Survivability Tests on a Nuclear Waste Cask in Simulated Railroad Accident Fires.
Abstract
A test program was executed to determine the survivability of a nuclear waste cask when exposed to a fire due to a train derailment. The particular cask in question was modified to be similar to those which are used for transporting nuclear waste by rail. The modification consisted of adding impact limiters on each end to absorb shock in the event of an accident and a jacket filled with water to serve as a neutron shield. A total of five tests was conducted using a propane torch as the heat source with the center of the torch positioned at different locations on the cask. The torch nozzle was positioned 12 feet from the surface of the cask in the first four tests which constituted a torch fire situation and 20 feet in the fifth test to simulate a pool fire situation. The report presents a description of the nuclear waste cask, the test procedures used in the program, the test data, and some general observations on the test series.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADA130872
Entities
People
- John A. Zook
- William P. Wright
- Willis F. Jackson.
Organizations
- Ballistic Research Laboratory