NUCLEAR TRANSPORT | HALEU Table 1: OPTIMUS® Packaging Physical Attributes Packaging Physical Attributes


Outer Diameter1 Outer Length1


, m (in) , m (in)


Cavity Diameter, m (in) Cavity Length, m (in)


Packaging Tare Weight, kg (lb.) Max. Contents Weight, kg (lb.) Max. Gross Weight, kg (lb.) Gamma Shield Thickness2


Notes: 1 Packaging Design OPTIMUS® -H


∅1.88 (∅74.2) 2.11 (83.2)


0.83 (∅32.5) 1.19 (47.0)


11,204 (24,700) 3,311 (7,300)


, cm (in) Outer dimensions exclude lifting and tiedown protrusions 2


14,515 (32,000) ≥ 20.3 (8.0)


OPTIMUS® -L


∅1.24 (∅49) 1.78 (70.0)


0.83 (∅32.5) 1.19 (47.0)


2,722 (6,000) 1,429 (3,150) 4,173 (9,200) ≥ 3.3 (1.3)


Total combined thickness of steel/iron through radial side of packaging


V Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) missions. The OPTIMUS®


-L is


also certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under 10 CFR 71 while the OPTIMUS®


-H is currently


being reviewed by NRC. Today, NAC is also in the final design and licensing stages of the newly developed OPTIMUS®


-XL to accommodate


dimensionally larger payloads with greater activities and dose rates. NAC is also in the theoretical design phase of another package for the OPTIMUS® OPTIMUS®


product line, the -S, for micro-reactor transportation and other


intermediate payloads. Both developing systems will be designed for legal weight truck transportation of radioactive materials and systems.


Benefits of handling a lighter package The small size and weight of the OPTIMUS®


-L packaging


simplifies handling operations within a facility. Combined with its relatively large cavity size, payload weight capacity, and the ability to transport several packages on a single LWT shipment means it is suitable as packaging for transportation of different forms of HALEU fuels. This includes HALEU feedstock in the form of UO2 TRISO compacts made from HALEU feedstock.


powder and


An independent evaluation of the OPTIMUS®


-L packaging


performed through a collaboration of Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and funded by the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Nuclear Technology Research and Development (NE-4) confirmed a single legal weight truck (LWT) shipment of OPTIMUS® packages will transport 250% of the UO2 HALEU contents


-L


than is possible with an alternative, more traditional Type B(U)F packaging. The attractiveness of the OPTIMUS®


of operation. To date, all of the developed and proposed OPTIMUS®


systems are designed for LWT on any standard


48’-53’ flatbed trailer, do not require over-height or over- width permitting, are easily handled by fork lift truck, and can safely and effortlessly be operated by a single technician. In the last three years, NAC has fabricated and deployed over 26 OPTIMUS systems in conjunction with over 20 basket and insert assemblies. NAC is fabricating four additional systems and two shield insert assemblies to be delivered by Q4 2022. In addition, the two new OPTIMUS®


package


designs and several engineered basket assemblies are currently in the pre-approval planning and design phase with an anticipated 2024 deployment window. In September 2022, the OPTIMUS®


-L successfully


executed its first domestic waste shipment to Waste Control Specialists (WCS) in Andrews, Texas, through Bionomics, Inc. (Bionomics), an Oak Ridge, Tennessee turn-key waste management company. John McCormick, Vice-President of Bionomics said, “In our work with the SCATR (Source Collection and Threat Reduction) Program, the importance of using the OPTIMUS®


systems is their ease


is obvious. The ease


of handling and operation of the system, and the lower costs associated with its use in moving these devices will be paramount moving forward. There was a lot of planning and thought put into moving just this one device, but it was worth it.” Today, NAC is in the final design and licensing stages of the newly developed OPTIMUS®


-XL to accommodate


dimensionally larger payloads with greater activities and dose rates. NAC is also in the theoretical design phase of another package for the OPTIMUS® OPTIMUS®


product line, the -S, for micro-reactor transportation and other Above: An OPTIMUS® 34 | December 2022 | www.neimagazine.com -H packaging unit


intermediate payloads. Both developing systems will be designed for legal weight truck transportation of radioactive materials and systems. ■


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