THE RA02 SYSTEM – TYPE A/AF PACKAGE FOR TRANSPORT OF LARGE COMPONENTS FROM DECOMMISSIONING

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities such as power plants and enrichment facilities requires the transport and disposal of large contaminated components (e.g., valves, compressors, umps, piping, etc). These components have varying types/levels of contaminants including quantities that may require a Type A (or AF) package for transport and disposal. The size/geometry of some contaminated components prevents their packaging into current Type A containers without further processing. However, size reduction of these large objects is time consuming, expensive and presents further personnel safety/contamination issues. Robatel Technologies, LLC has developed a Type A/AF Package System (RA02 System) that allows the decommissioning contractor to transport large contaminated components with minimal to no processing. The RA02 System was originally developed and deployed in Europe by Robatel for the transport of plutonium-contaminated wastes such as glove boxes, tanks, testing devices, and tools; to date, two RA02 Systems have been utilized in France. However, its size makes it applicable to the disposition of other large components stemming from facility decommissioning. The current system design includes a stainless steel (or carbon steel) shipping container size of 20’ X 8’ X 10.6’ and with a maximum payload of 8,830 lbs. In addition, the RA02 System employs a rugged, ultra-highly reliable transfer system that allows the waste generator (and the disposal site) to load and unload the contaminated component with minimal personnel involvement; the transfer system is integrated with the RA02 Package on a specially-designed flat-bed trailer. The RA02 System has been Drop-Tested and maintained its full functionality; the system has integrated impact limiters and can be USDOT licensed as a Type A container. Its size and payload is adjustable to meet the requirements of any specific decommissioning project. The RA02 System provides the decommissioning industry with a solution for disposition of large components, and it saves process/transport/disposal costs while enhancing worker safety.