Dry Storage

Safety | Security | Environmental protection | Map of dry storage containers | Dry storage process

Dry Storage Canisters

Constructed of stainless steel, the dry storage canisters are: 6 feet in diameter 16 feet tall and will typically hold about 32 fuel assemblies. The canisters are loaded into concrete modules, which provide a barrier around the used fuel that measures approximately two to four feet thick. The design is certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the federal government agency that oversees all U.S. nuclear power plants.

Shown here is the metal canister in which used fuel will be loaded. The canister is then placed in a concrete module.

Safety

Dry storage facilities are designed for protection. The steel and concrete containers:

• provide radiation shielding for employees, the public and the environment
• protect the canister from natural disasters, such as hurricanes (including the potential storm surge and flooding associated with hurricanes), fires, earthquakes, and other natural or man-made disasters.
• provide natural airflow cooling of the used fuel inside.

Security

The dry storage canisters will be placed on a concrete pad within the plant’s security area. FPL's Nuclear Fleet plants have extensive security features including

• robust physical barriers such as concrete barriers and crash resistant gates
• a comprehensive security system, including a high-tech intrusion detection and alarm system and security fencing
• trained and highly qualified security officers who meet rigorous regulatory qualifications.

Access to the canisters will be under strict nuclear security control. Monitoring of canister condition will be part of regularly scheduled operations performed by our personnel.

Environmental Protection

The canisters, the concrete modules and the foundation pad will be clean with no pollutants or contaminants on the external surfaces. Since this is “dry storage”, there is no water that can leak from the containers.

With the multiple barriers of steel and concrete surrounding the used fuel, radiation from the canisters will be well below the levels of background radiation from the sun, soil and other sources that surround us everyday. Radiation will be constantly monitored at the dry storage site and will meet strict federal requirements.

Map Of Dry Storage Locations

click on map to enlarge

Dry Storage Process

The loading and transfer of dry storage canisters will be conducted – and strictly controlled – by a team of trained nuclear professionals using detailed procedures. The process will work as follows:

Step	Description
1	A sturdy stainless-steel canister is loaded into a metal transfer cask and placed in the used fuel pool. Used fuel is then loaded into the canister. A lid is placed on the canister, and the transfer cask with all its contents is removed from the used fuel pool.
2	After movement to a separate building, the canister lid is welded in place, and the water is drained from the canister. Then, the canister is dried, sealed and inspected.
3	The transfer cask, with the sealed canister inside, is placed on a trailer and transported to the dry storage site, which will be located inside the plant's security area.
4	The canister is loaded and sealed into a two to four-feet-thick reinforced concrete dry storage "module" that provides support and protection. These modules will be located on a concrete foundation pad.