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RAD FACTS about Irradiated Fuel Bays
RAD FACTS about Irradiated Fuel Bays. Learn how irradiated fuel keeps its cool in Canada.
An illustration of an irradiated fuel bay filled with water and fuel bundles. Around the bay and in the water there are ten text blocks describing interesting facts about irradiated fuel bays. Depth marks are indicated on the right side of the pool. This illustration explains why these bays are used and how they work.
Pools are inspected regularly,
under the supervision of
Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission specialists.
Pools are inspected regularly,
under the supervision of
Canadian Nuclear Safety
Commission specialists.
Bays are
6 - 8 m deep
(Olympic diving
pools are only
5 m deep).
Bays are
constructed to
meet seismic
standards.
Water
temperature
is 28 to
31˚C.
The fuel
is covered
by 3 to 5 m
of water.
Used nuclear fuel
produces several
types of ionizing
radiation, some of
which can easily
penetrate matter.
Therefore, the fuel
needs to be shielded.
Water is an excellent
shielding agent
because it is relatively
dense (1g/mL) and
uniform. Water also
acts as a good
cooling agent.
One metre of water
decreases the dose
to a worker by
a factor of 100,000.
Three metres of
water decreases
the dose by a factor
of 10 trillion.
Used nuclear fuel
produces several
types of ionizing
radiation, some of
which can easily
penetrate matter.
Therefore, the fuel
needs to be shielded.
Water is an excellent
shielding agent
because it is relatively
dense (1g/mL) and
uniform. Water also
acts as a good
cooling agent.
One metre of water
decreases the dose
to a worker by
a factor of 100,000.
Three metres of
water decreases
the dose by a factor
of 10 trillion.
After being removed from the reactors, irradiated fuel
bundles are stored for 7 to 10 years in in-ground pools
of water, which provide cooling and shielding, until it
is safe to move them to dry storage.
RAD FACTS
about Irradiated Fuel Bays
1 m deep
3 m deep
5 m deep
4 m deep
6 m deep
7 m deep
2 m deep
Date modified:
2017-05-12