Packaging Certification and Life-cycle Management

Schematic cutaway view of model 9975 transportation packaging showing 3013 outer container and RFID tag

Cradle-to-grave Management. The objective of life-cycle management of radioactive materials packaging is to ensure the safety functions (i.e., containment of radioactivity, protection against radiation, and criticality safety for fissile material contents) during the entire life cycle of the packaging — including storage, transportation, and disposal.

A framework has been developed for life-cycle management of type B radioactive and fissile materials packaging, drawing upon current U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) storage standards and examples from interim storage of Pu-bearing materials in model 9975 transportation packaging. Key issues highlighted during long-term storage of Pu-bearing materials included gas generation and stability of PuO_2+x. Other operational safety issues highlighted for interim storage of model 9975 transportation packaging included the need to consider a facility design-basis fire event and the long-term behavior of packaging components such as Celotex and elastomeric O-ring seals. The principles of aging management are described, and the key attributes and examples of effective aging management programs are provided on the basis of guidance documents for license renewal of nuclear power plants.

The Packaging Certification Program of DOE’s Environmental Management (EM) Office of Safety Management and Operations, supported by Argonne and other national laboratories, plans to expand its mission into packaging certification for storage and aging management, as well as application of advanced technology, such as radiofrequency identification (RFID), for life-cycle management of radioactive materials packaging into the 21^st century.

For more information, contact:
Yung Liu
Packaging Certification and Life-cycle Management
Decision and Information Sciences Division
Argonne National Laboratory
9700 South Cass Ave., Bldg. 900
Argonne, IL 60439
Phone: 630-252-5127
Fax: 630-252-5715
E-mail Yung Liu