scholarly journals Definition of “Small Gram Quantity Contents” for Type B Radioactive Material Transportation Packages: Activity-Based Content Limitations

Author(s):  
Shiva Sitaraman ◽  
Soon Kim ◽  
Debdas Biswas ◽  
Ronald Hafner ◽  
Brian Anderson

This paper presents a compendium of allowable masses for a variety of gamma and neutron emitting isotopes (with varying impurity levels of beryllium in some of the actinide isotopes) that, when loaded in an unshielded radioactive material transportation packaging, do not result in an external dose rate on the surface of the package that exceeds 190 mrem/hr (190 mrem/hr was chosen to provide 5% conservatism relative to the regulatory limit). These mass limits define the term “Small Gram Quantity” (SGQ) contents in the context of radioactive material transportation packages. The term SGQ is isotope-specific and pertains to contents in radioactive material transportation packages that do not require shielding and still satisfy the external dose rate requirements. Since these calculated mass limits are for contents without shielding, they are conservative for packaging materials that provide some limited shielding or if the contents are placed into a shielded package. Two sets of mass limit results are presented: (1) mass limits calculated with a “voided sphere” model, and (2) mass limits calculated with the unshielded radioactive material transportation packaging Model 9977-96.

Author(s):  
S. J. Hensel ◽  
T. T. Wu ◽  
B. R. Seward

This paper evaluates sealed hardware that meets the requirements of DOE-STD-3013, “Criteria for Preparing and packaging Plutonium Metals and Oxides for Long-Term Storage” [1] with respect to radioactive material (Type B quantity) transportation requirements. The Standard provides criteria for packaging of the plutonium materials for storage periods of at least 50 years. The standard requires the hardware to maintain integrity under both normal storage conditions and under anticipated handling conditions. To accomplish this, the standard requires that the plutonium be loaded in a minimum of two nested stainless steel sealed containers that are both tested for leak-tightness per ANSI N14.5. As such the 3013 hardware is robust. While the 3013 STD may provide appropriate storage criteria, it is not intended to provide criteria for transporting the material under the requirements of the Department of Transportation (DOT). In this evaluation, it is assumed that the activity of plutonium exceeds A1 and/or A2 curies as defined in DOT 49 CFR 173.431 and therefore must be shipped as a Type B package meeting the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) requirements of 10 CFR 71. The evaluation considers Type B shipment of plutonium in the 3013 hardware within a certified package for such contents.


Author(s):  
Zenghu Han ◽  
Vikram N. Shah ◽  
Yung Y. Liu

According to ANSI N14.5, the periodic leakage rate testing of Type B radioactive material transportation packages is performed within 12 months prior to each shipment. The purpose of performing periodic leakage rate testing is to confirm that packages built to an approved design can perform their containment function as required after a period of use. However, certain transportation packages, e.g., Model 9975 and 9977 Type B packages, have been used for interim storage for a period > 12 months, and it is desirable to extend the periodic leakage rate testing interval to reduce personnel radiation exposure and cost. Long-term leak performance tests on O-ring test fixtures have been conducted at 200°F (366K) and higher temperatures since 2004 for the purpose of interim storage of 9975 packages. The test data are adopted and evaluated in this paper by using the Arrhenius function and the Weibull statistics to establish the basis for extending the periodic leakage rate testing interval. The results show that the testing interval can be extended to 5 and 2 years for Model 9977 packages with Viton® GLT and GLT-S elastomeric O-rings (Parker Seals V0835-75 and VM835-75), respectively, if the O-ring service temperature is kept below 200°F (366K) and verified with continuous temperature monitoring.


Author(s):  
Christopher S. Bajwa ◽  
Earl P. Easton ◽  
Nancy L. Osgood ◽  
Ronald B. Pope

The US regulations for certification of Type B packages are based in large part on those of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); however, the US has chosen to differ (or deviate) in some respects, from the IAEA regulations based on its national legislation, its technical experience, and efforts to minimize burden on shippers of radioactive materials in the US. This paper will provide a brief overview of some of the differences between 10 CFR Part 71 “Packaging and Transportation of Radioactive Material”, as implemented January 2008, and IAEA TS-R-1 “Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material”, 2005 edition, discuss some of the differences between the two sets of regulations, and the reasons for those differences.


Author(s):  
Yung Liu ◽  
Steve Bellamy ◽  
James Shuler

Based on the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations in 49 CFR 173.7(d), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Order 460.1B codifies the authority of certification of Type-B and fissile material transportation packaging to the Office of Environmental Management (EM), except for materials of interest to national security, naval propulsion systems, and civilian radioactive waste management. DOE Order 460.1B also stipulates that the EM certification of Type B and fissile materials transportation packaging shall be in accordance with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety standards in 10 CFR Part 71. The Office of Licensing (EM-24) is supported by technical review teams at Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and Savannah River National Laboratory. SAFESHIELD 2999A is a Type-B radioactive material transportation packaging designed for use by the DOE’s Isotope Program. The contents of the packaging consist of source capsules of Co-60, Cs-137, or Ir-192; solid and liquid-metal accelerator targets; ion exchange resins; and target processing wastes. No fissile materials are included. Protection against radiation and confinement of radioactivity are, therefore, the two major requirements for the safety performance of the SAFESHIELD 2999A packaging under both normal conditions of transport and hypothetical accidents. The Safety Analysis Report for Packaging (SARP) of SAFESHIELD 2999A underwent four revisions by the applicant during the entire certification review. This paper will highlight some of the technical issues in areas such as contents, shielding, and quality assurance, and will discuss how these issues interact and affect other areas such as structural, thermal, containment, operating procedures, and acceptance tests and maintenance. Also discussed in the paper is the use of an independent third party to facilitate resolution of the technical issues and move the process forward for certification of SAFESHIELD 2999A.


Author(s):  
Andrew Celovsky ◽  
Randy Lesco ◽  
Brian Gale ◽  
Jeffrey Sypes

Ten years ago Atomic Energy of Canada developed a Type B(U)-85 shipping container for the global transport of highly radioactive materials. This paper reviews the development of the container, including a summary of the design requirements, a review of the selected materials and key design elements, and the results of the major qualification tests (drop testing, fire test, leak tightness testing, and shielding integrity tests). As a result of the testing, improvements to the structural, thermal and containment design were made. Such improvements, and reasons thereof, are noted. Also provided is a summary of the additional analysis work required to upgrade the package from a Type B(U) to a Type B(F), i.e. essentially upgrading the container to include fissile radioisotopes to the authorized radioactive contents list. Having a certified shipping container is only one aspect governing the global shipments of radioactive material. By necessity the shipment of radioactive material is a highly regulated environment. This paper also explores the experiences with other key aspects of radioactive shipments, including the service procedures used to maintain the container certification, the associated compliance program for radioactive material shipments, and the shipping logistics involved in the transport.


2011 ◽  
Vol 147 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 264-266 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ahmadi Jeshvaghane ◽  
R. Paydar ◽  
B. Fasaei ◽  
A. Pakneyat ◽  
A. Karamloo ◽  
...  

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