DAMAGED AND EXPERIMENTAL. AND NOW? THE FUEL MANAGEMENT IN THE SWITCHED OFF NPP NORTH (GERMANY)

Between start of operation in 1966 of the NPP Rheinsberg (KKR), the shut down of the last unit in NPP Greifswald (KGR) and today, several interesting events conserning the nuclear fuel took place. After the reunification of Germany, all units changed into a post-operation phase. To reach a higher safety level and prepare dismantling, several important decisions were required. The removal of the fuel cores became highest priority. A new storage strategy was needed. Dry transport/storage casks in connection with a long term interim storage seemed the best option. To make decisions is one thing, execution another. So it was necessary to resolve several issues. The major ones will be explained below. Safe drying of defect spent fuel and a method to keep the fuel dry during long term storage was designed. The cost saving storage of very different parts of spent fuel in only one cask will also be reported