| Abstract: | AbstractCroft Associates Ltd (Croft) was contracted by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), Winfrith in 2006 to design, manufacture, test and license an intermediate level waste industrial package transport packaging (UKAEA 2 m Box Design no. 3954) for decommissioning waste from the Dragon and steam generating heavy water reactors at Winfrith. The package had to meet the requirements of the existing UK. Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) (Nirex) 2 m Box specification. The UKAEA 2 m Box is intended for on-site storage at Winfrith and possibly another site for 50 years and subsequent transport to the NDA repository without further processing. The design of the box closure includes a leak testable sealing system which is capable of being replaced at a later date (e.g. before shipment), by the removal of the lid and replacement of seals remote from the box location. Initially the specification for the UKAEA 2 m Box called for rating for gross weight of 40 t, but this was raised to 50 t as it was realised that the efficient use of the capacity of the box would result in a 50 t gross weight. Two prototype 2 m Boxes were produced; one being provided with 100 mm of concrete shielding, and the other being provided without any shielding. The shielded box was filled with simulated waste and a concrete grout cap fitted and the resulting 50 t package was dropped onto the massive target at Winfrith from a height of 300 mm (this being the regulatory test height). The test showed that the box performed as expected; meeting all requirements. In particular: there was no loss of shielding and no effect on the containment system that would reduce its effectiveness. |
