Design and build of IP-2 transport packaging for AGR gas circulator

Abstract

In early 1993, Nuclear Electric (now EDF Energy Nuclear Generation) required a large ISO freight based container to transfer advanced gas cooled reactor gas circulators between sites to maximise generation and enable spare circulators to be serviced and exchanged between stations. The Gas Circulator Transportation Module was manufactured and tested in 1994. It was certified as an IP-2 Package in July 1994 by Nuclear Electric, the certificate remaining valid until Safety Series 6 1985 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Transport Regulations were superseded. Onet Technologies UK Ltd was contracted in 2008 to investigate if this top loading Gas Circulator Transportation Module, Design No. (DN) 2042, could still be approved as an IP-2 Package in accordance with the IAEA Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material to transport gas circulators between Hartlepool and Heysham 1 Power Stations. This investigation revealed that although the module was originally approved on the basis that it complies with ISO1496 requirements (since it is approved by Lloyds under their container certification scheme and it is leak tight), it was no longer acceptable for IP-2 approval due to UK policy changes in 2005 by the UK Competent Authority. This paper describes the specification, design and approval process and technical issues for the provision of a new 32 Te Gas Circulator Transport Package to the latest standards. It encompasses why a GC package is needed, the constraints imposed by handling and loading at the EDFE-NG AGR sites, the radiological aspects and classification as an IP-2 package, a brief description of a gas circulator, the initial concept, how risks were mitigated by trials and the results changes required post-trials, the final concept and as built module and experiences during the first move.