Radioactive Transport Containers are essential for the safe and secure movement and storage of radioactive materials. These specialized containers are engineered to provide optimized radiation protection, safeguarding operators and the environment from the risks associated with alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation during transfer and storage operations.
Lemer Pax offers a comprehensive range of shielded transport and storage containers, designed with meticulous attention to safety and regulatory compliance. Our expertise allows for the creation of customized models and configurations, tailored to meet specific client needs after thorough analysis by our dedicated design teams.
Tailored Shielded Containers: A Case Study with IRE
An exemplary instance of Lemer Pax’s custom design capabilities is our collaboration with the IRE (national Institute of RadioElements), a prominent Belgian public foundation. We partnered with IRE to develop bespoke shielded containers, specifically engineered for their unique requirements.
These containers exemplify a “Russian doll” design philosophy, incorporating multiple layers of shielding to guarantee superior radiation protection. Rigorous thermal and drop tests were conducted to validate the structural integrity and containment capabilities of these containers, ensuring the secure encapsulation of radioactive sources under various conditions.
Two primary container types were developed for IRE:
- The CP1 Container
- The CP3 Container
CP3 Radioactive Transport Container by Lemer Pax: A custom-designed shielded container for safe transport of radioactive materials, showcasing robust construction and radiation protection.
Type A Shielded Containers: Adhering to Regulatory Standards
Lemer Pax provides empty packaging rigorously tested and qualified as Type A packages, in full compliance with the IAEA Safety Standard – Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2018 Edition). Type A packaging is crucial for maintaining containment during the transportation of radioactive materials. This ensures the protection of both people and the environment from potential contamination and radiation exposure emanating from radioisotopes.
Our Type A containers meet the specifications for the following UN classifications:
- UN 2915: Radioactive material, Type A package non-special form, non-fissile or fissile-excepted.
- UN 2910: Radioactive material, excepted package-limited quantity of material.
- UN 2908: Radioactive material, excepted package-empty packaging.
- UN 3322: Radioactive material, low specific activity (LSA-III) non-fissile or fissile excepted.
Depending on the model, radiation shielding is achieved using steel, lead, or tungsten. This shielding ensures a consistent surface exposure rate that adheres to the IAEA Safety Standard throughout all transport phases. It is the responsibility of the packaging user to calculate the radioactive material content within the Type A package, in accordance with the IAEA Safety Standard – Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material (2018 Edition).
Key IAEA Regulations for Safe Transport:
IAEA – No. SSR-6 (2018) Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Material Definition of Exclusive Transport: § 221 Non-exclusive shipment by rail or road: § 573
Posisafe® KL-30 – Type A: Superior Attenuation and Ergonomic Design
The Posisafe® KL-30 Type A shielded container stands out with its 30 mm tungsten shield, delivering optimum source attenuation. Ergonomics and safety are paramount in its design, featuring a magnetic handle that simplifies and secures the lid locking and unlocking mechanism. This magnetic handle enhances user experience by providing superior ergonomics and optimized radiation protection.
Posisafe KL-30 Type A Radioactive Transport Container: Featuring a magnetic handle for ergonomic operation and a tungsten shield for optimal radiation attenuation.
Colibri-30 – Type B: Robustness for Enhanced Safety
The Colibri-30 Type B container provides an even higher level of protection. It’s constructed in two parts: an outer overpack made of durable 304 L stainless steel (both interior and exterior) and an inner Posisafe®KL-30 container crafted from tungsten. This combination ensures exceptional robustness and shielding capability.
Discover more about the Colibri-30 Type B container from Lemer Pax.
Posisafe® Range of Shielded Containers – Type A: Versatility and Secure Containment
The Posisafe® range offers diverse Type A shielded container models, providing flexibility to suit various needs. Options include 20 mm tungsten (“Posisafe® W20”), 30 mm tungsten (“Posisafe® W30”), and 30 mm lead (“Posisafe® Pb30”) versions.
Safety and user-friendliness are central to the Posisafe® design. Each model features a wide locking handle with a screw mechanism and a lid equipped with an O-ring seal. This design guarantees tight containment of the radioactive source during transport, along with providing a secure and stable grip on the container.
Posisafe Type A Shielded Container Range: Showcasing various models with different shielding materials (tungsten and lead) and ergonomic handles for secure and easy handling.
Additional Type A Container Designs: Optimized for Diverse Applications
Beyond the Posisafe® range, Lemer Pax offers other Type A containers engineered with specific features for varied applications:
- Stackable Designs: Containers designed for efficient stacking and storage.
- Captive Cap Mechanisms: Integrated cap designs to prevent loss or misplacement.
- Lockable Features: Enhanced security to prevent unauthorized access.
- Easy Stowage: Containers shaped for straightforward and secure transport and storage.
Type A Stackable Shielded Container: Illustrating a stackable container design for efficient space utilization in storage and transport.
Specialized Containers for Remote Source Handling
Lemer Pax also provides specialized containers designed for the remote handling of radioactive sources, prioritizing operator safety in high-radiation environments. These containers incorporate features like:
- Remote Lid Handling: Mechanisms allowing for lid operation from a safe distance.
- Remote Source Lifting Systems: Integrated systems for raising and manipulating sources remotely.
Remote Handling Shielded Container: Depicting a container designed for remote operation, featuring a lid that can be handled remotely and a system for lifting the radioactive source.
Shielded Incident Container: For Civil Security Missions
The Shielded Incident Container is specifically engineered for civil security missions. Mounted on a skid, its tubular frame facilitates transportation by two people while providing robust protection against external impacts during handling and transit. This container is designed for rapid deployment in emergency situations involving radioactive materials.
Shielded Incident Container on Skid: Showing a robust shielded container mounted on a skid with a tubular frame, designed for easy transport and protection during civil security missions.
In conclusion, Lemer Pax’s range of radioactive transport containers exemplifies a commitment to safety, regulatory compliance, and innovative design. From Type A and Type B containers to specialized solutions for remote handling and incident response, Lemer Pax provides reliable and high-performance solutions for the secure transport and storage of radioactive materials.
