RE: Transport cask testing for HL waste

["Weiner, Ruth" <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

Sandia has a full testing protocol for Type B casks (and Type A containers)
that is congruent with 10 CFR 71 Subpart E.  We also do other testing of
packages also.  Descriptions and videos are available through Sandia public
relations.  We also have a database of accidents involving radioactive
materials transportation that goes back to 1975.  If you want specific
information, let me know and I will direct you to the right person.

Ruth F. Weiner, Ph. D.
Sandia National Laboratories 
MS 0718, POB 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
505-844-4791; fax 505-844-0244
rfweine@sandia.gov

-----Original Message-----
From: Turpin, Baynard [mailto:baynard.turpin@rfets.gov]
Sent: Thursday, March 18, 1999 10:10 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: RE: Transport cask testing for HL waste


Tests were performed at Sandia National Lab on SNF transport casks.  A cask
was set on fire with gasoline and allowed to burn for an hour or so, and a
train engine going 70 MPH was crashed into the side of the cask on a flatbed
trailer.  Neither of these tests produce negative results.

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Robert Gunter [SMTP:rjgunter%icnpharm.com@inet.rfets.gov]
> Sent:	Thursday, March 18, 1999 9:52 AM
> To:	Multiple recipients of list
> Subject:	Transport cask testing for HL waste
> 
> Greetings,
> 
> I had the "pleasure" of meeting an anti-nuke activist at the "Great
> American
> Write-in" this past weekend.  They contended that other than computer
> modeling
> there has been NO operational testing of the current casks for transport
> of
> spent nuclear fuel.  This is one of  their major points about the safety
> of
> transporting SNF.  In addition, it was mentioned that the only testing of
> these
> casks "ever performed" were done in the 70's.  The video is trotted out at
> every
> meeting and shown (with someone doing a survey after the crash of the
> empty
> cask).
> 
> Now when I worked at ORNL, there was a transportation safety group which
> had
> photos of the usual cask into the wall at 50 mph.  Are there any public
> record
> studies that show the effectiveness of these casks and describe the
> testing
> performed?
> 
> It was said that the only studies that have been done are computer
> simulations.
> Please provide direction and I will pass it on.
> 
> Rob
> 
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------------
> 
> Robert J. Gunter         Tel: (714) 545-0100
> 
> Sr. Technical Specialist      Tel: (800) 548-5100 Ext. 2414
> 
> ICN Biomedicals, Inc.         Fax: (714) 668-3149
> 
> Dosimetry Division       Email: rjgunter@icnpharm.com
> 
> 3300 Hyland Avenue
> 
> Costa Mesa, CA  92626
> 
> 
> 
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