Transportation: a heavily regulated activity

Regulatory framework

The reference regulation in terms of the transportation of radioactive materials is known as the "Regulations on the transportation of radioactive materials". (TS-R-1), as published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (over 130 Member States).

These regulations govern the transportation and design of packaging with the aim of guaranteeing:

• the non-proliferation of radioactive materials,

• the protection of humankind and the environment.

Different types of packaging are identified, depending on the characteristics of the material for transportation. Packaging must be strong enough to handle the radioactivity it contains, be it under normal transportation circumstances and when accidental situations occur.

To prove the containers are resistant, they are subject to a series of tests (drops, fire, immersion) during the design phase. Additional rules apply when packages are loaded with fissile material.

Prior to being entered into service, packaging must obtain accreditation from the relevant Safety Authorities.

Different types of packaging

Packaging means the container and its contents. The main types of packaging are:

B type packaging

• Material: strong radioactivity (irradiated fuels, heavily radioactive sources, plutonium, vitrified nuclear waste).
• Tests:
  • Impact resistance at 50 kilometers per hour (drop of 9 meters) on a hard surface
  • Head-on fall resistance from a height of 1 meter
  • Fire resistance at 800°C for 30 minutes
  • Immersion resistance up to 200 meters for the most radioactive packages
• Submission for accreditation from the Safety Authorities following an expert technical inspection by the IRSN.

A type packaging

• Material: average radioactivity (new nuclear fuels and sources for essentially therapeutic uses).
• Tests:
  • Water spray test to simulate heavy rain,
  • Fall resistance on a hard surface from a maximum height of 1.2 meters for packages designed for solid materials, and 9 meters for packages designed for liquid or gas materials.
  • Penetration test using a 6-kilogram bar released from a height of 1 meter.
• For A type packages which contain fissile materials:
  • Fire test, impact resistance at 50 kilometers per hour (drop of 9 meters) on a hard surface
  • Submission for accreditation from the Safety Authorities following an expert technical inspection by the IRSN.

Industrial packaging

• Material: average or low radioactivity (ore, concentrate or uranium compounds, low radioactivity waste, sent to a surface storage center).
• Tests:
  • Fall resistance from a maximum height of 1.2 meters, variable depending on the mass of the packaging being stack tested (piling packages)
• For industrial packaging containing fissile materials:
  • Impact resistance at 50 kilometers per hour on a hard surface, rigging, stowing, stacking
  • Head-on fall of 9 meters
  • Fire test
  • Submission for accreditation from the Safety Authorities following an expert technical inspection by the IRSN.

Exempted packaging

• Material: very low radioactivity (radio-pharmaceutical products and small sources for industry, radiology and research). 
• Tests: no special resistance conditions for routine situations.

By way of example, natural uranium is transported in metal drums, and spent fuel in steel containers over 20 centimeters thick.

In order to meet regulations, AREVA carries out regular checks and maintenance operations. The equipment and packaging verification procedures can go beyond statutory requirements.