Content Addition and Testing for 2017 NRC Amendment for the Versa-Pac Type A Fissile Packaging - 18120
The Versa-Pac is a certified Type A, fissile packaging (USA NRC Certificate no. USA/9342/AF-96), often used as a waste package for one time use. Continuous content additions have improved the versatility of the package resulting in expanded uses for the nuclear industry. Principal design of the Versa-Pac packaging maintains the use of an inner liner positioned inside a 55-gallon (VP-55) or 110-gallon drum (VP-110), as used for decades in the transport and disposal of Type A fissile materials. The Versa-Pac is used directly or in conjunction with pails, pipe containers, poly bottles, and a variety of smaller containers, inserts and vessels. The Versa-Pac content developments assist the industry with site shutdown, decommissioning, and cleanup operations, allowing for removal, transport, and storage options for the residual waste materials. A 2017 NRC license amendment application adds new capabilities to the Versa-Pac that include a low 1.25 wt% {sup 235}U enriched uranium loading, small quantities of UF{sub 6} in the form of 1S and 2S cylinders, and a payload mass increase from 250 to 350 pounds for the Versa-Pac 55-gallon version (VP-55). The lower uranium enrichment loading of 1.25 wt% {sup 235}U allows for a higher uranium mass limit. The inclusion of 1S and 2S UF{sub 6} cylinders fills an industry need to remove and dispose of long-stored material during site cleanup activities. The content payload mass limit is increased for low contaminated or radioactive heavy metal contents, such as cut plant components and ingots. Regulatory certification of new contents is demonstrated by test, analysis, and a combination of these techniques to show that the design function of the Versa-Pac as a Type A fissile package remains unchanged. Specific UF{sub 6} criticality and thermal analysis upgrades are added to the design documentation to accommodate 1S and 2S UF{sub 6} cylinders. The parameters for criticality analyses are simplified, ensuring no credit for cylinder containment is required for HAC thus reducing the reliance on a single specific shoring device. An upgrade of the Versa-Pac thermal analysis demonstrates compliance with ANSI N14.1 UF{sub 6} cylinder thermal limits. A new drop test sequence for the VP-55 was performed, documenting the addition of the 350-pound payload and demonstrating the VP-55 maintains structural integrity during the NCT and HAC drop, crush and puncture events as defined by 10 CFR 71. The testing and analyses show no loss of the material occurs and the package maintains the material in a subcritical state. This paper traces the engineering and licensing efforts involved in expanding the Versa-Pac's versatility for the 2017 NRC amendment application; summarizing the new testing and results for the payload increase, the content addition criticality and thermal evaluations, and content description for the Versa-Pac Safety Analysis Report. The NRC license amendment is scheduled for Winter 2017. Testing and supporting analyses reported in the Versa-Pac Safety Analysis Report demonstrates the content developments met the performance requirements of 10 CFR 71 for a Type A fissile package. A revision of the NRC Certificate of Compliance is expected in Spring 2018. (authors)