Neutron absorber considerations for the DOE standardized canister

The DOE Standardized SNF Canister will allow a broad range of DOE-managed fuels to be loaded, stored, transported, and disposed of while avoiding the need to re-open canisters after being sealed. A key safety function of the DOE Standardized SNF Canister is to ensure the material maintains a subcritical configuration for storage, transportation, and disposal. Researchers designed a basket made of a material which should ensure subcriticality (e.g. by geometry control and inclusion of neutron absorber) and be structurally sound. The basket material should resist the corrosive effects of a 10,000 year period in a breached container and still provide adequate neutronic isolation or degrade in a form which prevents a critical configuration of fissile material. This report summarizes the materials evaluated to ensure subcriticality of the DOE Standardized SNF Canister for credible disposal scenarios. Recommendations for future work include performing criticality evaluations using borated stainless steel for the basket material in the DOE Standardized SNF Canister and determining the solubility on boron's corrosion products. If researchers determine the properties of borated stainless steel are insufficient, ANA needs to undergo more corrosion testing and continue the process to become an ASME code case for welded construction.