IPSN Research Programmes on the Behaviour Of UF₆ Transport Containers Exposed to Fires

Abstract

Following the shipwreck of the Mont-Louis in 1984, IPSN initiated a research programme for the assessment of hazards associated with the transport of uranium hexafluoride (UF₆). The main steps were:

(1) the inventory of radioactive and chemical hazards which resulted in the requirement for tightening of the regulations;

(2) proposals to change the international regulations that were finally approved by IAEA in 1996 to be applicable in 2001;

(3) a survey of the known 48Y container performance, which resulted in highlighting considerable uncertainties with regard to the characteristics of containers exposed to fire;

(4) the implementation of an experimental programme to characterise the thermal characteristics and the development of the corresponding thermal simulation model validated by these tests;

(5) the implementation of an experimental programme to characterise the mechanical characteristics of bursting and the development of the corresponding mechanical simulation model;

(6) the application of the numerical thermal and mechanical models to the actual design of the 48Y container and to the actual fire conditions specified by IAEA.

All these actions were taken over approximately fifteen years. It could not be confirmed whether the 484 containers would withstand the IAEA fire, and thus complementary thermal protection to prevent explosion in the case of severe fire is considered necessary. Protection should be developed before the entry into force of the new IAEA requirements.