Value/Impact Analyses of Accident Preventive and Mitigative Options for Spent Fuel Pools (NUREG/CR-5281, BNL-NUREG-52180)

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Publication Information

Manuscript Completed: January 1989
Date Published: March 1989

Prepared by:
J.H. Jo, P.F. Rose, S.D. Unwin, V.L. Sailor,
K.R. Perkins, A.G. Tingle
Reliability and Physical Analysis Group
Department of Nuclear Energy
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY 11973

Prepared for:
Division of Safety Issue Resolution
Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington, DC 20555-0001

NRC FIN A-3963

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Abstract

A series of value/impact studies were performed for accident preventive and mitigative options intended to reduce the risks posed by the storage of spent fuel at nuclear power plants in spent fuel storage pools. Options studied included limited low-density reracking of spent fuel, installation of water sprays above the spent fuel pool, and the installation of redundant cooling and/or makeup systems. The results of these studies indicated that the measures were in general not likely to be cost effective. The reason for this is due to both the low likelihood of a spent fuel pool accident that could result in a significant radiological release and the high cost of proposed modifications. These insights are largely contingent upon compliance with guidelines developed for licensees to assure the safe handling of heavy loads in the vicinity of spent fuel pools thus reducing the likelihood of the structural failure of the pool and rapid loss of water inventory due to a cask drop event.