CASKS DEVELOPMENT FOR MOX TRANSPORTATION FROM FRANCE TO JAPAN

Needing to transport fresh MOX fuel assemblies from France to Japan, TEPCO and TN International worked together to develop new casks: A light cask of the MX 6 type (about 20 tons) used for inland transport from the MOX manufacturing plant (AREVA MELOX) to the harbour. A heavy cask of the TN12/2 type used for maritime transport to Japan. The light cask type MX 6 will be also used for maritime transport to Japan Nuclear Power Plant with lower capacity of heavy-duty handling. New baskets with optimal load capacity have been developed for this use: 10 MOX BWR fuel type 8X8 equipped with fuel holder for the light cask 21 MOX BWR fuel type 8X8 equipped with fuel holder for the heavy cask. These new baskets are taking into account a simplified tightening system for fuel assemblies during transport. I