Handling/Storage/Disposal

Vital part of the nuclear fuel cycle

Handling / Storage / Disposal

Radioactive materials, including fuel assemblies, require handling, storage and disposal. This calls for a high level of safety.

CASTOR V/19 fuel assembly transport and storage casks

Handling
TÜV SÜD performs the necessary assessment and testing of handling and transport equipment. This includes acceptance tests for transport containers (for example, load tests) and in-service inspections, for example, B(U)-type transport and storage casks. In-service inspections comprise dimensional checks, testing of load attaching points, leak-tightness and examination of cask documentation.

Storage
Our activities in the area of handling and storage of nuclear fuels and highly radioactive waste involve the assessment and in-process monitoring of these procedures. In so doing, we assess the safety of the equipment used as well as the quality of the operating instructions and personnel qualifications. These services are also available for low- and medium-level radioactive waste. We also investigate the reliability and suitability of remote handling equipment and test the qualification of processes for conditioning and documenting radioactive waste in conformance with requirements. Furthermore, we draw up assessments of safety measures.

Disposal
We assess measures for disposing radioactive residual material and waste that accumulate both during the operation and the decommissioning of nuclear plants and other facilities. Our scope of services includes the development of concepts for minimizing and treating waste, controlling the flow of waste, qualifying treatment methods, and assessing the suitability of radioactive waste for interim and final storage (product auditing). We employ both nondestructive testing methods (such as gamma scanning, digital radiography, computer tomography, passive neutron measurement) and destructive testing methods (sampling followed by radiochemical analysis) for this product control of radioactive waste. We have all the necessary mobile and stationary testing equipment for carrying out these tests.