Development of a 500 kCi BU-type Transport Container

A BU-type container was developed to protect persons, property and the environment from the effects of radiation during the transport of 500 kCi of tritium. Tritium in the form of T-2 is immobilized as a solid with a suitable metal to form a solid metal hydride. The container had a cross-linked polyethylene foam in-between a ceramic insulation layer and a polyurethane foam. A prototype shipping package was fabricated and subjected to several tests involving a 9 m free drop test, a 1 m puncture test and a fire test (800 degrees C, 30 min.) in accordance with the Korean regulations. The tritium containment was assured by a helium leakage test not only for a normal condition but also for accident conditions.