USEC Performs Successful Analytical Testing Of Paducah Tiger Overpack

The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) recently performed a finite element analysis (FEA) of the \"Paducah Tiger\"--the protective overpack used to ship ten-ton, 48-inch cylinders containing enriched uranium hexafluoride (UF6). The results of the FEA supplemented the original test data and were incorporated into a revised Safety Analysis Report (SAR) for a renewal application for the overpacks certificate. During the process, USEC determined that the package would be enhanced by the addition of an aluminum stiffening plate placed inside the overpack in front of the cylinder valve. By adding the plate for extra valve protection, USEC successfully updated the 28 year old package design. The \"Paducah Tiger\" was designed, tested and certified in the early 1970's. The overpack has come under increasing security in recent years as USEC has discovered discrepancies in the overpacks documentation. To address these variances and demonstrated the overpacks ability to meet regulations, USEC commissioned an FEA to identify the \"worst case\" orientation of the drop/puncture tests of the hypothetical accident test conditions and to analyze the effects of the cumulative damage of those conditions.