scholarly journals Repackaging of Two Bulged Crimp Sealed Cans Containing Plutonium Bearing Materials

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Watkins ◽  
R. D. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Bearing Material ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Air System ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
Shipping Containers ◽  
River Site ◽  
Different Origin

Two cans containing plutonium bearing materials were found during radiography surveillance activities to be bulged. The cans had been stored in DOT 6M shipping containers at the Savannah River Site. The material in the first can (Item CZA96-179) was packaged can/bag/can configuration with the inner and outer cans being crimp sealed. The crimp sealed innermost can was clearly deformed from the radiography picture taken for surveillance purposes. This material had been stored in the shipping container since the mid 1970’s. The second can (Item 50014440) contained plutonium bearing material of a different origin. The material had been repackaged at the Savannah River Site in the mid 1990’s, and the repackaged can was stored in a 6M shipping drum. A special puncturing tool, which secured the can and allowed for a very controlled puncture of both outer and inner cans was used in a glovebox. The glovebox has a dry air system and an argon supply. The puncturing tool utilized a non-sparking punch and an argon purge. The cans were repackaged into filtered outer cans. A description of the puncturing tool, repackaging activities, and of the materials will be provided.

A Pre-Shipment Gas Generation Test Using a Bell Jar

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Rodrigues ◽  
S. J. Hensel
Keyword(s):  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Statistical Sampling ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Shipping Container ◽  
Containment Vessel ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
Similar Materials ◽  
River Site ◽  
Generation Test

The primary purpose of a bell jar is to collect and measure out gassing from a container (e.g., food can) of plutonium bearing materials to evaluate potential pressurization within a shipping package containment vessel. The bell jar allows for testing of the actual cans to be shipped without repackaging or taking samples of the materials. Pressurization of the bell jar can be readily extrapolated to the conditions inside the shipping container containment vessel during a shipment. Bell jar testing is being used in conjunction with current plutonium surveillance techniques (lid deflection measuring) to demonstrate that the cans bearing plutonium material may be shipped safely across the Savannah River Site for processing. Statistical sampling of similar materials leverages the testing such that only population subsets need be tested. The pressurization (or depressurization) measured in the bell jar to date has been very small and of no concern from a shipping perspective.

scholarly journals Interim Safe Storage of Radioactive Materials at the Savannah River Site

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucas L. Kyriazidis ◽  
Steve J. Hensel ◽  
Jeff M. Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Safe Storage ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
High Level ◽  
Interim Storage ◽  
River Site

Storage of plutonium bearing materials at the US Department of Energy Savannah River Site (SRS) typically are packaged in DOE-STD-3013 welded containers which are stored in 9975 shipping packages. However, some materials are packaged in non-welded metal containers which consist of a can-bag-can configuration. These non-welded containers and the 9975 package provide safe containment of the plutonium bearing materials. Additionally, the materials must be stabilized such that adverse reactions do not occur during storage. Lastly, a surveillance program of these containers provides field and laboratory data with respect to package aging and potential degradation. The packaging, material stabilization, and surveillance requirements are identified in an Interim Safe Storage Criteria (ISSC) Program at SRS. This paper provides a high level overview of the ISSC program. Interim storage is defined as the storage prior to long term plutonium disposition.

Gas Analysis of Plutonium Materials Tested in a Bell Jar

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steve J. Hensel ◽  
Jonathan R. Kies
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Nitrous Oxide ◽  
Oxygen Depletion ◽  
Savannah River Site ◽  
Gas Analysis ◽  
Savannah River ◽  
Gas Generation ◽  
Bearing Materials ◽  
River Site ◽  
Methane Carbon

Seventy cans containing plutonium bearing materials have been tested for gas generation in bell jars at the Savannah River Site (SRS). Gas samples from five of the tests were taken and analyzed for hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, methane, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrous oxide. Gas samples from all five cans showed significant oxygen consumption. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide were found in non-negligible quantities in all gas samples. Hydrogen and carbon dioxide generation rates are presented along with oxygen depletion rates. A description of the plutonium bearing materials is also provided.

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