EP0155361B1 - Process for blocking up leaking containers of uranium hexafluoride - Google Patents

Process for blocking up leaking containers of uranium hexafluoride Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0155361B1
EP0155361B1 EP84114082A EP84114082A EP0155361B1 EP 0155361 B1 EP0155361 B1 EP 0155361B1 EP 84114082 A EP84114082 A EP 84114082A EP 84114082 A EP84114082 A EP 84114082A EP 0155361 B1 EP0155361 B1 EP 0155361B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
uranium hexafluoride
container
containers
curing
sealed
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP84114082A
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German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0155361A3 (en
EP0155361A2 (en
Inventor
Rolf Schüler
Horst Dipl.-Ing. Geiger
Werner Dipl.-Ing. Pfeifer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tnh Transporte und Dienstleistungen Abwicklungsges
Original Assignee
TNH Transporte und Dienstleistungen Abwicklungsgesellschaft mbH
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0155361A2 publication Critical patent/EP0155361A2/en
Publication of EP0155361A3 publication Critical patent/EP0155361A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
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Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/12—Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/005—Containers for solid radioactive wastes, e.g. for ultimate disposal

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by introducing them into a protective container.
  • Uranium hexafluoride serves as the starting material for uranium-235 enrichment in enrichment plants. It is a volatile substance that sublimes at room temperature without melting. Because uranium hexafluoride, like most uranium compounds, is toxic, it must be enclosed in sealed containers and kept away from the biosphere.
  • the depleted uranium hexafluoride is temporarily stored. This is usually done in pressure-resistant, cylindrical, valved containers. Damage to these containers, usually in the form of small cracks, cannot always be ruled out by transport accidents or other interferences, so that uranium hexafluoride can escape into the surrounding atmosphere. The escape of this substance must, however, be prevented as soon as possible after the occurrence of the damage, initially only provisional shielding of the uranium hexafluoride from the environment being permitted before the containers can later be emptied, for example, in enrichment plants.
  • the fast-curing polyester resin By applying the fast-curing polyester resin to the leak, a very quick seal is achieved so that no toxic uranium hexafluoride can escape.
  • the purpose of applying the epoxy resin and the plastic film is to achieve improved adhesion of the sealing layer to the container.
  • fiberglass mats cut to size are impregnated with conventional polyester resin or with conventional epoxy resin and placed on the leak.
  • plastic film preferably polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene
  • the uranium hexafluoride container sealed in this way can be introduced into a simple protective container which does not have to be provided with additional heating systems, conveying devices and lines, such as the device according to EP-A-28347 .
  • the protective container preferably consists of two half-shells which can be connected to one another in a tight and pressure-tight manner.
  • the sealed uranium hexafluoride container is placed in one half-shell and sealed with the other half-shell.
  • 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.
  • leaky uranium hexafluoride containers can be sealed easily, safely and without great expense and transported away for decanting.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Reinforced Plastic Materials (AREA)
  • Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
  • Sealing Material Composition (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Abdichtung von undichten Uranhexafluoridbehältern durch Einbringung in einen Schutzbehälter.The invention relates to a method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by introducing them into a protective container.

Uranhexafluorid dient als Ausgangsmaterial für die Uran-235-Areicherung in Anreicherungsanalgen. Es ist eine leichtflüchtige Substanz, die ohne zu schmelzen schon bei Raumtemperatur sublimiert. Da Uranhexafluorid, wie die meisten Uranverbindungen, toxisch ist, muß es in dichten Behältern eingeschlossen und von der Biosphäre ferngehalten werden.Uranium hexafluoride serves as the starting material for uranium-235 enrichment in enrichment plants. It is a volatile substance that sublimes at room temperature without melting. Because uranium hexafluoride, like most uranium compounds, is toxic, it must be enclosed in sealed containers and kept away from the biosphere.

Besonders nach der Uran-235-Abtrennung wird das abgereicherte Uranhexafluorid noch längere Zeit zwischengelagert. Dies erfolgt normalerweise in druckbeständigen, zylinderförmigen, mit Ventilen versehenen Behältern. Durch Transportunfälle oder durch sonstige Störeinwirkungen sind Beschädigungen an diesen Behältern, meist in Form kleiner Risse, nicht immer auszuschließen, sodaß Uranhexafluorid in die umgebende Atmosphäre, austreten kann. Das Entweichen dieser Substanz muß aber nach Eintritt des Schadensfalles in möglichst kurzer Zeit unterbunden werden, wobei zunächst eine nur provisorische Abschirmung des Uranhexafluorids vor der Umgebung zulässig ist, bevor die Behälter später beispielsweise in Anreicherungsanlagen entleert werden können.Especially after the uranium-235 has been separated off, the depleted uranium hexafluoride is temporarily stored. This is usually done in pressure-resistant, cylindrical, valved containers. Damage to these containers, usually in the form of small cracks, cannot always be ruled out by transport accidents or other interferences, so that uranium hexafluoride can escape into the surrounding atmosphere. The escape of this substance must, however, be prevented as soon as possible after the occurrence of the damage, initially only provisional shielding of the uranium hexafluoride from the environment being permitted before the containers can later be emptied, for example, in enrichment plants.

Aus der EP-A-28347 ist eine Vorrichtung bekannt, bei der ein dicht verschließbarer Druckbehälter innerhalb eines mit Heizanlagen, Fördereinrichtungen und Leitungen versehenen Containers angebracht ist. Die undichten Uranhexafluoridbehälter können in den Druckbehälter geschoben und wegtransportiert werden. Diese Vorrichtung ist allerdings recht kompliziert aufgebaut, umständlich zu handhaben und daher teuer.From EP-A-28347 a device is known in which a tightly closable pressure vessel is mounted within a container provided with heating systems, conveyors and lines. The leaky uranium hexafluoride containers can be pushed into the pressure container and transported away. However, this device is constructed in a complicated manner, cumbersome to handle and therefore expensive.

Es war deshalb Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung, ein Verfahren zur Abdichtung von undichten Uranhexafluoridbehältern durch Einbringung in einen Schutzbehälter zu entwickeln, das einfach durchführbar ist, zuverlässig das Uranhexafluorid von der Biosphäre fernhält und keine komplizierte Vorrichtung benötigt.It was therefore an object of the present invention to develop a method for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by introducing them into a protective container which is simple to carry out, reliably keeps the uranium hexafluoride away from the biosphere and does not require any complicated device.

Diese Aufgabe wurde erfindungsgemäß dadurch gelöst, daß die undichte Stelle mit einem glasfaserverstärkten, schnellaushärtenden Polyesterharz abgedeckt wird, daß nach Aushärtung des Polyesterharzes dieses mit einem glasfaserverstärkten Epoxidharz überdeckt wird, daß nach Aushärtung des Epoxidharzes der Behälter im Bereich der undichten Stelle mit einer Kunststoffolie umspannt wird und daß anschließend der so abgedichtete Uranhexafluoridbehälter in einen einfachen, druckfesten, mit Elementen zur Handhabung und zum Transport versehenen Schutzbehälter eingebracht wird.This object was achieved in that the leak is covered with a glass fiber reinforced, fast-curing polyester resin, that after curing the polyester resin is covered with a glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin that the container in the area of the leak is covered with a plastic film after curing of the epoxy resin and that the uranium hexafluoride container sealed in this way is then introduced into a simple, pressure-resistant protective container provided with elements for handling and transport.

Mit der Aufbringung des schnellaushärtenden Polyesterharzes auf die undichte Stelle wird eine sehr rasche Abdichtung erreicht, sodaß kein toxisches Uranhexafluorid mehr austreten kann. Das Aufbringen des Epoxidharzes und der Kunststoffolie hat den Zweck, eine verbesserte Haftung der Abdichtungsschicht auf dem Behälter zu erzielen. Dazu werden entsprechend zurechtgeschnitten Glasfasergewebematten mit üblichem Polyesterharz bzw. mit üblichem Epoxidharz getränkt und auf die undichte Stelle gelegt. Nach der Aushärtung der Harzschichten und dem Umwickeln mit Kunststoffolie, vorzugsweise Polyäthylen oder Polytetrafluoräthylen, kann der so abgedichtete Uranhexafluoridbehälter in einen einfachen Schutzbehälter eingebracht werden, der nicht mit zusätzlichen Heizanlagen, Fördereinrichtungen und Leitungen versehen sein muß, wie die Vorrichtung gemäß EP-A-28347.By applying the fast-curing polyester resin to the leak, a very quick seal is achieved so that no toxic uranium hexafluoride can escape. The purpose of applying the epoxy resin and the plastic film is to achieve improved adhesion of the sealing layer to the container. For this purpose, fiberglass mats cut to size are impregnated with conventional polyester resin or with conventional epoxy resin and placed on the leak. After the resin layers have hardened and wrapped with plastic film, preferably polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene, the uranium hexafluoride container sealed in this way can be introduced into a simple protective container which does not have to be provided with additional heating systems, conveying devices and lines, such as the device according to EP-A-28347 .

Vorzugsweise besteht der Schutzbehälter aus zwei Halbschalen, die dicht und druckfest miteinander verbunden werden können. Der abgedichtete Uranhexafluoridbehälter wird dabei in eine Halbschale gelegt und mit der anderen Halbschale verschlossen. Die Trennung des Schutzbehälters in Halbschalen erfolgt vorteilhafterweise in axialer Richtung. Der Schutzbehälter ist so ausgebildet, daß er leicht handhabbar und transportierbar ist.The protective container preferably consists of two half-shells which can be connected to one another in a tight and pressure-tight manner. The sealed uranium hexafluoride container is placed in one half-shell and sealed with the other half-shell. 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.

Mit diesem Verfahren lassen sich undichte Uranhexafluoridbehälter einfach, sicher und ohne großen Kostenaufwand abdichten und zur Umfüllung abtransportieren.With this process, leaky uranium hexafluoride containers can be sealed easily, safely and without great expense and transported away for decanting.

Claims (2)

1. A process for sealing leaky uranium hexafluoride containers by introduction into a protective container, characterized in that the leak is covered with a glass fibre-reinforced, quick-curing polyester resin, the polyester resin is covered over after curing with a glass-fibre-reinforced epoxy resin, a plastics film is then wrapped around the container in the region of the leak after curing of the epoxy resin and the uranium hexafluoride container thus sealed is then introduced into a simple, pressure-tight protective vessel provided with elements for handling and for transport.
2. A process for sealing uranium hexafluoride containers as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sealed container is introduced into one half shell of the protective container consisting of two half shells and is firmly closed in pressure-tight manner with the other half shell.
EP84114082A 1983-12-23 1984-11-22 Process for blocking up leaking containers of uranium hexafluoride Expired - Lifetime EP0155361B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19833346683 DE3346683A1 (en) 1983-12-23 1983-12-23 METHOD FOR SEALING LEAKING URANE HEXAFLUORIDE CONTAINERS
DE3346683 1983-12-23

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0155361A2 EP0155361A2 (en) 1985-09-25
EP0155361A3 EP0155361A3 (en) 1988-03-02
EP0155361B1 true EP0155361B1 (en) 1990-10-03

Family

ID=6217880

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP84114082A Expired - Lifetime EP0155361B1 (en) 1983-12-23 1984-11-22 Process for blocking up leaking containers of uranium hexafluoride

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0155361B1 (en)
DE (2) DE3346683A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2129836B1 (en) * 1971-03-16 1974-04-26 Commissariat Energie Atomique
DE2944734A1 (en) * 1979-11-06 1981-06-11 Reederei und Spedition Braunkohle GmbH, 5047 Wesseling TRANSPORTABLE DEVICE FOR RECEIVING SUBSTANCES TO BE SHIELDED FROM THE ENVIRONMENT
FR2473213B1 (en) * 1980-01-07 1986-03-21 Ecopo LONG-TERM CONTAINMENT DEVICE FOR RADIOACTIVE OR TOXIC WASTE AND ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3346683A1 (en) 1985-07-11
DE3483363D1 (en) 1990-11-08
EP0155361A3 (en) 1988-03-02
EP0155361A2 (en) 1985-09-25

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