Testing of the Sealing Arrangements for the Nirex Re-Usable Shielded Transport Containers

Abstract

As part of its responsibility for the development of a deep repository for intermediate and low level radioactive waste, UK Nirex Ltd is developing a range of Type B re-usable shielded transport containers (RSTCs). A testing programme has been carried out on two alternative concepts for the RSTC sealing arrangements over the temperature range −40^°C to 200^°C. For each sealing system, a test rig was developed to measure the performance under simulated normal and accident conditions of transport. The elastomer O-rings used for some of the tests had been irradiated to the maximum dose they might receive in normal transport. The performance of both sealing systems was good and it is concluded that either concept would meet the specified leakage criteria over the full temperature range under both normal and accident conditions of transport. However, further testing is required to confirm the performance of Concept N under accident conditions.