Feedback on the use of the MX6 Mox Fuel transport cask: reduction of the dose uptake during operations
- TN International, AREVA Group, 78 - Montigny le Bretonneux (France)
In the framework of the quality, safety and environment policy of AREVA, TN International has implemented a global management system according to ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 requirements with certification obtained from third part organization (1). The design of the MX6 cask is an example of the implementation of this system in order to guarantee safety and the health of everyone involved and the protection of the environment. The MX6 design has allowed ALARA dose rates for the workers during all the phases of use of the cask, to be significantly reduced compared to previous design. The MX6 cask was developed by TN International for the transport of either BWR or PWR fresh MOX fuel assemblies. Replacing the previous SIEMENS type III and SIEMENS BWR packaging, the MX6 has been firstly used in the German Nuclear Power Plants. Complying with the TS-R-1 (IAEA 1996) regulations, the MX6 cask is based on innovative solutions implemented at each step of the design and the manufacturing. Its design includes an efficient neutron shielding for high Plutonium content and an easy use content restraining system. The large payload of the MX6 cask, 6 PWR MOX fuel assemblies or 16 BWR MOX fuel assemblies, minimizes the doses uptake during its unloading at the NPP. Moreover, new sequences of loading and unloading operations were proposed for testing and implementation in each Nuclear Facility. Concurrently, total dose uptakes by the operators were assessed in order to prove the efficiency of the packaging and the proposed sequences. In this paper, the main contributors to the transports to Germany with the MX6 cask will present their involvement and feedback for the reduction of the dose uptakes by the operators during the loading and unloading operations. Presently in use at GUNDREMMINGEN and ISAR Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs), the MX6 cask use will be extended to other German and Swiss NPPs from 2006 onwards. (1) AFAQ-AFNOR Certification for ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001, and CEFRI (Comite francais de certification des Entreprises pour la formation et le suivi du personnel travaillant sous Rayonnements Ionisants) certification in the health physics field according to its E specification. (authors)
- Research Organization:
- WM Symposia, 1628 E. Southern Avenue, Suite 9 - 332, Tempe, AZ 85282 (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 21290830
- Report Number(s):
- INIS-US-09-WM-07226; TRN: US10V0155038241
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: WM'07: 2007 Waste Management Symposium - Global Accomplishments in Environmental and Radioactive Waste Management: Education and Opportunity for the Next Generation of Waste Management Professionals, Tucson, AZ (United States), 25 Feb - 1 Mar 2007; Other Information: Country of input: France; 4 refs
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
ALARA
BWR TYPE REACTORS
CASKS
DESIGN
DOSE RATES
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
IAEA
LOADING
MIXED OXIDE FUELS
PACKAGING
PLUTONIUM
PWR TYPE REACTORS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION PROTECTION
REGULATIONS
SAFETY
SHIELDING
TRANSPORT
UNLOADING