ITALIAN-FRENCH EXPERIENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT, LICENSING AND MANUFACTURING OF A NEW CASK FOR THE TRANSPORTATION OF USED FUEL FROM PIEMONTE NUCLEAR SITES

In 2007, TN International was charged by SOGIN to transport the used fuel stored on Piemonte nuclear sites to La Hague for recycling. To perform those evacuations, the development and licensing of a new high capacity transport cask, the TN®117, was necessary. The shipments should start at the end of 2010, which means a very tight time schedule to design a new cask, to apply for a B(U)F certificate of approval complying with IAEA regulations (2005 Edition), and to manufacture two casks, associated operating tools and transport means. The design of the cask started in April 2007 and more than two years has been necessary for the granting of the cask approval and its validation in Italy. The two casks, the handling and transport means and the operating tools have been manufactured in parallel from the end of 2007 to September 2010. Thus, design changes and optimizations have to be implemented in the procurement process during the licensing phase. Thanks to this optimized time schedule the shipments will be able to start by the end of 2010.