Canada's plan

News release: The NWMO continues to lead with technical innovations

Copper coated used fuel container with NTS tank, Aug. 19, 2019.

The copper cladded used fuel container is part of the NWMO’s multiple-barrier system (naturally occurring and engineered barriers working together) to ensure safety in a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

August 19, 2019

Oakville, Ont.

By the NWMO

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Copper coated used fuel container with NTS tank, Aug. 19, 2019.

The copper cladded used fuel container is part of the NWMO’s multiple-barrier system (naturally occurring and engineered barriers working together) to ensure safety in a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) has designed, developed and fabricated a first-of-a-kind system to clad our used fuel containers (UFCs) with copper through an electroplating process. The copper will prevent corrosion of the steel UFCs, which will eventually be used to contain and isolate Canada’s used nuclear fuel in a deep geological repository.

 

“The Nanovate Testing System (NTS) tank is purpose-built specifically to coat our used fuel containers with copper,” said Derek Wilson, Chief Engineer and Vice-President of Contract Management at the NWMO. “Many factors – such as temperature, chemical solution and surface finish – can affect the outcome. With careful consideration of these factors, we have had success.”

 

The NWMO worked with an industry partner to develop the innovative electroplating technologies. After immersing the used fuel container in the copper-based electroplating solution for approximately 10 days, copper cladding four to five millimetres thick forms. Although electroplating has been around for at least 100 years – it is typically used to make copper pennies – this is one of the first adaptations of the technology to create thick cladding.

 

The NWMO’s progress will also be of interest to others. “This is an opportunity for the NWMO to reinforce our commitment to share knowledge with used nuclear fuel organizations in other countries such as Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom,” said Mr. Wilson.

 

The copper cladded used fuel container is part of the NWMO’s multiple-barrier system (naturally occurring and engineered barriers working together) to ensure safety in a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

 

These accomplishments represent milestones in the NWMO’s proof test program and help to advance Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

 

About the NWMO

The Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s used nuclear fuel inside a deep geological repository, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

Founded in 2002, the NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders that are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it. The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and two areas remain in our site selection process: the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation-Ignace area in northwestern Ontario and the Saugeen Ojibway Nation-South Bruce area in southern Ontario.
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the NWMO

The NWMO is a not-for profit organization established in 2002 by Canada's nuclear electricity producers in accordance with the Nuclear Fuel Waste Act (NFWA).

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