Packaging Model 9977 Containment Vessel Operation

Design of the Model 9977 Type B Radioactive Material Packaging began in 2005 and the Packaging was certified for use in 2007. The 9977 uses a Savannah River National Laboratory designed “Chalfant style” CV, which has been used on a family of Type B radioactive material packages for both on-site and off-site shipments. The design is leaktight, robust, easy to operate, and scalable. The design utilizes a conical plug with dual O-Rings which is held in contact by a threaded nut to a conical sealing surface on the vessel body. To facilitate the seal, the O-Rings are coated with high-vacuum grease. The mating surfaces of the plug, nut, and body are coated with a lubricant to ease assembly and to prevent galling. Some operating history of the Chalfant CVs will be covered and recent SRNL research into the function and improvements to the design will be discussed.