Evaluating global dry storage cask designs: Insights for APR1400 spent fuel in challenging UAE conditions

The safe management of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) presents an important obstacle to the sustainability of global nuclear energy initiatives. Although dry storage casks (DSCs) as HI STORM, TN 32, NAC MPC, and Doosan systems have exhibited strong performance in temperate climates, their long-term durability in arid, salty, and seismically active conditions is still inadequately investigated. This study establishes a comprehensive methodology to assess DSC technologies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where four APR1400 reactors at the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant provide distinct storage issues. The methodology integrates multi-criteria benchmarking, regulatory compliance evaluation, and scenario-based stress testing to encompass both technical and policy aspects. Results indicate that while current DSCs satisfy fundamental safety standards, their unaltered implementation in the UAE could jeopardize long-term efficacy due to severe temperatures, chloride-induced corrosion, and dust-related airflow impediments. Adaptation solutions, such as employing duplex stainless steels, chloride-resistant concretes, and below-grade vented vertical modules (VVMs), markedly enhance resilience and conform to the safety frameworks of FANR, IAEA, and NRC. The results present a replicable framework for modifying SNF storage systems in dry coastal areas, delivering engineering solutions and regulatory guidance for developing nuclear initiatives.