DD262505B1 - TRANSPORT CONTAINERS FOR RADIOACTIVE SUBSTANCES HIGH ACTIVITY - Google Patents

Abstract

Radioactive materials and radiation sources of high activity can be encased safely with regard to gamma and neutron radiation in closed containers or as solid bulk material of various types using the transport container according to the invention, stored and transported between filling and emptying stations of type B (U) nuclear facilities. The transport container is universally applicable and guarantees inexpensive and directionally independent loading and unloading in conditions of protection against gamma radiation, and a high degree of safety during transport in the public transport sector. According to the invention, the transport container consists of a watertight shielding housing (1), which is safe on all sides with respect to gamma and/or neutron radiation and mechanically and thermally stable, and in which there is arranged rotatably mounted a cylindrical rotary insert (2) having recesses (3) for accommodating the loading material. By rotating the rotary insert (2) together with the loading material, the loading and/or unloading opening of the shielding housing (1) is mechanically sealed, protection against gamma or neutron radiation is simultaneously realised, and the loading material is transferred into the transport position. The transport container is sealed watertight by a protective lid (4), and the rotary insert (2) is locked in the process. As a result, the transport container satisfies the requirements of the type B (U) design. <IMAGE>

Description

For this 3 pages drawings

Field of application of the invention

The invention relates to a transport container for γ-radiation-safe transport of radioactive materials, in particular with high activity incurred as cargo in closed containers or as solid bulk in nuclear facilities, handled or stored for various loading and unloading or stored between filling and emptying to be transported with high transport safety.

Characteristic of the known state of the art

In known transport containers for radioactive substances of high activity in tight containers, such. B. the solution according to DD-WP 222997, radiation protection devices are arranged in the loading / unloading. Within the radiation protection device, a lifting / pivoting device for removal or for insertion of the radiation protection cover is arranged. With this lifting / pivoting device, the radiation protection cover is pivoted out of the loading axis of the transport container. In this area, a lifting device for handling the load must be mounted in addition

A disadvantage is that an additional Strahlenabschirmvorrichtung must be present in order to comply with the radiation protection for the operator.

The lifting / swiveling device must be designed in such a way that the remote-controlled re-insertion of the radiation protection cover is also possible from the side Ausschwenklage. This requires a complicated device overhead.

Another disadvantage is that the radiation protection device and the lifting / pivoting device must be coordinated with each other, because they require the same functional space.

In WP-DD 211 699 a transport container for radiation sources with a continuous loading channel and rotatable magazine is proposed in which a plurality of magazine channels are arranged eccentrically and parallel to the axis of rotation. The loading or unloading of the entire magazine drum is carried out in a hot cell, while the radiation-safe sealed magazine channels is done individually by loading rods by the magazine drum is rotated to a corresponding position of the loading channel via a centrally arranged switching shaft. The loading channel is sealed by plugs safe against radiation and the magazine drum can be locked.

This solution can only be used for the transfer of radiation sources in conjunction with hot cells and irradiation systems. For use in a continuous technological disposal chain with large loading units additional coupling elements for the radio-safe envelope are required, which can be realized only with great technical effort.

Also known are containers with one-sided or two-sided rotary fasteners (DE-OS 2005944 and DE-OS 3248592).

These are particularly suitable for γ-ray-safe loading / unloading, but due to the associated size and net mass and the high production costs to use restrictions on the possible dimensions of the male cargo.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide for radioactive materials, especially with high activity, a universally applicable transport container, which ensures the legally required γ-ray shielding and tightness and the mechanical and thermal protection under all conditions of transport in the public transport. In a simple and robust design and optimum dimensions, a low-cost, γ-radiation-safe and direction-independent envelope of the cargo, z. B. vertically from above or below or horizontally and / or consistently be realized.

Explanation of the essence of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a transport container for the radio-safe envelope, environmentally safe transport and storage for radioactive materials, especially high activity, the eirte direction independent loading / unloading without additional devices for removal of the radiation protection cover ensures while meeting the requirements of the type B (U) execution of the transport container and is suitable for loading units of any size and shape.

According to the invention the object is achieved in that the transport container for handling, transport and storage of radioactive material high activity consists of a γ- and / or neutronenstrahlensicheren, mechanically and thermally stable and waterproof shielding, which with opposite axis equal loading and unloading through Protective covers are lockable, equipped.

In Abschirmoehäuse a cylindrical or spherical insert is rotatably mounted with one or more radial, arranged perpendicular to the axis of rotation continuous or unilaterally open recesses for receiving the cargo.

The insert is rotated by the externally arranged drive, wherein the recesses liogen in the same position with the loading and unloading of the Abschirmgehäuses. By rotation of the insert with the load, the loading and / or unloading of the shield is mechanically closed, at the same time the γ- or neutron radiation protection ensured by the shielding of the massive cylindrical or spherical sections of the insert and the load in the storage or transport position transferred.

The loading / unloading the shielding are tightly closed by protective cover with positive connection approach and provided with groove rotatable insert in its transport position locked at least on one side.

The γ-radiation-proof shielding housing and the recesses in the rotatable insert are optionally additionally lined on the inside with neutron absorber material on all sides to ensure neutron radiation protection.

By constructive design of the interchangeable insert, the scope of loading and activity related variable, thus the storage, collection and transport of multiple containers or radiation sources of different geometric shapes ve: different nuclear facilities is possible. The transport container is rotatable and / or pivotable executed by interchangeable rotary and support pins and is thus adaptable to procedural and transport technology applications and applications adaptable. The handling of the load from or into a nuclear facility or facility is carried out by internal cell lifting devices, by a placed on the transport container, radiation-protected lifting device or by using the gravity of the load.

The advantages of the invention are that the proposed solution for the transport container storage, collection and transport of radioactive materials high activity in a continuous technological chain between loading and emptying nuclear installations and facilities while ensuring radiation protection without additional Uml & D processes and facilities used and in type B (U) design meets the legal requirements for the transport of dangerous goods in the public transport sector.

embodiment

Fig. 1: Transport container (basic type) for continuous handling

Fig. 2: Transport container for one-sided handling

Fig. 3: Transport container for the collection, storage and transport of several containers for radioactive substances or

Radiation sources Fig. 4: Transport container for the collection, storage and transport of several γ- and neutron sources

FIG. 1 shows the transport container in type B (U) design for the continuous handling of radioactive substances of high activity. The transport container consists of a shielding 1, which ensures the all-round γ-ray, mechanical and thermal protection and tightness. In the shield 1, a cylindrical or spherical insert 2 with radially arranged recess 3 for receiving the load 13 is rotatably mounted according to the shape and size of the container. The loading / unloading 11 are tightly closed by the protective cover 4 with positive locking approach for locking in recess 12 of the insert 2 in the transport position of the load in the container 13 and the protective cover 5. For the control of accidents, the protective covers 4 and 5 are designed as γ-radiation protection cover. For the defined discharge of the load 13, a mechanical lock 6 is arranged in the recess 3 in the insert 2. The rotation of the insert 2 is effected by an axially coupled drive through an opening which is sealed by the lid 8 during transport of the transport container. The transport container is equipped with implementable trunnions and rotatable and transportable in radial arrangement 7 and axial arrangement 10. The sectional view depicted in FIG. 1 represents the preferred arrangement for the handling of the load and the plan view the transport position.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the transport container in type B (U) design for the one-sided loading and unloading of radioactive substances of high activity. The shielding housing 1 is designed with one for the loading and unloading 11 of the one-sided open recess 3 in the rotatably mounted insert 2 for receiving the load 13. The loading and unloading 11 is sealed by a protective cover 4 with positive locking approach and locked the insert 2 in transport position. For the unloading of the load 13 in a nuclear facility 17, the transport container is rotated about the trunnions 7. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of the transport container in type B (U) design for the continuous transfer of radioactive substances of high activity or radiation sources. The shielding housing 1 is designed with the loading and unloading 11, which are tightly enclosed by the protective cover 4 with positive locking approach for locking the insert 2 in the recess 12 and protective cover 5. For receiving the load 16 in the insert 2 two continuous, intersecting in the axial center recesses 14 are arranged. By a plug 15 in the center of the load 16 is secured in its transport position. The insert 2 can be adapted to the application or application by the arrangement of further recesses of any shape and size.

Depending on the type of radiation of the cargo of the shielding material or the Abschirmwerkstoff combination of the shielding case 1 and insert 2 is selected, such. For example, steel, lead and uranium for γ-ray shielding or paraffin, boron and cadmium for neutron absorption.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the transport container in type B (U) design for the continuous handling, storage and transport of a plurality of cargo containers with γ and neutron sources. For the neutron radiation protection of the transport container shown in Figure 3 is additionally inside the shield 1 by an annular space 18, the recesses 14 in the insert 2 by a cylindrical annulus 19 and the protective cover 20 and 21 in the region of the annular space 18 with a suitable Neutronenabsorbermaterial, such. As paraffin, boron or cadmium, perform in the required shielding thickness for the application.

Claims (3)

1. Transport container for handling, transport and storage of radioactive material high activity, consisting of a γ- and / or neutronenstrahlensicheren, mechanically and thermally stable and watertight shielding with opposite axis equal loading and unloading, which are closed by protective cover, and from a central in the shielding housing rotatably mounted, provided with one or more recesses for receiving the load insert whose drive axis is guided to the outside, through which the recesses in achsengleicherStellung adjustable with the loading and unloading, characterized in that the recesses (3,14) in cylindrical or spherical shaped insert (2) are radially incorporated, which is the axis of rotation of the insert (2) perpendicular to the axis or the axes of the recesses and that at least the protective cover (4,20) of the loading opening is provided with a positive locking approach, in Transportla ge of the load (13,16) in a groove (12) of the insert (2) engages. 2. Transport container according to claim 1, characterized by recesses open on one side for receiving the load (13,16) in the insert (2). 3. Transport container according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the recesses and the shielding are lined inside with Neutronenabsorbermaterial and that the protective cover are extended in the region of the inner lining of the shielding with this material.