Spent Nuclear Fuel Dual-Purpose Canisters

The United States has generated over 70,000 tons of spent nuclear fuel to produce electricity. Much of this spent nuclear fuel is currently stored at reactor sites in canisters that are designed and licensed to store spent nuclear fuel but not to dispose of it - these are referred to as dual-purpose canisters.
SAND2023-14707V

[@jeffreywhite4962]

thank you again for this info !

[@phasm42]

The fact that we have national laboratories is something we can be proud of 😁

[@qcislander]

The fact that we NEED national laboratories to research and implement what *on the ground* science (including what Sandia has done) has already made plain for decades, doesn't say much in favor of "being proud". It DOES say we oughta be a lot more vocal in making sure we know the facts and get our informed understanding/opinion known.

[@anthonyalbillar-montez5946]

Attention I am just a civilian.

[@brazosbear4593]

I have never understood why spent fuel can still go critical after its been spent. If it can still produce that much energy can't it still be used until it is just contaminated waste?

[@Shaker626]

It can, but Carter made it illegal to use in this way. In theory it could all be given to Canada, which has reactor technology that can use spent LWR fuel.