Design of a New MOX Powder Transport Packaging to Support FBR Cycle Development Mission

The Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute (JNC), which plays a leading role in research and development for the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) cycle in Japan, has a plan to procure Mixed Oxide (MOX) powder from the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP), which the Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL) is constructing at Rokkasho-mura, Kamikita-gun of Aomori prefecture for completion in July 2006. The MOX will be for fuel fabrication for the experimental “JOYO” and the prototype “MONJU” FBRs. The mixed oxide storage canister used in RRP is larger than that being used in the Tokai Reprocessing Plant and the Plutonium Fuel Production Facility (PFPF) in Tokai Works of JNC, and it contains approx. 36 kg of MOX powder. Because the existing packagings can not accommodate the RRP type of canister, the design of a new type packaging that can accommodate this canister was implemented. The structure of the packaging was arranged and the safety analysis of the package was carried out.