EXPERIENCE FROM TRANSPORT OF LARGE OBJECTS IN SWEDEN FROM AN AUTHORITY’S POINT OF VIEW

Large contaminated or activated objects from replacement of components in nuclear power plants or from decommissioning have sometimes to be transported unpackaged due to their dimensions or masses. The objects have surface contamination on inner parts and/or are activated. The objects can sometimes be classified as SCO-I or SCO-II, but it is not always possible to verify that classification, due to inaccessible parts or that activation of the material can not be excluded. Examples of such objects are steam generators, reactor tank lids and turbine parts. A few such objects have been shipped from the nuclear power plants to an industrial installation specialized in decontamination, cutting, melting and conditioning of the radioactive waste or directly to a final storage for low and intermediate level waste in Sweden. The Swedish nuclear power plants as well as the industrial site and the final storage for radioactive waste are all located close to the sea with harbours of their own. That usually makes sea transport with a dedicated ship the preferred mode of transport. The experience from the shipments is good with in most cases insignificant doses to the transport personnel and without any serious mishaps. The paper will give some examples of shipments of unpackaged large objects and describe the evaluation made by the Swedish competent authority before issuing approval for the shipments under special arrangement and the experience gained.