Oversized ISO Freight Container designed to be used as an IP-2 Transport Package

Sellafield Ltd currently requires a new oversized ISO freight container that can fully contain other standard sized ISO freight containers and stillages for transport as an IP-2 Transport Package. There is an existing historic ISO freight container which is coming to the end of its operational life and the new higher performing oversize ISO freight container is needed to meet continued future transports. This will enable various waste items to be loaded in standard ISO freight containers and stillages that do not comply themselves with IP-2 Transport Package requirements to be transported off-site to an appropriate disposal facility. The availability of the new oversized ISO freight container will provide Sellafield Ltd with a valuable transport alternative. The ISO freight container is to be licensed as a Type IP-2 in accordance with the IAEA SSR-6 Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material. This paper provides an overview of the design for manufacture and the compliance requirements to meet relevant ISO standards and the additional requirements imposed for Type IP-2 Transport Packages. In summary the oversized ISO freight container will be side opening, with an internal stainless steel liner. The side opening door will operate with use of hydraulic rams powered from an on-board power pack and by the use of limit switches for control. The door will have an elastomeric seal with an interspace that can be pressurized for testing. The door is fixed to the container for transport through fixings that are manually engaged. The internal stainless steel liner will be welded to the container body and door, and fully sealed to allow the cavities between the liner and the container body/door to be pressurised. The cavity tests in combination with the elastomeric door seal interspace test will prove the packages containment. This ability to test the containments is necessary for the IP-2 Transport Package requirements. The ISO freight container will be fixed to a standard trailer with standard 1C ISO fixings. However, the design is larger than a 1C floor plan and so the bottom corner fixings will not be in the corners of the container.