Year
2010
File Attachment
Abstract
In the mid nineties, TN International started to design casks for transport and storage of vitrified high level waste conditioned at AREVA La Hague recycling facility: TN®81 and TN®85 casks. The TN®81 cask is currently licensed in France and in Switzerland and the TN®85 cask is currently licensed in France and in Germany. The first TN®81 cask was loaded in June 2004. Up to now, 15 casks have been stored in Switzerland or Germany. In order to face up to their obligations to get back the waste issued from the treatment of their used fuel, the Swiss Utilities asked TN International to propose a solution for the transportation of their high level waste produced at the Sellafield site in the United Kingdom. TN International performed in conjunction with International Nuclear Services (INS) and Sellafield Limited (SL) some investigations and analysis in order to check the conformance of the TN®81 cask with the new requirements. In particular TN International performed the following studies: - Assessment of the compatibility of the content with the TN®81 specification, - Assessment of the compatibility of the TN®81 cask with the interfaces at Sellafield plant, - Identification of the main interfaces modifications and design of specific tools required to receive the TN®81 at the Sellafield site and at the associated port of Barrow, - Radiological assessment, - Assessment of the proposed route from Sellafield plant to Zwilag, the central Würenlingen interim storage facility in Switzerland and of the logistical organization of the transport. The purpose of this paper is for TN International and INS to present this experience, and furthermore to underline their know-how and ability to manage the shipment to European Customers of vitrified high level waste produced in the United Kingdom in a safe and efficient manner.