TN Hi-MW® : An Innovative Solution for Transportation and Storage of Long Activated Waste

Since 2013 AREVA TN has been working on a transport and storage solution, the TN Hi-MW®, to enlarge the scope of the La Hague treatment facility so that it may treat long-activated waste with a specific optimized supply chain for equipment to be replaced in the Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), thus extending their duration of life. For example, the control rod guide tube assemblies (CRGT) are to be replaced and transported from NPPs in the near future.CRGTs are located not far from the fuel in the nuclear reactor and are consequently contaminated, but mainly in the lower 30-cm section. Therefore, special containers are required for their transportation and storage operations: Areva TN’s TN Hi-MW® solution offers many advantages and is innovative compared to other containers used in the past. For example, load rupture can be avoided during the entire operation cycle from the Reactor Building to an off-site treatment or storage facility. Moreover, the TN Hi-MW® takes into account operational constraints and practices, dimensions and weights, making it simple, safe, and quick to operate.The TN Hi-MW® is a dual purpose Type B(U)-F container designed for activated waste storage and transportation in conformity with the Safety Authority Rules and Requirements. The TN Hi-MW®, composed of a thick carbon-steel forged body and closure system, is simple and robust, using proven fabrication processes and materials.This paper will present the characteristics of the new TN Hi-MW® solution and present how this innovative container meets the future needs for CRGT transportation and its storage in a new treatment center at the La Hague recycling plant.