3578: new package to transport category I material

Abstract

The decommissioning and clean-up of the UK’s nuclear legacy generates unique transport and package requirements that need to be managed appropriately to minimise their impact. The movement of category I material (transport of plutonium, 20% or above enriched uranium and/or U₂₃₃ above the regulatory limit) is being considered within the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate to consolidate the storage locations and to minimise security costs. To facilitate this, the International Nuclear Services is considering the feasibility and business case for the development of a new package that could increase transport efficiency, enhance safety and represent best value for the UK taxpayer. The 3578 transport package concept has been developed to meet the requirements and constraints of multiple users, in respect of geometry, operator dose uptake, handling procedures and interfaces. It offers a double containment system and incorporates high safety margins. The design has been optimised to take account of as many product types as possible. This approach means that the package can be considered for both on site and off site movement. Owing to its flexible handling arrangements and transport capability, and its simple loading/unloading procedure, the 3578 can be readily used in most nuclear facilities worldwide. The 3578 concept benefits from >20 years’ experience of design, manufacturing and operation of radioactive material containers in the UK and around the world.

Keywords:

• Packing design
• Transport packaging
• Flexible handling
• Category I materials

This paper is based on a presentation to the 9th International Conference on Radioactive Materials Transport and Storage, RAMTRANSPORT 2012, held on 22–24 May 2012 in London, UK.