22.07.2024
The first cask of the newly established CASTOR® geo cask family has been loaded and stored successfully. The cask of the type CASTOR® geo24B accommodates 24 PWR spent fuel assemblies from the Belgian NPP Doel. It is the first of a long series of CASTOR® geo casks ordered by Belgian Electrabel/Synatom for their NPP Doel.
For the Belgian nuclear power plants Doel 3 & 4 GNS supplies casks of the types CASTOR® geo24B and CASTOR® geo21B for 24 and 21 PWR FA respectively. The license for the CASTOR® geo24B cask type has been granted last summer, the license approval process for the CASTOR® geo21B is also underway. The series production of both CASTOR® geo24B and CASTOR® geo21B casks for Belgium has already started in the GNS Cask Manufacturing Center in Mülheim an der Ruhr.
“Safe and timely interim storage plays a vital role in the professional management of our nuclear power plant fleet”, explains Dimitri Stroobants, CEO of Synatom. “The CASTOR® geo casks offer high thermal capacities combined with robust cask design and reliable processes for loading and handling.”
Daniel Oehr, CEO of GNS adds: “The very first loaded CASTOR® geo cask marks an important milestone for our cask business. We have contracts for already more than 100 CASTOR® geo casks and several highly competitive types following up in our development pipeline. This confirms our position as the world leading supplier of metal casks for spent nuclear fuel.”
GNS has developed the CASTOR® geo cask system with extended capacities to meet the individual requirements of its international customers. Utilizing modular design elements, the dual-purpose casks made of robust Ductile Cast iron (DCI) can accommodate up to 37 PWR or 69 BWR fuel assemblies. GNS has over 50 years of experience in utilizing DCI for nuclear casks and can offer unrivalled prices combined with outstanding flexibility and durability.
From Switzerland, GNS has already received orders for CASTOR® geo32CH casks for 32 PWR FA and for CASTOR® geo69CH casks for 69 BWR FA.
The application for approval of the CASTOR® geo26JP for 26 PWR FA for the Japanese market has already been submitted as well as the licensing of the CASTOR® geo69 for 69 BWR FA in the USA.