Nuclear Energy. The ATLAS Railcar Project. Patrick R. Schwab. January 2016

Transcription

1 Nuclear Fuels Storage & Transportation Planning Project Office of Fuel Cycle Technologies Nuclear Energy The ATLAS Railcar Project Patrick R. Schwab January 2016

2 Outline The Need for New ATLAS Railcars AAR Standard S-2043 U.S. Navy s M-290 Railcar Project FY 2014 and 2015 Contract Activities Contract Details Path Forward Beyond the Current Contract Summary 2

3 The Need for New ATLAS Railcars The Blue Ribbon Commission recommended development of a large-scale transportation system for commercial SNF and HLW (January 2012). The Administration s Strategy for the Management and Disposal of Used Nuclear Fuel and High-Level Waste (January 2013) includes activities to: Establish one or more interim storage facilities, and Prepare for a large-scale transportation program. Development of railcars is destination-independent Necessary regardless of where the material is eventually transported. 3

4 The Need for New ATLAS Railcars Association of American Railroads (AAR) Standard S-2043, Performance Specification for Trains Used to Carry High-Level Radioactive Material, provides the performance specification for these cars. DOE has made agreements with the Union Pacific and BNSF railroad companies, which state, All cars supplied by the Government Shipper will comply with AAR Construction Standards State governments would likely endorse the use of railcars that comply with S

5 Why New Railcars Now? ATLAS Railcar Project Schedule Project Completion in

6 AAR Standard S-2043 S-2043 reduces the likelihood of derailment and thereby reduces risk. S-2043 is the most comprehensive railcar standard published by AAR. Requires comprehensive analysis during the design phase Requires comprehensive testing phase Analytical results from design phase must match testing results S-2043 requires use of state-of-the-art components. Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) Brakes System Safety Monitoring Location, speed, truck hunting, rocking, wheel flats, bearing condition, ride quality, braking performance, and vertical, lateral and longitudinal acceleration S-2043 requires maintenance and inspections during operations. 6

7 The U.S. Navy s M-290 Railcar Project 7

8 The U.S. Navy s M-290 Railcar Project The Navy started development in The Navy s M-290 railcar is compliant with AAR Standard S-2043 as a single car, and in a complete consist. The Navy obtained conditional approval from AAR in August

9 The U.S. Navy s M-290 Railcar Project Why can t DOE use the same design, or a slightly modified design, thereby saving time and money on a development project? The M-290, with 12 axles, is much too large because the Navy s cask weighs 260 tons. The ATLAS railcar, with only 8 axles, will carry commercial SNF casks weighing up to 156 tons. Any modification to the design would require a new development and testing effort. The extra fabrication and maintenance costs would probably exceed the savings from the reduced development project. DOE is leveraging the lessons learned. 9

10 FY2014 and 2015 Contract Activities Request for Information and Sources Sought Notice posted on April 28, Solicitation posted on December 8, Proposals received on February 23, Contract with AREVA Federal Services signed on August 21, Firm fixed-price contract Kasgro Rail, designer and fabricator of the M-290 railcar, is a subcontractor to AREVA Federal Services 10

11 ATLAS Railcar Project Schedule FY 2014 and 2015 Contract Activities 11

12 Contract Details Contract covers conceptual and preliminary designs, including associated analyses, and prototype fabrication for the ATLAS Railcar Project. Contract Period of Performance is 43 months, with a completion date of March Contract price is $8.63 million. This is a firm fixed price. Contract is divided into 3 phases. Phase 1 Mobilization and Conceptual Design Phase 2 Preliminary Design Phase 3 Prototype Fabrication and Delivery 12

13 ATLAS Railcar Project Schedule Current Contract, with Three Phases 13

14 Path Forward Beyond the Current Contract More procurements will be necessary to finish the ATLAS Railcar Project Follow-on contract to perform the testing and obtain AAR approval NFST is evaluating alternatives for the escort railcar US Navy is developing an escort railcar Longer term, DOE will have several options to manage railcars and perform shipments: Buy railcars and store/maintain at DOE site Buy railcars and contract for storage/maintenance Lease railcars Contract with company(ies) for shipment campaign(s) 14

15 Summary ATLAS railcars compliant with AAR Standard S-2043 are needed, are destination-independent, and are long-lead-time items. DOE NE has signed a contract with AREVA for development of cask and buffer railcars. Contract covers conceptual and preliminary design, including associated analysis, and prototype fabrication Follow-on work will be required to obtain AAR approval for the cask and buffer railcars. DOE is considering options for obtaining escort cars. 15