Enhanced thermal testing of type b radioactive material packages

Safety is the top priority in the transport of radioactive material. Safety is primarily ensured using the appropriate type of package in compliance with the requirements specified within the national and international regulations. According to the IAEA Transport Regulations, type B packages must fulfill certain performance criteria in order to demonstrate that they will withstand normal and accident conditions of transport. The qualifications tests for packages, used for transport and storage in Romania, can be performed at INR Pitesti where a Testing Facility for type A and B packages with a maximum weight up to 5 tones has been developed. The paper presents a detailed description of the fire testing facility, designed and developed by Reliability and Testing Laboratory within INR, and the thermal test performed for type B radioactive material package. Also an experimental prototype that offers a solution for enhancing the thermal test conditions is described. (authors)