Interim Storage of Spent Fuel Course
Online 300-hour course in interim storage of spent fuel. 6 modules covering IAEA SSG-15 (storage of spent fuel), Directive 2011/70/Euratom (management of spent fuel and radioactive waste) and SCALE. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Explain the role of interim storage in the fuel cycle.
Describe the safety functions of pool storage.
Compare dry storage systems and their containers.
Analyse the logistics of a centralised interim storage facility.
Identify the requirements for safety, physical protection and safeguards.
Evaluate ageing management in long-term storage facilities.
Plan the transition towards the final disposal solution.
Who it's for
- Spent fuel management engineer who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Nuclear licensing specialist who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Thermal and structural analysis engineer who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Radiation protection technician who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Safeguards inspector who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Radioactive waste logistics planner who wishes to specialise in Interim Storage of Spent Fuel.
- Graduates in engineering or science seeking to enter nuclear power plants.
What you'll work with
- IAEA SSG-15 (storage of spent fuel)
- Directive 2011/70/Euratom (management of spent fuel and radioactive waste)
- IAEA GSR Part 5 (predisposal management of radioactive waste)
- IAEA SSR-6 (safe transport of radioactive material)
- 10 CFR Part 72 (independent storage of spent fuel, USA)
- Royal Decree 102/2014 (responsible management of spent fuel and waste)
- IAEA INFCIRC/153 (safeguards agreements)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1Why interim storage is necessary1.2Planned timescales and actual timescales1.3Pool, dry and centralised storage1.4Available capacity and saturation1.5Fit within the national strategy1.6Regulatory framework and licensing1.7Stakeholders and responsibilities1.8International experience1.9Decisions that shape the future1.10Exercise: analyse the situation of a power plant
2.1Functions of the fuel pool2.2Cooling systems and redundancy2.3Water purification and chemical control2.4Storage racks and their geometry2.5Subcriticality control and absorbers2.6Rearrangement and compact racks2.7Loss of cooling and response times2.8Radiological monitoring of the building2.9Pool ageing management2.10Practice: analyse a loss-of-cooling scenario
3.1Concepts of canister and vault3.2Loading, drying and inerting3.3Passive cooling by convection3.4Thermal criteria for the cladding3.5Shielding and surface dose rates3.6Storage pad and its design3.7Temperature and leak-tightness monitoring3.8Periodic inspection and robotics3.9Long-term degradation of components3.10Practice: verify the criteria of a container
4.1Functions and design of a centralised storage facility4.2Receipt, inspection and inventory management4.3Transport from power plants4.4Planning transfer campaigns4.5Routes, authorisations and coordination4.6Physical protection during transport4.7Capacity, expansion and service life4.8Construction and operating costs4.9Relationship with the local community4.10Practice: plan a transfer campaign
5.1Safety analysis of the facility5.2External events: earthquake, flood and impact5.3Physical protection and access control5.4Safeguards and inventory verification5.5Facility emergency plan5.6Retrievability and re-encapsulation5.7Compatibility with final management5.8Licence extension and safety review5.9Knowledge management over decades5.10Practice: periodic safety review
6.1Selection of the inventory and site6.2Comparison of storage options6.3Conceptual design of the chosen solution6.4Thermal, shielding and subcriticality verification6.5Operation and monitoring plan6.6Physical protection and emergency plan6.7Logistics and schedule6.8Costs and financing6.9Technical report6.10Project defence
How you'll learn
100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the enrolment period, which makes it compatible with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SCALE, MCNP, ANSYS Mechanical, COMSOL Multiphysics, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied using real procedures for the thermal analysis of dry storage containers, academic criticality and shielding assessment, and review of safety studies for temporary storage facilities. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Explain the role of interim storage in the fuel cycle.
Describe the safety functions of pool storage.
Compare dry storage systems and their containers.
Analyse the logistics of a centralised interim storage facility.
Identify the requirements for safety, physical protection and safeguards.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 300 hours, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You work with SCALE, MCNP, ANSYS Mechanical, COMSOL Multiphysics. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official Ministry qualification.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or Postgraduate Diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Check the credit recognition policy when you enrol.
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