Transport of UF₆ Under TS-R-1

Abstract

The new IAEA regulations TS-R-1 (ST-1 Revised 1996) have been fully in force for all modes of transport since 1 January 2002. Specific requirements in TS-R-1 affect the transport of non-fissile and fissile excepted uranium hexafluoride (UF₆). Under the auspices of the World Nuclear Transport Institute (WNTI), an industry working group has made preparations for the introduction of TS-R-1. The existing containers used have been evaluated against the new requirements. The free drop test needed an improved valve protection and a new valve protection assembly (VPA) has been successfully designed and tested. An H(M) approval has been applied for at the US Department of Transport (US-DOT). This approval was issued in August 2001 and has been validated in other countries in North America and Europe. Russia has also validated the US-DOT approval. Current activities of the WNTI industry working group concentrate on compliance with the thermal test requirement in TS-R-1. This must lead to the availability of an H(U) approval as required after 31 December 2003. This paper describes the certification and validation for the H(M) approval and the work in progress with regard to achieving H(U) approval. The paper specifically focuses on packages for non-fissile and fissile excepted UF₆.