System Analysis Modeling and Intermodal Transportation for Commercial Spent

TL;DR

This paper introduces an agent-based system analysis model to evaluate intermodal transportation options for managing spent nuclear fuel in the US, focusing on logistics, infrastructure, and operational strategies.

Contribution

It develops the Next Generation System Analysis Model (NGSAM) to simulate and analyze intermodal SNF transportation scenarios, considering infrastructure and operational constraints.

Findings

Rail is the preferred transportation mode for SNF.

Intermodal transfer options include barge and heavy-haul truck.

The model helps identify optimal transportation strategies under various scenarios.

Abstract

The United States Department of Energy has long term goals to develop solutions for managing the nations spent nuclear fuel and high-level waste inventory. The Integrated Waste Management program is employing system-level engineering and analysis principles to inform potential future waste management system architectures. Managing the SNF requires the use of system-level analysis software that considers waste generation, on-site (centralized storage), transportation infrastructure, and long-term disposal. The Next Generation System Analysis Model is an agent-based model that was developed to simulate the transportation and storage of SNF and HLW. NGSAM has the capability to detail the interaction and movement of individual components and groups, such as rail cars and casks. The SNF inventory from commercial nuclear reactors is currently in temporary storage at multiple locations spread across the US. Shipping of SNF from these locations relies on one of three transportation modes: rail, heavy-haul truck, or barge. Rail is the most preferred due to the size of the canisters and casks the SNF would be shipped in. Under some scenarios, a rail route might not be available to a reactor site or improving the rail infrastructure at shutdown sites might be too cost-prohibitive for utilities to opt for a direct rail transfer. Under such scenarios, using a barge or heavy haul truck to de-inventory the site and transfer the SNF to a nearby intermodal transfer site with adequate rail infrastructure where the payload could be transferred to a rail car might prove to be an attractive option. This work presents the various intermodal transportation options to move SNF from reactor sites to rail cars. Next, the operational steps in each of these modes to move the SNF from a reactor site and transfer it to a rail car is explored. The ideology, assumptions, and future steps are presented.