Approaches and methods to ensure safety of international transport of Russian research reactor SNF

M.V.Baryshnikov, O.P.Barinkov, A.N.Dorofeev, B.A.Kanashov, S.V.Komarov and A.V.Smirnov 

RERTR 2009 - 31st INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON REDUCED ENRICHMENT FOR RESEARCH AND TEST REACTORS, 1-5 November, 2009

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International Russian Research Reactor Fuel Return (RRRFR) Program is a part of the program to reduce research reactor nuclear fuel enrichment and closely associated with it. Removal and delivery of HEU SNF from reactor pools to the RF reprocessing facility under the RRRFR program revealed new opportunities for delivery of fresh LEU fuel and extension of the research programs.
On the other hand, implementation of the RRRFR Program raised many regulatory, legal and administrative issues and catalyzed resolution of many practical issues raised during transportation of nuclear materials.
The report presents the related experience of the Russian organizations participated in this program. The basic technical solutions aimed at enhancement of nuclear material transportation safety are provided. It is shown that these technical solutions result in enhancement of the efficiency and quality of the transportations.