South Korea’s Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction on 3 June signed an agreement with Kepco E&C and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (Kaeri) for cooperation in technology to manage used nuclear fuel.
Doosan has the technology to design and manufacture used fuel storage containers (casks), while KEPCO E&C is capable of designing each phase in the management of used fuel rods. Kaeri has the capability to research and develop used fuel management systems. The three have now decided to cooperate in promoting projects related to the transportation, storage and disposal of used fuel.
Doosan said the number of used nuclear fuel bundles generated from nuclear reactors currently in operation and under construction in South Korea is estimated at 63,000. About 3000 sets of storage containers are needed to handle these bundles. Doosan forecasts that they will form a KRW12,000bn ($11.2bn) programme, and that some 50 small and medium enterprises in Korea will be able to take part in the project.
"This agreement has laid the groundwork for Korean companies and organisations’ leading the spent fuel market," said Na Ki-yong, Doosan vice president.
