Sensitivity analysis for best-estimate thermal models of vertical dry cask storage systems

Fuel irradiation history parameters that drive decay heat (such as the discharge burnup and average moderator density) nevertheless dominate peak clad temperature sensitivity. While the assembly power history significantly influences short-term decay heat post-discharge, it manifests minimal sensitivity for cooling times over 10 years and is thus of negligible importance for assemblies stored in wet storage for at least this time.