UNITED STATES EXPERIENCE IN THE TRANSPORTATION OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS

The transport of radioactive material forms a vital link in the nuclear fuel cycle in the United States. Actual U.S. experience and practice with such systems for the packaging and transport of uranium ore concentrates, uranium hexafluoride, fresh fuel, irradiated fuel, non-high-level waste, and plutonium with low heat generation rates are described. Specific shipping systems in current use for these services are illustrated. A comparison will be made of shipping requirements for nuclear parks versus dispersed facilities. Shipping systems for other fuel cycle materials (e.g., high-level waste and cladding hulls) have not been developed because there has been no need to transport these materials commercially. However, conceptual designs for packaging and transport of such materials have been developed. Selected systems are reviewed and summarized. Transport safety in the U.S. is regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Key regulations defining packaging requirements, allowable radiation dose rates, and handling procedures are reviewed. Although the radioactive material shipping industry has an outstanding safety record, opposition to nuclear fuel cycle shipments has surfaced in several areas. The U.S. congressional ban on the shipment of plutonium by air, the actions of New York City to prohibit certain shipments within the city limits, and the requirement of U.S. railroads to ship spent fuel casks only in dedicated trains are reviewed. (Atomindex citation 08:303984)

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Available in microfiche only. International conference on nuclear power and its fuel cycles, Salzburg, Austria, 2 May 1977, 3.3-.T.1./08. U.S. Sales Only.
• Corporate Authors:

  International Atomic Energy Agency

  Vienna International Centre, P.O. Box 100
  Vienna A-1400,   Austria 
• Authors:
  • Platt, A M
  • Rhoads, R E
  • HALL, R J
  • Williams, L D
  • Brobst, W A
• Publication Date: 1977

Media Info

• Pagination: 10 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Containers; Environmental protection; Freight handling; Hazardous materials; Nuclear fuels; Packaging; Plutonium; Prevention; Radioactive materials; Radioactive materials; Safety; Shipping; Spent reactor fuels; Uranium; Waste products (Materials)
• Old TRIS Terms: Special handling
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Energy; Environment; Freight Transportation; Highways; Marine Transportation; Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00168635
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CONF-770505-346
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Dec 27 1978 12:00AM