SHIPPING CONTAINER SYSTEM FOR TRANSPORTING NUCLEAR FUEL COMPONENT, INCLUDING TUBULAR CONTAINER, OVERPACK AND UNIT FOR SUPPORTING OVERPACK

摘要

PURPOSE: A shipping container system is provided to safely transport unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly and other nuclear fuel components under conditions of high possibility of accidents. CONSTITUTION: A shipping container system(10) comprises a tubular container(26) designed to accommodate and support a first nuclear fuel product, wherein the tubular container has an outer surface with at least two substantially flat walls which are extended substantially over an axial size of the tubular container, wherein at least one of the walls has at least one circumferential end with a hinge-connected interface so as to provide an access to an interior of the tubular container; an overpack(12) having an axial size which is long as the tubular container, an inner cross section larger than the tubular container, and an inner tubular channel having an axially extending lower support portion for supporting a plurality of buffering mounts(28), wherein at least one of the buffering mounts is disposed at a radial side of a lower support portion, wherein the buffering mounts support one or the other of the flat walls of the tubular container in spaced relationship with the lower support portion when the overpack is supported in a horizontal position, wherein at least one circumferential end of the lower support portion has an interface which is clamped substantially in accordance with the axial size of the tubular container, so as to provide an access to the overpack; and a unit for supporting the overpack in a horizontal direction.