Final Solution for Leaking Fuel Rods and Fissile Fragments
Severely damaged fuel rods, broken fuel rods and loose fissile material are not allowed to be transported away from a nuclear power plant in a standard transportation cask. Westinghouse Quiver, shaped and handled as a Fuel Assembly, solves this problem by creating an additional barrier around the damaged fuel components. The Quiver can be licensed for all downstream handling, from the nuclear powerplant to transportation cask, intermediate storage and final repository.
Safe, Simple and Cost-effective:
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Provides a barrier that exceeds standard fuel assembly requirements for tightness, mechanical strength and mass—supporting long-term storage and transport.
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Quiver is loaded with failed fuel rods, rod pieces and pellet fragments.
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With a temporary lid mounted, the Quiver can be used as an ordinary failed fuel rod storage magazine, while it’s being filled up with fuel rods and fissile fragments.
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The Quiver lid is sealed with a metallic seal screw joint, with no welding required.
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All handling occurs completely under water.
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Movement of Quiver performed with the same equipment as used for Fuel Assemblies.
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No special treatment is necessary with standardized procedures.
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The Quiver content can be dried and backfilled with helium in the spent fuel pool.
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Store the Quiver in a dry cask among other Fuel Assemblies without the need for a Damaged Fuel Can.
Successfully implemented in operating plants in Sweden, Switzerland and South Korea, the Westinghouse Quiver gives leaking fuel and pellet fragments a stronger, leak tight and qualified barrier — enabling safe preparation for dry cask storage, interim storage and final repository.
