Transport cycle for hotlabs: R72 and TNB170 packagings

Research labs worldwide investigate radioactive materials that come from and go to nuclear power plants or research reactors. This can be nuclear fuel, irradiated material samples, instrumentation… all materials with different composition, dimension, weight, residual heat, fissile material. The transport of these radioactive materials often requires the use of a Type B transport packaging according to the IAEA SSR-6 [1] recommendations. To be able to fulfill this specific transport service, Transnubel has, amongst others, two different types of packaging at its disposal: R72 and TNB170.Since 2009, the packaging R72 has been in operation for the transport of irradiated fuel rods. This packaging was developed with the experience gained during the transports of the BG18 and R62 packagings. The R72 packaging is a type B(M)F packaging, designed for the transport of fresh or irradiated fuel rods UO2 or MOX, as well as non-fissile irradiated material. Studies are ongoing to be able to transport leaking fuel. The difficulty for obtaining an approval for this will be explained.The loading and unloading operation can be vertical or horizontal either in a dry manner against a hot cell or submersed in a spent fuel pool. Specific tools and baskets were designed and fabricated for executing the loading/unloading and transport operations in a safe way. The limiting constraints of the different loading and unloading areas have been a major challenge.To transport small materials up to 20 cm’s in length, the packaging TNB170 is available. It is a type B(U) packaging designed and to be approved in Belgium in 2016 for the transport of radioactive material, in various physical and chemical forms, allowing shipment by all different modes. The packaging can be loaded/unloaded in a dry manner docked against a hot cell or in vertical position.The packaging can safely transport solid or powder materials: metallic uranium, UOX, MOX, different kind of sources (isotope and neutron sources). Specific tools have been developed such as absorbing material, tilting chair, pallet for transport and handling, internal fittings and baskets.