Trunnions for Spent Fuel Element Shipping Casks

Trunnions are used on spent fuel element shipping casks for one or more of a combination of lifting, tilting or securing to a transport vehicle (see figures la and lb). Within the nuclear transportation industry there are many different philosophies on trunnions, concerning the shape, manufacture, attachment, inspection, maintenance and repair. With the volume of international transport of spent fuel now taking place, it is recognised that problems are occurring with casks in international traffic due to the variance of the philosophies, national standards, and the lack of an international standard. There are no national or international standards that cover all aspects of trunnions. Various countries have standards/guides which cover some aspects of trunnions with other countries applying standards for equipment-used for similar purposes.