Czech-Ukrainian Online Conference on CLTDS-SNF-BA Project — Development of Containers for Long-Term Dry Storage of Spent Nuclear Fuel

On March 7, 2023, a Declarative Protocol was signed following an online conference between Czech and Ukrainian partners to discuss the development of containers for long-term safe storage of spent nuclear fuel (SNF).

Czech Participants

• Witkowitz Atomica a.s. — Bronislav Kulikov, David Khrobok, Vasyl Grabar
• Bresson Power a.s. — Bronislav Kulikov
• EAES (European Association for Energy Security z.s) — Bronislav Kulikov
• Czech Atom a.s. — Dalibor Mateju
• ÚJV Řež a.s. (Czech Institute of Nuclear Research) — Jiří Žďárek
• Czech Technical University in Prague — Jiří Janovec

Ukrainian Participants

• SE NNEGC "Energoatom" — Oleg Godun, Yevhen Hrytsayenko, Yuriy Cherepanov
• NSC KhFTI (National Science Center "Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology") — Sergiy Saenko, Sergiy Pugach
• National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine — Anatoliy Nosovskyi
• Sumy State University — Volodymyr Rybalchenko, Denys Kurbatov
• UNTs (Ukrainian Scientific and Technical Centre) — Mykola Lubiv

Project Focus

The conference focused on two main projects:

1. DAVID SMR: Small modular nuclear reactor technology development

2. CLTDS-SNF-BA: Development of a line of containers for long-term dry storage of spent nuclear fuel using a specialized boraluminum alloy — ALLOBOR-5

Key Technical Achievements

• ALLOBOR-5 Alloy: New boraluminum alloy being developed for the inner basket of SNF containers, ensuring storage for over 100 years
• Development offers improved solution compared to existing technologies
• Significant Ukrainian participation in development and potential production
• Integration possibilities with European programs including "Euratom" and "EURAD-2" project

Outcomes

• Formation of working administrative group for EU support applications
• Representatives from BREWIT and FS ČVUT to prepare project development report
• Testing of ALLOBOR-5 scheduled for autumn 2023

The "BREWIT" (BRESSON-WITKOWITZ) initiative drives this Czech-Ukrainian project aimed at developing Ukrainian alternatives to imported SNF container technologies while contributing to Europe's energy security and decarbonization efforts.