Recently, a prototype of “Dragon Boat–CNSC Spent Fuel Shipping Cask Development” project， which is the National Major Science and Technology Project and CNNC Special Science and Technology Project, passed the acceptance test.
In recent years, B4C / Al neutron absorbing materials have been widely used in foreign countries to replace boron stainless steel for high-density storage and transportation of nuclear fuel and spent fuel. Due to the relatively late commercialization of nuclear power in China, research and development of neutron-absorbing materials lagged far behind, resulting in long-term dependence on imported absorbent materials.
The boron carbide reinforced aluminum (B4C / Al) neutron absorbing material was developed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences-Institute of Metal Research. It has provided important support for the full localization of spent fuel transport containers.
It is understood that in view of the needs for cylindrical structure of the neutron absorbing materials by world’s first high-temperature gas-cooled reactor fuel components’ storage and shipping, the researchers also in China for the first time achieve plate rolling operation and friction-stir welding of the neutron absorbing material.
At present, Huaneng Shandong Shidao Bay HTR demonstration project have formally entered the mass production stage of the storage and shipping casks. And the container neutron absorber plate supply was awarded to CAS- Institute of Metal Research.
