DEVELOPMENT OF PACKAGING FOR ENRICHED URANIUM HEXAFLUORIDE

Revised IAEA Regulations of the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials (IAEA, 1996) adds some new requirements for the transport of uranium hexafluoride (UF6)· Especially for the criticality safety of UF6. new requirements prescribed in para. 667(b) are added as follows; For packagings containing uranium hexafluoride only: (i) packagings where, following the tests prescribed in para. 682 (b), there is no physical contact between the valve and any other component of the packaging other than at its original point of attachment and where, in addition, following the test prescribed in para. 728 the valves remain leaktight; and (ii) a high degree of quality control in the manufacture, maintenance and repair of packagings coupled with tests to demonstrate closure of each package before each shipment. A new package of Type F for enriched UF6 has been developed to satisfy both the previously mentioned new requirements and the present transport system. This new packaging also satisfies the Type B requirements.