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U.S. Department of Energy
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Minimum-weight highway transporters for nuclear spent-fuel casks

Conference · · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA)
OSTI ID:5659380

This study is one of four that represent a total systems approach to developing highway transporter and cask specifications for the transportation of nuclear spent fuel within the US Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management Program. In addition to this study, which identifies a range of transporter characteristics and weight options, studies will be conducted to develop cask capacity versus gross weight options, estimates of operational factors, and life cycle costs and exposure estimates. The results of these four studies will be synthesized to support a decision on the final selection of cask-transporter systems specifications. The decision will be based on DOE policy and program objectives and made in the context of current regulations. This study identifies options for commercially available heavy-duty on-highway tractors and trailers for transporting proposed future loaded nuclear spent-fuel casks. Loaded cask weights of 56,000- and 80,000-lb were selected as reference design points to facilitate the collection, examination, and presentation of study information. Emphasis was placed on identifying minimum-weight tractors and trailers capable of safely and reliably transporting a 56,000-lb cask without exceeding a gross combination weight (GCW) of 80,000 lb, and an 80,000-lb cask without exceeding a GCW of 110,000 lb. No specific safety or reliability studies were conducted.

OSTI ID:
5659380
Report Number(s):
CONF-881011--
Journal Information:
Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Vol. 57; ISSN TANSA; ISSN 0003-018X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English