Design and Qualification Testing of the TN GEMINI

Alpha wastes are generated in fuel cycle facilities such as those involved in reprocessing and manufacture of mixed oxide fuel or in laboratories. For their transport, a large quantity of these wastes cannot be considered as low specific activity (LSA) material, or are combustible: a type B(U) packaging is therefore required if a significant amount of material has to be transported. The TN GEMINI container has been developed for this application, in particular for the transport of alpha wastes in drums. Its main feature is a rectangular shape, with a rear door allowing horizontal loading. It is similar to an ISO 20 ft sea container in terms of weight, size, handling devices and tie-down capability. The packaging offers a free volume of 4510 x 2000 x 1840 mm and a maximum payload of 5.800 kg which enables the transport of forty 200 liter drums or sixty 118 liter drums filled with alpha waste, with a maximum fissile content reaching 400 g Pu. A wide range of other contents including glove boxes or large mechanical assemblies can also be transported using specific internal arrangements.