Each FRM II fuel element provides neutrons for research, industry, and medicine for up to 60 days. After their use, the spent fuel elements are stored in the storage pool of the research neutron source for at least 6.5 years. As long as no final disposal is available, the fuel elements have to be stored temporarily.
As planned, the FRM II spent fuel elements are to be transported to the Ahaus interim storage of the BGZ Gesellschaft für Zwischenlagerung mbH in several transports over the next few years.
Function test: Close to reality with dummy fuel element
In the past months, the FRM II technical staff successfully performed all steps of the functional test: the handling of the CASTOR® MTR3 transport and storage cask as well as the loading and unloading of the transport vehicle. The functional test took place in the presence of the experts and the responsible authorities. The additional external specialist companies involved have many years of experience in loading, handling, and transporting CASTOR® casks.
A "dummy fuel element" was used for the functional test in order to simulate the loading as realistically as possible. All processes were monitored, evaluated, and precisely recorded in real time. The functional test serves as proof that the research neutron source is technically capable of carrying out the entire process. This informative photo gallery shows how the functional test on the FRM II proceeded.
New project website: Disposal of fuel elements
The Research Neutron Source Heinz-Maier Leibnitz (FRM II) will continue to inform the public about further steps of the project. From now on, current information on the planned "disposal of the fuel elements" can be found on the website www.frm2.tum.de/entsorgung-der-brennelemente/. A joint information brochure of FRM II and BGZ Gesellschaft für Zwischenlagerung mbH, gives information about the background of the planned transports.
Further information:
New webpage: Entsorgung der Brennelemente
