EP2320429A1 - Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials including radially stacked radiation protection elements - Google Patents

Abstract

The package has a lateral body (14) with inner and outer concentric metallic collars (22, 24) that jointly form an annular space (18) in which a radiological protection device (20) is housed. The device has radiological protection elements (30, 32) superimposed along radial direction of the package. The elements are in support against the collars, respectively. The elements are in contact with each other along an interface (40) taking form of a truncated or plane segment inclined at a right side with respect to a longitudinal axis of the package. The segment forms angle of 1 and 10 degrees. An independent claim is also included for a method for forming a package.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to the field of transport and / or storage of radioactive materials, such as nuclear fuel assemblies, fresh or irradiated.

In particular, the invention relates to a package comprising a radiological protection device arranged between two concentric rings, forming a barrier against gamma radiation.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Conventionally, for the transportation and / or storage of nuclear fuel assemblies, storage devices are used, also called "basket" or "rack" storage. These storage devices, usually of cylindrical shape and of substantially circular section, have a plurality of adjacent housings each adapted to receive a nuclear fuel assembly. The storage device is intended to be housed in the cavity of a package to form together with it a container for the transport and / or storage of nuclear fuel assemblies, in which the nuclear material is confined.

The aforementioned cavity is generally defined by a lateral body extending in a longitudinal direction of the package, this lateral body comprising for example two concentric metal ferrules jointly forming an annular space inside which is housed a radiological protection device, in particular to form a barrier against gamma radiation emitted by the fuel assemblies housed in the cavity.

Conventionally, the radiological protection device is made using several prefabricated elements made of lead or in one of its alloys, distributed around the cavity, in the appropriate annular space defined by the two metal ferrules.

To do this, each of these elements is inserted between the two ferrules, in a longitudinal insertion direction. Thus, a mounting clearance must be provided to allow such insertion, this game resulting in a discontinuity of material in the lateral body of the package, in the radial direction in which the inner ring is successively arranged, the protective elements radiological, and the outer shell. The discontinuity of material observed has the effect of a considerable decrease in the thermal conductivity of the lateral body of the package, implying a low capacity of the latter to evacuate the heat produced by the fuel assemblies.

To minimize the negative impact of material discontinuities, the gaps between the radiological protection elements and the ferrules may be reduced by decreasing manufacturing tolerances, but it is nevertheless very expensive, and does not by any means to eliminate discontinuities matter.

Other means may be employed to mitigate the loss of thermal efficiency, such as that for injecting helium into empty spaces. However, this technique entails a cost and poses serious problems of operation of the package.

Another solution consists in separating the radiological protection function from the thermal conduction function, this being then fulfilled by means of additional elements of the fin type connecting the two ferrules, arranged alternately with the radiological protection elements in the radiator. annular space. Nevertheless, this further complicates the design of the package, and also requires the use of special techniques to ensure that the fins are in contact with each of the two side body ferrules.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.

To do this, the subject of the invention is a package for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials, said package comprising a lateral body extending around a longitudinal axis of said package, said lateral body forming a cavity of housing of radioactive materials and comprising an inner metal ferrule and an outer metal ferrule, the two ferrules being concentric and together forming an annular space within which is housed a radiation protection device forming a barrier against gamma radiation.

According to the invention, said radiological protection device comprises at least a first and a second radiological protection metal elements superimposed in a radial direction of the package, said first element being in abutment against the outer shell and said second element being in support against the inner ferrule. In addition, said first and second elements are in contact with each other in an interface taking, in section along any plane passing through said interface and integrating the longitudinal axis, the shape of a straight line segment inclined by report to this axis.

The invention thus offers a clever design allowing the radiological protection elements to conduct heat satisfactorily between the two ferrules. Indeed, the heat is conducted continuously first between the inner ferrule and the second radiological protection element through the contact between these parts, then between the contacting faces of the first and second elements, and finally between the first element and the outer shell, always because of the expected contact between these parts.

Thus, the particular geometry and arrangement of the radiological protection elements make it possible to confer on the lateral body of the package a satisfactory thermal conductivity. The presence helium or thermal conduction fins is no longer necessary, which allows to present a package design and simplified manufacturing.

In addition, the first and second radiological protection elements are no longer intended, as in the prior art, to approach closer to each of the two ferrules, but each being only in contact with the one and remotely on the other of the two ferrules, the manufacturing tolerances of these elements can be increased. This advantageously results in a significant cost reduction.

Finally, it is noted that the contact force occurring at the interface of the first and second superimposed elements radially is inclined relative to the longitudinal direction. The intensity of this contact as well as the intensity of contact between the radiological protection elements and their associated ferrule is therefore dependent on the longitudinal relative position between the elements. Consequently, when one of the two longitudinal sliding protection elements is inserted between its associated ferrule and the other protection element, the contacts, once established, have an intensity which increases as one continues the insertion, which gives the elements a self-tightening character between the ferrules. Increasing the intensity of these contacts is advantageous in that it provides better thermal conduction. In this regard, it is noted that one and / or the other of the radiological protection elements may be coated with a heat-conducting layer at the contact interface, so that to further improve the thermal conduction between these elements. This layer is preferably thin, and deformable, for example made of lead or in one of its alloys. Naturally, this heat conducting layer solution can also be adopted at the contacts between the radiological protection elements and the ferrules.

Preferably, said inclined line segment forms with said longitudinal axis an angle (A) of between 1 and 10 °.

The interface thus inclined allows a satisfactory radial plating of the radiological protection elements against their associated ferrule, when they are forced longitudinally.

Preferably, said interface between said first and second elements is plane or frustoconical. In any case, its surface nature confers a satisfactory overall thermal conductivity to the lateral body of the package.

In the case where it is flat, it preferably takes, in any section along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, the shape of a line segment orthogonal to a radial line passing through its middle. In the other case where it is frustoconical, it is preferably coaxial with the inner and outer rings. Preferably, the outer surface of the first element bearing against the outer shell is of cross section, or even more preferably in the form of a circular arc of diameter identical to that of the inner surface of the outer shell against which it is supported , and the inner surface of the second element bearing against the inner ferrule is of cross section, or even more preferably in the form of a circular arc of diameter identical to that of the outer surface of the inner ferrule against which it is supported. The arcuate sections are preferred, especially when they are centered on the longitudinal axis, as they allow the obtaining of surface contacts between the ferrules and the radiological protection elements.

Preferably, each of the first and second members is held only by contacts in the annular space. This implies, in particular, that no additional fastening means is reported between a protective element and its associated shell, or between the two radially superimposed protection elements. The design allows these elements to maintain each other by contact, also using ferrules.

Furthermore, said first and second elements have an identical or different circumferential extent.

By way of example, the package comprises a plurality of first radiological protection metal elements as well as a plurality of second radiological protection metal elements, each first element being supported radially solely on one of said plurality of second elements. , and conversely, each pair of first and second elements presenting here preferably an identical circumferential extent.

Finally, the subject of the invention is also a process for manufacturing a package as described above, in which first one of said first and second elements is placed in the annular space and then inserted longitudinally the other of said first and second elements between its associated ferrule and the element already in place.

Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the detailed non-limiting description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 représente une vue schématique d'un conteneur pour le transport et/ou entreposage d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire, comprenant un emballage selon un premier mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention, uniquement représenté grossièrement ;
• la figure 2 représente une vue plus détaillée en coupe transversale d'une partie de l'emballage, prise le long de la ligne II-II de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 représente une vue en coupe prise le long de la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 représente schématiquement une étape du procédé de fabrication de l'emballage montré sur les figures précédentes ; et
• les figures 5 et 6 représentent des vues similaires à celle de la figure 2, l'emballage se présentant sous la forme d'autres modes de réalisation préférés.

This description will be made with reference to the appended drawings among which;

• the figure 1 is a schematic view of a container for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, comprising a package according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, only shown roughly;
• the figure 2 is a more detailed cross-sectional view of a portion of the package, taken along line II-II of the figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 represents a sectional view taken along line III-III of the figure 2 ;
• the figure 4 schematically represents a step of the method of manufacturing the package shown in the preceding figures; and
• the Figures 5 and 6 represent views similar to that of the figure 2 the package being in the form of other preferred embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Firstly with reference to the figure 1 we see a container 1 for the transport and / or storage of nuclear fuel assemblies. It is recalled in this respect that the invention is in no way limited to the transport / storage of this type of nuclear material.

The container 1 generally comprises a packaging 2 object of the present invention, inside which there is a storage device 4, also called storage basket. The device 4 is intended to be placed in a housing cavity 6 of the package 2, as schematically shown in FIG. figure 1 on which it is also possible to see the longitudinal axis 8 of this package, coincident with the longitudinal axes of the storage device and the housing cavity.

Throughout the description, the term "longitudinal" should be understood as parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 and the longitudinal direction X of the package, and the term "circumferential" should be understood as orthogonal to the same longitudinal axis 8, and a transverse direction / radial R of the package.

In a conventional manner and as a reminder, it is noted that the storage device 4 comprises a plurality of adjacent housings arranged parallel to the axis 8, the latter being each adapted to receive at least one fuel assembly of square or rectangular section, and preferably only one. The container 1 and this device 4 have been shown in a vertical loading / unloading position of the fuel assemblies, different from the horizontal / recumbent position usually adopted during the transportation of the assemblies.

In general, the package 2 has essentially a bottom 10 on which the device 4 is intended to rest in a vertical position, a cover 12, and a lateral body 14 extending around and along the axis longitudinal 8, this body 14 defining a packaging opening for penetrating the basket into the housing cavity 6, and then being closed by the cover 12.

It is therefore this lateral body 14 which defines the housing cavity 6, with the aid of a lateral inner surface 16 of substantially cylindrical shape and of circular section, and of axis coincident with the axis 8.

The bottom 10, which defines the bottom of the cavity 6 open at the cover 12, can be made in one piece with at least a portion of the lateral body 14, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the figure 2 a part of the lateral body 14, which firstly has two concentric metal ferrules jointly forming an annular space 18 centered on the longitudinal axis of the package (not visible in this figure), can be seen in detail, this space 18 housing a radiological protection device 20 specific to the present invention. The ferrules 22, 24 are for example steel.

This protection device 20 is in particular designed to form a barrier against gamma radiation emitted by the irradiated fuel assemblies housed in the cavity 6. Thus, it is housed between the inner shell 22 whose inner surface corresponds to the inner lateral surface 16 of the cavity 6, and the outer shell 24.

As is visible on the figure 2 in this first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protection device 20 comprises a plurality of first and second radiological protection elements, respectively referenced 30 and 32. Here, the elements are grouped in pairs each comprising a first element 30. and a second element 32 superimposed radially, the pairs being adjacent and in contact in the circumferential direction T, also called the tangential direction. The number of these pairs of elements 30, 32 may be several tens.

The first and second elements 30, 32 are metallic, preferably lead or cast iron blocks or in one of their alloys, this type of material making it possible to provide both a radiological protection against gamma radiation, and a satisfactory thermal conductivity. The first and second elements 30, 32 have a very close shape, while being positioned inversely in the longitudinal direction, as will become clear later.

With regard to each first element 30, its outer surface is supported, and more preferably in direct contact, against the inner surface 24a of the outer shell 24. This contact is preferably surface-based, over the entire surface of the block 30 which is located facing the inner surface 24a. To do this, its outer surface has in cross section a convex circular arc shape of diameter close to or identical to that of the inner surface 24a, and of the same center, even if a straight cut could be envisaged, without leaving the frame of the invention.

Furthermore, its inner surface is spaced from the outer surface 22a of the inner ferrule 22, and in contact with the outer surface of the second element 32 which is superimposed radially thereto.

This second element 32 has its inner surface bearing, and more preferably in direct contact, against the outer surface 22a of the inner ferrule 22. This contact is preferably surface-based, over the entire surface of the block 32 which is facing the surface outside 22a. To do this, its outer surface here has, in cross section, a concave arc shape of diameter close to or identical to that of the outer surface 22a, and the same center, even if a cross section could also be considered.

In this first preferred embodiment, the two elements 30, 32 of each pair have an identical circumferential extent, and are superimposed perfectly in the radial direction. In other words, each of them is only in radial support on the other element of the pair, which also results in the same angular setting of the two elements of identical circumferential extent.

The circumferentially succeeding pairs of elements 30, 32 may also have identical or different circumferential extents.

As mentioned above, the inner surface of each first element 30 and the outer surface of the second element 32 associated with it are in surface contact, at an interface referenced 40 in the figures. This interface is flat or frustoconical, that is to say, in the latter case, it takes the form of an angular portion of a frustoconical surface.

The interface 40 has, in section passing through any longitudinal plane passing through it and integrating the axis 8, the shape of a line segment inclined at an angle A with respect to a longitudinal straight line 42 parallel to the direction X. This angle A is preferably low, for example between 1 and 10 °, as shown in FIG. figure 3 . It is noted that in the same section, the interfaces between the ferrules and their associated element are in turn segments of straight lines parallel to the direction X. Therefore, one of the elements 30, 32 has a section that tapers in a given direction of the longitudinal direction X, while the other element presents a section that tapers analogously in the opposite direction to said given direction.

Moreover, the figure 2 illustrates that in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, each plane interface 40 takes the form of a line segment oriented substantially circumferentially, and more precisely orthogonally to a radial line 41 passing through the middle of this segment, and obviously by the longitudinal axis 8 (not visible on the figure 2 ).

With such a configuration, the heat generated by the assemblies is conducted continuously between the two rings 22, 24, which gives a satisfactory thermal conductivity to the lateral body. As shown schematically by the arrows of the figure 2 the heat is firstly conducted between the inner ferrule 22 and the second element 32 of each pair, then between the first and second elements 30, 32 in contact, and finally between the first elements 30 and the outer ferrule 24.

One of the main advantages of this solution lies in obtaining continuous privileged paths of thermal conduction between the two rings, with elements 30, 32 of simple form, each in contact with only one of these two rings.

Here, each of the elements 30, 32 is therefore maintained solely by contacts in the annular space 18, each of them being pressed against one of the ferrules and against the protective element being superimposed on it radially.

To ensure the manufacture of the packaging, and more particularly for mounting each pair of radiological protection elements, the second element 32 is first placed in the annular space 18, against the outer surface 22a of the ferrule 22. Its tapered portion is then close to the opening of the package, while its other end, the thickest, for example rests on the bottom of the package.

Then, as schematically shows figure 4 , the first element 30 is slid longitudinally between the outer shell 24 and the element 32 already in place, with its tapered end progressively approaching the thick end of this element 32. This sliding is operated until the surface contact at the interface between the two elements 30, 32, and obtaining a surface contact between the first element 30 and the inner surface 24a of the ferrule 24.

Continued longitudinal displacement of the first element 30 with respect to the element 32 leads to increasing the intensity of the contacts, and therefore to reinforcing the thermal conductivity.

It is noted that an inverted configuration could be envisaged, in which the first element would be put in place before the second, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In addition, it is stated that the pairs of elements are preferably mounted successively, although it may be considered to place first the set of the second or all of the first elements of all the couples, over 360 °, then slide all the other elements in the annular space.

On the figure 5 the second preferred embodiment shown there no longer includes radiological protection elements distributed in pairs, but the elements 30, 32 are here arranged in staggered rows. Thus, each first element 30 is in radial abutment against two second elements 32 directly adjacent in the circumferential direction, and vice versa. In this preferred embodiment, wherein the first elements remain in circumferential contact with each other, as the second elements, the circumferential extent of each of the elements 30, 32 is indifferently the same or different.

Finally, figure 6 shows a third preferred embodiment in which there is provided a single first element 30 in the form of ferrule and a single second element 32 also in the form of ferrule, the interface 40 here being frustoconical, centered on the 8 axis (not shown) ferrules.

Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described, solely by way of non-limiting examples.

Claims (10)

Packaging (2) for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials, said package comprising a lateral body (14) extending about a longitudinal axis (8) of said package, said lateral body forming a cavity (6) for accommodating radioactive materials and comprising an inner metal ferrule (22) and an outer metal ferrule (24), the two ferrules being concentric and together forming an annular space (18) within which a radiological protection device is housed ( 20) forming a barrier against gamma radiation,
characterized in that said radiological protection device comprises at least first and second radiological protection metal elements (30, 32) superimposed in a radial direction of the package, said first element (30) bearing against the outer shell (24) and said second member (32) bearing against the inner ferrule (22), and in that said first and second elements (30, 32) are in contact with one another according to an interface (40) taking, in section along any plane passing through said interface and integrating the longitudinal axis (8) , the shape of a line segment inclined with respect to this axis. Packaging according to claim 1,
characterized in that said inclined line segment (40) forms with said longitudinal axis (8) an angle (A) of between 1 and 10 °. Packaging according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said interface (40) between said first and second elements (30, 32) is flat or frustoconical. Packaging according to claim 3,
characterized in that said interface (40) is plane and takes, in any section along a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8), the shape of a line segment orthogonal to a radial line passing through its middle. Packaging according to claim 3,
characterized in that said interface (40) is frustoconical, and coaxial with the inner and outer ferrules. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outer surface of the first element (30) bearing against the outer shell (24) is of cross-section or arc-shaped in diameter identical to that of the inner surface (24a) of the outer shell against which it bears, and in that the inner surface of the second element (32) bearing against the inner ferrule (22) is of cross-section or arc-shaped of circle of diameter identical to that of the outer surface (22a) of the inner shell against which it is supported. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the first and second elements (30, 32) is held only by contacts in the annular space (18). Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first and second elements (30, 32) have the same or different circumferential extent. Packaging according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of first radiological protection metal elements (30) as well as a plurality of second radiological protection metal elements (32), each first element being in position. radial support only on one of said plurality of second elements, and vice versa. A method of manufacturing a package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein first (32) of said first and second elements are first placed in the annular space, and then the other is inserted longitudinally ( 30) of said first and second elements between its associated ferrule and the element (32) already in place.

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