Industry experience with thermal protectors on 48 in UF6cylinders

Abstract

AbstractThe International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Transport Safety Regulations (TS-R-1) require packages filled with non-fissile and fissile excepted uranium hexafluoride (further indicated as natural and depleted UF6) to pass the accident simulating thermal test. The thermal behaviour of cylinders filled with UF6 has been studied extensively and also an IAEA Co-ordinated Research Programme was allocated to this subject. The studies show that the standard 48 in UF6 cylinders have a large thermal mass and some conclude that they would meet the thermal test requirement. A continued unilateral approval, however, was not supported by all parties involved. In order to be able to continue international operations under H(U), i.e. unilateral – approval, an industry consortium developed thermal protection units (BTP's and CTP's) to be added to the standard cylinders. Actual use of the newly developed thermal protectors started in January 2005. The present paper reviews the UF6 specific regulatory developments...