EXPERIENCES AND PERSPECTIVES OF PACKAGE TESTING UNDER HYPOTHETICAL ACCIDENT CONDITIONS

The presentation, introducing into the PATRAM 2007 technical sessions, concentrates in one part on the complex considerations for the correct application of the relevant package test methods: experimental testing of full-scale or small-scale packages; calculation, or reasoned argument, or reference to previous satisfactory demonstrations. The focus concentrates on drop testing issues of Type B packages for spent fuel and HLW. The BAM 9 m drop tests with large full-scale spent fuel casks CONSTOR V/TC (181 tons) and MHI-MSF 69 BG (127 tons) performed during technical tours of PATRAM 2004 will be briefly presented. Experiences from full-scale as well as from small-scale model testing, and considerations for the correct incorporation of test results in the safety analysis report, where variations of temperature, package properties and design changes, most damaging drop sequences and attitudes have to be covered, will be highlighted. It will be concluded that a complete safety case usually has to be assembled by a complex combination of nearly all test methods; even in the case of full-scale drop testing, the structural analysis may require pre- and post-test calculations, and additional coverage e.g. by material or component testing. Small-scale model testing needs more complicated measures for correct transfer of test results to the original design to be approved. Calculation needs verification based on experimental tests. From history of package testing in Germany numerous spectacular tests with Type B packages under non-regulatory test environments will be presented in a second part. The aims of these projects were the identification of package safety margins beyond regulatory standards, and the consideration of accident scenarios that are not covered by the IAEA transport regulations. The presentation will address the experiments and computations performed by BAM briefly.