Year
2006
Abstract
The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) is shipping bulk quantities of fissile materials for disposition purposes, primarily highly enriched uranium (HEU). The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) specification 6M container has been the workhorse for NNSA and many other shippers of radioactive material. However, the 6M does not conform to the packaging requirements in the Code of Federal Regulations (10 CFR 71) and, for that reason, is being phased out for use in the secure transportation system of the Department of Energy DOE) by the end of 2006. BWXT Y-12 developed and licensed the ES-3100 container to replace the DOT 6M. The ES-3100 was certified by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) on April 7, 2006 [USA/9315/B(U)F-96]. The process of deploying the new package began in June of 2005 and is to be completed in November 2006. The package will be fully operational and completely replace the DOT 6M at the BWXT Y-12 National Security Complex at that time. This paper will review the deployment process and the mock loading station that was installed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Specialized equipment, tools, and instrumentation that support the handling and loading operations of the ES-3100 will be described in detail. Loading options for other user sites will be explored in preparation for deployment of this new state-of-the-art shipping container throughout the doe complex and the private sector.