent fuel storage for our customers.”
With the submittal of the MAGNASTOR System application to the NRC, NAC anticipates receiving the NRC Certificate of Compliance in 2006 for use of the MAGNASTOR System under the general license provisions of 10CFR72. First deliveries of the MAGNASTOR system would be possible in that same time frame. The MAGNASTOR transport license application will be submitted next year, with anticipated certification in late 2006.
NAC's current dry storage technologies, the UMS and MPC systems, have been most successful in serving the needs of the nuclear industry as the requirements for expanded spent fuel storage have escalated. Currently, 224 UMS and MPC dry multipurpose storage systems have been ordered, with more than 180 of these delivered and constructed, and 115 loaded for storage. By the end of 2004, NAC anticipates that more than 140 UMS and MPC systems will be loaded. Over the last two decades, NAC has been involved in the design, licensing, fabrication and delivery of more than 235 spent fuel storage and transport systems, both domestically and internationally, in addition to hundreds of specialized spent fuel canisters and baskets for its transport cask fleet to support worldwide shipment of spent fuel.
Since 1968, NAC has been a leader in providing solutions and services to the nuclear industry throughout the world, working with both government and commercial organizations. NAC specializes in nuclear fuel transport, spent fuel management technology, and fuel cycle consulting. The company is in the process of being acquired by USEC Inc., the world’s leading supplier of enriched uranium fuel for commercial nuclear power plants, based in Bethesda, Maryland. NAC’s Atlanta Corporate Headquarters is located in Norcross, Georgia, with offices in Washington, D.C.; Moscow; London; Tokyo; and Aiken, South Carolina.
