LLW ISO Freight Containers
Croft was the prime mover in the establishment within the UK of the use of IP-2 packages for Low Level Waste (LLW) based on the design features and established ISO standards for ISO Freight Containers.The first designs developed were required for the shipment of LLW to BNFL, Sellafield and Drigg and for the emplacement of waste in the Drigg LLW vaults.
These designs were established by Croft Associates Ltd (Croft) and adopted by a UK industry wide group called “The ISO Procurement Club” which co-ordinated the technical and commercial requirements of the principal producers of LLW in the UK.
Croft managed The ISO Procurement Club, including managing the manufacture, storage and distribution of the first 2,000 IP-2 ISO Freight Containers built in the UK.
Croft carried out all the design work, developed design approaches (especially leak testable seals and lid closure systems), and established standards which have since been adopted in a DfT design guide.
Croft was also involved in the development of the special provisions for Freight Containers that have been included in the IAEA TS-R-1 Regulations for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Materials.
Since the early designs, there has been a requirement for a number of different sizes of IP-2 ISO Freight Containers and a number of special designs for large heavy items requiring special internal tie-down arrangements.
Croft has designed most of the IP-2 ISO Freight Containers used and currently in use in the UK for the transport and storage of LLW. There are estimated to be over 12,000 IP-2 ISO Freight Containers in the LLW Repository near Drigg.
The design of IP-2 ISO Freight Containers were established over 25 years ago and represented a significant cost benefit over alternative designs being considered at that time, the design principles for these containers are still in use today.
