// Repository Design

LABRADOR

The status quo of the storage of spent fuel elements from decommissioned German research reactors.

Within the scope of the project, the current status of the storage and treatment of research reactor fuel elements was researched and compiled. Based on this, a solution approach for their future treatment/storage was developed. The waste inventory of fuel elements from German research reactors to be considered for disposal in Germany was determined. This includes the fuel elements from the two high-temperature reactors AVR and THTR 300, the non-reprocessed fuel rods from KNK II and the nuclear ship Otto-Hahn, the fuel elements from RFR and FRM II, as well as the fuel elements from BER II and FRMZ that have been generated since 2019. These fuel elements/fuel rods were described and characterized, especially regarding their relevant properties for disposal. Since there are currently no approved disposal containers for these fuel elements/fuel rods, a description of suitable containers was provided. The total activities, volumes, and masses of the waste packages were determined. Furthermore, an assessment of the need for adaptation measures for disposal was carried out for the transport and storage containers. A technical concept for the disposal of these fuel elements/fuel rods was developed. In this context, the integration of research reactor fuel elements into existing disposal concepts for fuel elements from German power reactors and for reprocessing waste for the host rocks salt and clay was carried out. In summary, it was shown that integration of fuel elements/fuel rods from research reactors into existing disposal concepts in Germany is possible without major changes.