UX-30 User Group: An Industry Players Global Approach to Safely and Efficiently Managing Transport Package Use

The UX-30 is the most widely used protective shipping package (PSP) for transportation of enriched UF6 in 30B cylinders. Worldwide about 2,000 PSPs are in use today. The UX-30/30B is approved for transport through and within eleven countries by validation of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) certification.The formation of the UX-30 Users Group is the result of discussions among key UX-30 stakeholders, with a common vision to ensure the safe operation and long term viability of the package, and to in-state an open communication platform allowing strong collaboration among the Group and serving the Industry best interests.The UX-30 Users Group purpose is to:- Maintain worldwide licensing approvals;- Strengthen operations;- Improve maintenance and acceptance testing; and- Sustain the useful life of the package.Besides CHT, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) certificate of compliance holder, and AREVA TN, the UX-30 User Group is composed of members and users. Members are UX-30 registered users in the US, who are authorized to act on behalf of CHT as the applicant for foreign validations. The members are URENCO, WESTINGHOUSE, CENTRUS and AREVA. Users are continuously informed of any new relevant information and encouraged to share operating and maintenance experience with members. After nearly 3 years of common collaboration, the Group managed to enhance and harmonize the package operation, coordinate certificates and licenses extensions worldwide, and establish formal and structured communication principles between the numerous stakeholders. As a best practice, the UX-30 User Group will remain alive in anticipation of future global licensing activities; and to continue offering a means for subject matter experts to collaborate with Users, maintain an awareness of operation and maintenance experience, and promote uniform requirements for transport of enriched UF6.This paper will describe the goals and achievements of the User Group and provide an update on the UX-30 worldwide licensing approvals, as well as the benefits of an industry leader collaboration to share best practices and enhance safe and reliable usage of transportation packaging.