Design and application of impact limiter for a spent fuel transport cask

Abstract

As a key component of the spent fuel cask, the impact limiter can avoid the leakage of radioactive substances caused by the destruction of the container during the transport process and ensure the safe transport of nuclear spent fuel. In order to design a impact limiter that meets the engineering requirements, the effect of impact limiter size on the damping effect of the transport container was studied. The dispersity of wood compressive strength was obtained by wood compressive strength test. The 9m over center of gravity angle drop analysis of the transport container was carried out using the finite element method, and the 9m over center of gravity angle drop test was also carried out. The container acceleration and impact limiter deformation obtained by the test were consistent with the simulation results. The impact limiter of the cask is reasonably designed and can provide shock absorption and cushioning to the transport container. Generally speaking, the larger the size of the impact limiter, the more energy it absorbs but the damping effect decreases after its size exceeds a certain point. The simulation results show that when the energy absorption of the impact limiter is sufficient, the cushioning effect of wood with low compressive strength is better and the effect of wood compressive strength dispersity should be fully considered in the design.