DE3346683A1 - METHOD FOR SEALING LEAKING URANE HEXAFLUORIDE CONTAINERS - Google Patents

Description

S3 217 KT

TRANSNUKLEAR GmbH December 22, 1983

6450 Hanau 11

Method for sealing leaky oranhexa fluoride containers

The invention relates to a method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by introducing them in a protective container.

urane hexafluoride serves as the starting material for the Uranium-235 enrichment in enrichment plants. It is a highly volatile substance that does not melt sublimed even at room temperature. Because uranium hexafluoride, like most uranium compounds, is toxic it must be enclosed in tight containers and kept out of the biosphere.

Especially after the uranium-235 separation, the depleted uranium hexafluoride is stored for a longer period of time. This is usually done in pressure resistant, cylindrical, valved containers. Damage to these containers due to transport accidents or other disruptive effects mostly in the form of small cracks, not always identifiable

³ ^ close so that uranium hexafluoride can escape into the surrounding atmosphere. However, the escape of this substance must be prevented as soon as possible after the occurrence of the damage, whereby initially only a provisional shielding of the uranium

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hexafluoride is permitted in front of the environment before the containers can later be emptied in enrichment systems, for example,
δ

From EP-OS 28347 a device is known in which a tightly closable pressure vessel is mounted inside a container provided with heating systems, conveyors and pipes. The leaking uranium hexafluoride containers can be pushed into the pressure vessel and transported away. However, this device has a very complex structure, is cumbersome to use and is therefore expensive.

It was therefore the object of the present invention to provide a method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by placing in a protective

«
to develop a holder that is easy to implement,

^ ₀ reliably keeps uranium hexafluoride away from the biosphere and does not require a complicated device.

This object has been achieved according to the invention in that the leak is covered with a glass fiber reinforced, fast-curing polyester resin is covered that after curing of the polyester resin with this a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin is covered that after curing of the epoxy resin, the container in The area of the leak is spanned with a plastic film and then the sealed uranium hexafluoride container in a simple, pressure-resistant, with elements for handling and transport provided protective container is introduced.

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With the application of the fast-curing polyester resin A very quick seal is achieved on the leak, so that no toxic

Uranium hexafluoride can escape more. The application the purpose of the epoxy resin and the plastic film is to achieve improved adhesion of the sealing layer on the container. To be appropriately cut glass fiber fabric

^ mats with the usual polyester resin or with the usual Soaked in epoxy resin and placed on the leak. After curing the resin layers and the Wrapping with plastic film, preferably polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, the

sealed uranium hexafluoride container in a simple Protective containers are introduced that do not have additional heating systems, conveyors and lines must be provided, as the device

according to EP-OS 28347.
20th

The protective container preferably consists of two half-shells that are tight and pressure-tight with one another can be connected. The sealed uranium hexafluoride container is placed in a half-shell

and closed with the other half-shell. the

The protective container is advantageously separated into half-shells in the axial direction. The protective container is designed so that it is easy to handle and transport.
30th

With this method leaky uranium hexafluoride containers easily, safely and inexpensively seal and transport away for decanting.

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Claims (2)

S3 21 / KT TRANSNUKLEAR GmbH December 22, 1983 Hanau 11th Patent claims: Method for sealing leaky uranium hexa- fluoride containers
10 ./ Method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by placing them in a protective container,
characterized by that the leakage point with a glass fiber reinforced, fast-curing polyester resin is covered that after curing of the polyester resin ■ zes this with a glass fiber reinforced epoxy 20 Resin is covered that after curing of the epoxy resin, the container in the area of the leaky Place is spanned with plastic film and that the uranium hexa thus sealed fluoride container in a simple, pressure-resistant, 25 Protective container provided with elements for handling and transport is introduced. 2. Process for sealing uranium hexafluoride _or . containers according to claim 1,
ou characterized, . that the sealed container is placed in one of the protective container consisting of two half-shells and with the other half-shell tight and oc is closed pressure-tight. if _{/ 2}