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U.S. Department of Energy
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Developments of the Versa-Pac to Expand Use for the Industry - 17475

Conference ·
OSTI ID:22802457
The Versa-Pac is a certified Type AF packaging (USA NRC Certificate no. USA/9342/AF-96), designed as a replacement for USA DOT 6M drum-type transportation packaging, which was retired approximately ten years ago. The Versa-Pac can be used directly or in conjunction with pails, drums, or inserts, and a variety of smaller containers and vessels. The Versa-Pac comes in two sizes: the VP-55 (i.e. 200-liter drum version) and VP-110 (i.e. 400-liter drum version). It features a patented design that, in combination with the drum exterior, provides enhanced structural protection to payloads under Normal Conditions of Transport and Hypothetical Accident Conditions. Since its introduction in 2010, the Versa-Pac has been utilized mainly as a one-time-use package for disposing of radioactive waste. However, the Versa-Pac package, which has the familiar simplicity of a drum, is a reusable transport package with the capability of shipping a variety of radioactive materials. In the spirit of simplicity yet versatility, the capability of the package has been improved several times in collaboration with our customers. The latest design improvements include a new configuration designated the VP-55HC (high capacity), which utilizes an internal safe geometry pipe container that increases the U-235 capacity. The pipe container is similar in design to the historic USA DOT 2R vessel. Other planned and proposed improvements include provisions to transport UF{sub 6} in 1S, 2S, and 5A/5B cylinders; design changes that further increase the amount of U-235 at enrichments less than 20 wt.%; increasing the capacity of the VP-110 with a VP-110-specific analysis; developing a new, lighter 113-liter version of the package; and introducing content limits specific to uranium oxides in multiple forms. This paper traces the engineering and design efforts involved in expanding the Versa-Pac's versatility. (authors)
Research Organization:
WM Symposia, Inc., PO Box 27646, 85285-7646 Tempe, AZ (United States)
OSTI ID:
22802457
Report Number(s):
INIS-US--19-WM-17475
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English