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Title: Thermal properties evaluation of insulation in overpack containers for UF/sub 6/ transport

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6368656

Two types of insulation are currently in use in overpacks utilized to protect UF/sub 6/ during transport. Phenolic foam has been used in the family of UF/sub 6/ overpacks under US Department of Transportation Specifications. Recently new generation overpacks have been developed which utilize polyurethane foam. A comparative analysis was made of the thermal characteristics of the phenolic foam with that of polyurethane in two different densities. Thermal properties of materials vary with temperature with the relationship being a complex interaction of basic materials properties, processing variables, and environmental conditions. The need to incorporate temperature dependent thermal properties into analytical finite element codes led to an experimental program to measure thermal properties, principally thermal conductivity, for the 21PF-1 overpack phenolic foam. The thermal conductivity-temperature relationship for this insulator has been measured from room temperature to over 1000F. An alternate UF/sub 6/ product cylinder overpack container has recently entered service; an overpack design incorporating polyurethane as the primary thermal resistance in place of the phenolic foam in a 2 1/2 ton cylinder overpack. Elevated temperature thermal properties measurements for the polyurethane material system are presented.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Gaseous Diffusion Plant, TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OT21400
OSTI ID:
6368656
Report Number(s):
K/QT-301; CONF-890631-39; ON: DE89013522
Resource Relation:
Conference: International symposium on packaging and transporting of radioactive materials, Washington, DC, USA, 11 Jun 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English