EP2320432B1 - Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials providing a reinforced heat transfer - Google Patents
Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials providing a reinforced heat transfer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2320432B1 EP2320432B1 EP10190306.0A EP10190306A EP2320432B1 EP 2320432 B1 EP2320432 B1 EP 2320432B1 EP 10190306 A EP10190306 A EP 10190306A EP 2320432 B1 EP2320432 B1 EP 2320432B1
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- radiological protection
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- 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
- G21F5/10—Heat-removal systems, e.g. using circulating fluid or cooling fins
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- 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
- G21F3/00—Shielding characterised by its physical form, e.g. granules, or shape of the material
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- 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
- G21F5/008—Containers for fuel elements
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the field of transport and / or storage of radioactive materials, such as nuclear fuel assemblies, fresh or irradiated.
- the invention relates to a package comprising a radiological protection device arranged between two concentric rings, forming a barrier against gamma radiation.
- 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.
- 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.
- each of these elements is inserted between the two ferrules, in a longitudinal insertion direction.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- the invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
- 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 jointly forming an annular space within which a gamma radiation barrier radiation protection device is housed, said radiological protection device comprising at least first and second radiological protective metal elements adjacent in a circumferential direction of the packaging.
- said first element bears against the outer shell and at a distance from said inner shell, while said second element bears against the inner shell and at a distance from said outer shell.
- said first and second elements are in contact with each other in an interface taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through this interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial line crossing it in the middle an acute angle (A).
- 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, by the contact between these parts, then through the interface between the first and second elements, and finally between the first radiological protection element and the outer shell, still due to the expected contact between these parts.
- the particular geometry and layout of the radiological protection elements allow to confer on the lateral body of the packaging a satisfactory thermal conductivity.
- the presence of helium or thermal conduction fins is therefore no longer necessary, which makes it possible to present a packaging of simplified design and manufacture.
- 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 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.
- one and / or the other radiological protection elements can be coated with a heat conductive layer at the contact interface, 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.
- this heat conducting layer solution can also be adopted at the contacts between the radiological protection elements and the ferrules.
- said angle (A) is between 30 and 60 °, and more preferably, is close to 45 °.
- the interfaces thus inclined allow a satisfactory radial plating of the radiological protection elements, when these are circumferentially constrained.
- said interface is plane.
- the package comprises at least one first metal radiological protection element and two second metal radiological protection elements arranged on either side of said first element in the circumferential direction, said first element being in contact with each of the two elements.
- second elements respectively according to two interfaces each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through this interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial line passing through it in the middle an acute angle (A) , the two line segments being respectively supported by lines approximating one of the other going radially inward and intercepting between the two radial lines.
- the first element is solicited by the two second elements, which therefore participate jointly in its plating against the outer shell.
- this first element participates in the plating of the second two elements against the inner shell.
- the package preferably comprises at least one second metal radiological protection element and two first metal radiological protection elements arranged on either side of said second element in the circumferential direction, said second element being in contact with each of the first two elements respectively according to two interfaces each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through said interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial straight line crossing it in the middle an acute angle (A), the two line segments being respectively supported by lines approaching one another radially outwardly and interposed between the two radial lines.
- A acute angle
- first and second elements arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and cooperating in the aforementioned manner, namely that each of them is solicited by its two adjacent elements, which jointly participate in its plating against its associated ferrule.
- each first radiological protection element has a section, in any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, in the overall shape of a trapezium whose large base bears against the outer shell and the small base at a distance from the inner shell
- each second radiological protection element has a section, in any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, of overall shape of trapezium whose large base bears against the inner ferrule and the small base remote from the outer ferrule, and the faces of the first and second elements defining the sides of the trapezoids are in contact two by two, so as to form said interfaces.
- first elements could adopt a form different from that of the second elements, just as different forms could be adopted within the first / second elements.
- other forms envisaged are for example the triangle, or the truncated trapezium at the two corners between the large base and the sides.
- the large base is intercepted, locally in the middle, orthogonally by a radial line.
- each trapezoid is isosceles.
- each trapezium is preferably straight, and even more preferably in the form of a circular arc of diameter identical to that of the ferrule surface that it contacts, in order to increase the contact area between these two elements.
- the ratio of lengths between the large base and the small base is between 3 and 8. The larger the ratio, the more effective the heat transfer.
- each of said plurality of first and second elements is maintained 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 two directly consecutive protection elements.
- the design allows these elements to maintain each other by contact, also using ferrules. This possibility is also offered for protection elements with a shape different from that of the trapezoid.
- the package may then comprise clamping means housed in said annular space, for constraining said plurality of first and second elements in the circumferential direction, and thus cause the plating of these elements radially against their associated ferrule.
- each of said plurality of first and second elements takes the form of a trapezoidal prism.
- each of said plurality of first elements or each of said plurality of second elements is fixedly mounted on its associated shell, for example by pins / nuts or equivalent means, and each of the plurality other elements is maintained only by contacts in the annular space, between its two adjacent elements attached to their ferrule.
- each of said plurality of elements fixedly mounted on its associated shell has a decreasing section in a given direction of the longitudinal direction of the package, and each of the plurality of the other elements has a section increasing in said given direction of the longitudinal direction.
- the intensity of the contacts is therefore dependent on the longitudinal relative position between the elements. Consequently, when one of the longitudinal sliding protection elements is inserted between its two associated fixed protection elements, the contacts between the elements, once established, have an intensity that increases as one continues insertion.
- the subject of the invention is also a method for manufacturing a package as described above, in which each first and second radiological protection metal element is inserted into said annular space, and then a clamping is carried out. to constrain these elements in the circumferential direction.
- 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.
- longitudinal should be understood as parallel to the longitudinal axis 8 and the longitudinal direction X of the package
- circumferential should be understood as orthogonal to the same longitudinal axis 8, as well as to a transverse direction of the package.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG 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 protective 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 ferrule 22 whose surface interior corresponds to the inner lateral surface 16 of the cavity 6, and the outer shell 24.
- the protection device 20 comprises a plurality of first and second radiological protection elements, respectively referenced 30 and 32, which are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction T, also said direction tangential.
- the number of these 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.
- Each of the first and second members 30, 32 has a substantially trapezoidal section, which, in this first preferred embodiment, is preferably constant over its entire length.
- each element here takes the form of a straight prism of axis parallel to the axis 8, trapezoidal base, housed between the two rings 22, 24, and extending longitudinally along the length of the cavity 6.
- the trapezoidal section takes the overall shape of an isosceles trapezium.
- the face which defines the large base is supported, and more preferably in direct contact, against the inner surface 24a of the outer shell 24.
- This contact is preferably surface, over the entire surface of the prism which is opposite the inner surface 24a.
- the large base preferably adopts a convex circular arc shape of diameter that is close to or identical to that of the inner surface 24a, and of the same center, even if a large straight base could be envisaged, without departing from the scope of the invention.
- the small base is spaced from the outer surface 22a of the inner ferrule 22, a substantial clearance can be provided, for example greater than 5 mm, or much more.
- the aforementioned radial clearance represents between 1/30 and 1/10 of the radial thickness of the space 18.
- each second element 32 has its face defining the large base in abutment, and more preferably in direct contact, against the outer surface 22a of the inner shell 22.
- This contact is preferably surface-based, over the entire surface of the prism which is opposite the outer surface 22a.
- the large base here adopts a concave arc shape of diameter close to or identical to that of the outer surface 22a, and the same center, although a large straight base could also be considered.
- the small base is spaced from the inner surface 24a of the inner ferrule 22, a substantial clearance can be provided, for example greater than 5 mm, or much more.
- the aforementioned radial clearance represents more generally between 1/30 and 1/10 of the radial thickness of the space 18.
- the faces of the first and second elements 30, 32 which define the small bases of the trapezoids may have, in cross section, various shapes, for example straight or in arcs of circles.
- each contact interface 40 adopts, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 8 and passing through this interface, the shape of a line segment defining, with a radial straight line 41 passing through it in the middle M, an acute angle A.
- This acute angle A which is therefore between the values of 0 ° and 90 °, excluded from the range, is preferably between 30 and 60 °, and even more preferably of the order of 45 °.
- the direction of inclination of the aforementioned line segment is such that the radial straight line 41 first extends through the first element 30 starting from the segment and going radially outwards, and extends first to through the second element 32 starting from the segment and going radially inwards.
- the line segment 40 extends radially inwardly from its center being circumferentially offset from the radial line 41 in a circumferential offset direction corresponding to that of the first element 30 relative to the second element 32.
- the first leftmost element 30 is circumferentially offset from the second leftmost element 32 in a clockwise direction.
- the radially inner portion of the segment 40 is offset from the radial line 41.
- the two interfaces 40 defined thereby each take the form of an inclined line segment of the acute angle A with respect to its associated radial line 41.
- these two straight segments 40 are respectively supported by two straight lines 40 'approaching one another radially inwardly, and intersecting at a point I situated between the two radial lines 41 , 41 crossing these two same segments in their middle.
- each segment 40 forms part of the line 40 'which supports it.
- the two interfaces 40 defined thereby each take the form of an inclined line segment of the acute angle A with respect to its associated radial line 41.
- these two straight segments 40 are respectively supported by two straight lines 40 'approaching one another radially outwardly, and intercepting at a point I located between the two radial straight lines 41, 41 passing through these two same segments in their middle.
- the ratio of lengths between the large base E and the small base e is between 3 and 8.
- 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.
- the heat is firstly conducted between the inner ferrule 22 and the faces defining the large bases of the second elements 32, then by the contact interfaces 40 between the first and second elements 30, 32, and finally between the faces defining the large bases of the first elements 30 and outer shell 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 shape, each in contact with only one of these two ferrules. This last point implies that they can be manufactured with significant tolerances, decreasing their cost of production.
- each of the elements 30, 32 is thus maintained solely by contacts in the annular space 18, each of them being pressed against one of the ferrules and against its two adjacent protective elements.
- the elements 30, 32 can thus be inserted longitudinally one after the other in the space 18, each element then being placed in contact with the last element previously inserted, at the level of one of its lateral faces defining a trapezium side, its other side face being for it to serve as a contact support for the next element to be inserted.
- the plurality of elements 30, 32 may extend continuously 360 °. Nevertheless, to overcome the possible difficulties of mounting the last radiological protection element, said plurality of elements 30, 32 may extend over substantially less than 360 ° in order to leave an angular sector dedicated to the location of means of protection. circumferential tightening in the space 18.
- a circumferential clamping device 44 is shown schematically on the figure 3 placed between the two end elements of said plurality of elements forming an angular sector close to 360 °.
- This device which may have any design deemed appropriate by those skilled in the art, makes it possible to constrain the elements 30, 32 in the circumferential direction, as shown schematically by the arrows 46.
- This circumferential stressing of said plurality of elements generates, between each pair of any two adjacent elements 30, 32, an increase in the contact force exerted on the faces defining the sides of the trapeziums, this force oriented orthogonally to the interface 40 being represented by the arrows 48 on the figure 3 .
- the force 48 makes it possible to constrain each of the two elements 30, 32 against its ferrule associated, as has been schematized by the arrows 50.
- one of the two elements 30, 32 exerts on the other an effort against the plating against its associated ferrule, and vice versa.
- circumferential clamping devices 44 for example three arranged at 120 °. Whatever the number of these devices 44, two of them directly consecutive in the circumferential direction delimit between them a plurality of elements 30, 32 they force circumferentially. So, in the example shown on the figure 4 three separate sets 52 'are each provided, each forming a plurality of elements 30, 32 slid into the annular space 18, as well as three clamping devices 44 each participating in the circumferential pressurization of two adjacent sets 52'.
- clamping devices 44 In the case where several clamping devices 44 are provided in the annular space 18, at least one of them can then take the form of an element fixed to one of the ferrules 22, 24, of shape identical or similar to that of the elements 30, 32. Although this device does not include means for deploying circumferentially, it still performs a clamping function in combination with each clamping device being directly consecutive, constituting a pressure stop for the plurality of elements with which it is associated.
- the fixed element may furthermore perform an angular indexing function of the elements 30, 32, and also serves as a fixed support capable of holding the first element 30, 32 in position after it has been slipped into the annular space 18, during the manufacture of the package.
- a circumferential clamping device 44 capable of being deployed in this direction in order to constrain said plurality of elements 30, 32. It adopts a general shape that is identical or similar to that of the elements 30, 32 by its generally isosceles trapezoidal cross-sectional shape, but, unlike the latter made preferably in one piece, it is designed from three distinct parts. Indeed, it firstly comprises two lateral portions 50 each having a face intended to form one of the sides of the trapezium, these two faces being intended to contact the two elements placed on either side of this device 44.
- the clamping device 44 takes the form of a first element 30, it then contacts the two second members 32 which are directly adjacent thereto in the circumferential direction, and vice versa.
- These parts 50 are symmetrical and jointly define a face intended to form the small base of the trapezium. They also each comprise a face intended to form a portion of the large base of the trapezium, this large base being completed, in its center, by the base of a clamping element 52 of triangular section, intended to be inserted between the two parts. 50.
- This clamping element 52 is tapered, namely that it has a triangular section which decreases in the longitudinal direction X, as is visible on the Figures 7a and 7b . If the base of this clamping element 52 is provided to complete the large base of the trapezium, its two flat lateral faces are in turn intended to pressurize two flat bearing surfaces 54 at a distance and facing each other, belonging respectively to the two lateral parts 50.
- the inclinations of the lateral faces of the clamping element 52 and the bearing surfaces 54 are provided to simultaneously obtain two surface contacts, preferably planar contacts.
- the device 44 operates as follows. First, the two lateral pieces 50 are inserted into the interior space defined by the ferrules, between two elements 30, 32. Then, it is the clamping element 52 which is slid longitudinally between the two surfaces of support 54, until the contacts contacts plans. Continuing longitudinal displacement of the clamping member 52 by relative to the parts 50 leads to separate them from one another in the circumferential direction T, and thus to constrain in this same direction the plurality of radiological protection elements 30, 32, which then flatten each other against their ferrule associated, because of the relative radial displacement between these elements.
- each first element 30 remains maintained only by contacts in the annular space 18, between its two adjacent second elements 32 fixed to the ferrule 22, and the outer ferrule 24.
- the second elements 32 each have a trapezoidal section decreasing in a given direction of the longitudinal direction X, and that, conversely, the first elements 30 each have a trapezoidal section increasing in given meaning, this being the most visible on the Figures 10a and 10b .
- each first element 30 is slid longitudinally between its two second fixed elements 32 associated and between the two rings 22, 24, to obtaining two planar contacts between the lateral faces of the elements 30, 32 defining the sides of the trapeziums, and obtaining a planar contact between the face of the element 30 defining the large base and the outer shell.
- the side faces of the elements 30, 32, defining the sides of the trapezoids are planar.
- the variation of trapezoidal section in the longitudinal direction is such that the lateral faces of the elements 30 and 32 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis by a value between 1 and 10 °.
- the mere self weight of the element 30 may be sufficient to achieve the desired contact forces.
- the third embodiment shown on the figure 11 differs from the previous ones in that the first elements 30 have a truncated trapezoidal overall cross-section at the two corners between the large base and the sides, and in that the second elements 32 have a cross-section in overall shape of triangle.
- the other characteristics are identical or similar, in particular as regards the inclination of the contact interfaces 40.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
- Packaging Of Annular Or Rod-Shaped Articles, Wearing Apparel, Cassettes, Or The Like (AREA)
- Buffer Packaging (AREA)
Description
La présente invention se rapporte au domaine du transport et/ou entreposage de matières radioactives, tels que des assemblages de combustible nucléaire, frais ou irradiés.The present invention relates to the field of transport and / or storage of radioactive materials, such as nuclear fuel assemblies, fresh or irradiated.
En particulier, l'invention concerne un emballage comprenant un dispositif de protection radiologique agencé entre deux viroles concentriques, formant barrière contre les rayonnements gamma.In particular, the invention relates to a package comprising a radiological protection device arranged between two concentric rings, forming a barrier against gamma radiation.
Classiquement, pour assurer le transport et/ou l'entreposage d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire, il est utilisé des dispositifs de rangement, également appelés « panier » ou « râtelier » de rangement. Ces dispositifs de rangement, habituellement de forme cylindrique et de section sensiblement circulaire, disposent d'une pluralité de logements adjacents chacun apte à recevoir un assemblage de combustible nucléaire. Le dispositif de rangement est destiné à être logé dans la cavité d'un emballage afin de former conjointement avec celui-ci un conteneur pour le transport et/ou entreposage d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire, dans lequel la matière nucléaire est confinée.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.
La cavité précitée est généralement définie par un corps latéral s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale de l'emballage, ce corps latéral comprenant par exemple deux viroles métalliques concentriques formant conjointement un espace annulaire à l'intérieur duquel est logé un dispositif de protection radiologique, en particulier pour former une barrière contre les rayonnements gamma émis par les assemblages de combustible logés dans la cavité.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.
Classiquement, le dispositif de protection radiologique est réalisé à l'aide de plusieurs éléments préfabriqués en plomb ou dans l'un de ses alliages, répartis autour de la cavité, dans l'espace annulaire approprié défini par les deux viroles métalliques.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.
Pour ce faire, chacun de ces éléments est inséré entre les deux viroles, selon une direction d'insertion longitudinale. Ainsi, un jeu de montage doit être prévu pour autoriser une telle insertion, ce jeu ayant pour conséquence une discontinuité de matière dans le corps latéral de l'emballage, selon la direction radiale dans laquelle sont agencés successivement la virole intérieure, les éléments de protection radiologique, et la virole extérieure. La discontinuité de matière observée a pour effet une baisse considérable de la conductivité thermique du corps latéral de l'emballage, impliquant une faible capacité de ce dernier à évacuer la chaleur produite par les assemblages de combustible.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.
Pour minimiser l'impact négatif des discontinuités de matière, les jeux entre les éléments de protection radiologique et les viroles peuvent être réduits en diminuant les tolérances de fabrication, mais cela s'avère néanmoins très coûteux, et ne permet nullement de supprimer les discontinuités de matière.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.
D'autres moyens peuvent être employés pour atténuer la perte d'efficacité thermique, comme celui visant à injecter de l'hélium dans les espaces vides. Cependant, cette technique induit un coût et pose des problèmes sérieux d'exploitation de l'emballage.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.
Une autre solution consiste à séparer la fonction de protection radiologique de celle de conduction thermique, celle-ci étant alors remplie à l'aide d'éléments additionnels du type ailettes reliant les deux viroles, agencées en alternance avec les éléments de protection radiologique dans l'espace annulaire. Néanmoins, cela complique davantage la conception de l'emballage, et nécessite par ailleurs l'utilisation de techniques particulières pour s'assurer que les ailettes se trouvent bien au contact de chacune des deux viroles du corps latéral.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.
Les documents
L'invention a donc pour but de remédier au moins partiellement aux inconvénients mentionnés ci-dessus, relatifs aux réalisations de l'art antérieur.The invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome the disadvantages mentioned above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
Pour ce faire, l'invention a pour objet un emballage pour le transport et/ou l'entreposage de matières radioactives, ledit emballage comprenant un corps latéral s'étendant autour d'un axe longitudinal dudit emballage, ledit corps latéral formant une cavité de logement des matières radioactives et comprenant une virole métallique intérieure et une virole métallique extérieure, les deux viroles étant concentriques et formant conjointement un espace annulaire à l'intérieur duquel est logé un dispositif de protection radiologique formant barrière contre les rayonnements gamma, ledit dispositif de protection radiologique comprenant au moins un premier et un second éléments métalliques de protection radiologique adjacents selon une direction circonférentielle de l'emballage.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 jointly forming an annular space within which a gamma radiation barrier radiation protection device is housed, said radiological protection device comprising at least first and second radiological protective metal elements adjacent in a circumferential direction of the packaging.
Selon l'invention, ledit premier élément est en appui contre la virole extérieure et à distance de ladite virole intérieure, tandis que ledit second élément est en appui contre la virole intérieure et à distance de ladite virole extérieure. De plus, lesdits premier et second éléments sont au contact l'un de l'autre selon une interface prenant, en coupe selon un plan quelconque orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal et traversant cette interface, la forme d'un segment de droite définissant avec une droite radiale le traversant en son milieu un angle aigu (A).According to the invention, said first element bears against the outer shell and at a distance from said inner shell, while said second element bears against the inner shell and at a distance from said outer shell. In addition, said first and second elements are in contact with each other in an interface taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through this interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial line crossing it in the middle an acute angle (A).
L'invention offre ainsi une conception astucieuse permettant aux éléments de protection radiologique de conduire la chaleur de manière satisfaisante entre les deux viroles. En effet, la chaleur est conduite de manière continue tout d'abord entre la virole intérieure et le second élément de protection radiologique, de par le contact entre ces pièces, puis à travers l'interface entre les premier et second éléments, et enfin entre le premier élément de protection radiologique et la virole extérieure, toujours en raison du contact prévu entre ces pièces.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, by the contact between these parts, then through the interface between the first and second elements, and finally between the first radiological protection element and the outer shell, still due to the expected contact between these parts.
Ainsi, la géométrie et la disposition particulières des éléments de protection radiologique permettent de conférer au corps latéral de l'emballage une conductivité thermique satisfaisante. La présence d'hélium ou d'ailettes de conduction thermique n'est donc plus nécessaire, ce qui permet de présenter un emballage de conception et de fabrication simplifiées.Thus, the particular geometry and layout of the radiological protection elements allow to confer on the lateral body of the packaging a satisfactory thermal conductivity. The presence of helium or thermal conduction fins is therefore no longer necessary, which makes it possible to present a packaging of simplified design and manufacture.
En outre, les premier et second éléments de protection radiologique n'étant plus destinés, comme dans l'art antérieur, à s'approcher au plus près de chacune des deux viroles, mais étant chacun seulement au contact de l'une et à distance de l'autre des deux viroles, les tolérances de fabrication de ces éléments peuvent être augmentées. Il en résulte avantageusement une réduction de coût importante.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 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.
Enfin, grâce à l'inclinaison de l'interface mentionnée ci-dessus, l'effort de contact qui est observé entre les deux éléments, au niveau de cette interface, contraint radialement chacun de ces deux éléments contre sa virole associée. Ainsi, avec cette conception, il est possible d'accentuer l'intensité de contact entre les éléments de protection radiologique et leur virole associée, simplement en serrant davantage ces éléments selon la direction circonférentielle, afin d'obtenir un déplacement relatif du premier par rapport au second élément, selon la direction radiale. Ce serrage peut par exemple être opéré, durant la fabrication de l'emballage, à l'aide de moyens de serrage logés dans l'espace annulaire. L'augmentation de l'intensité de ces contacts est avantageuse en ce sens qu'elle assure une meilleure conduction thermique. A cet égard, il est noté que l'un et/ou L'autre des éléments de protection radiologique peuvent être revêtus d'une couche conductrice de chaleur au niveau de l'interface de contact, afin d'améliorer encore davantage la conduction thermique entre ces éléments. Cette couche est de préférence de faible épaisseur, et déformable, par exemple réalisée en plomb ou dans l'un de ses alliages. Naturellement, cette solution de couche conductrice de chaleur peut également être adoptée au niveau des contacts entre les éléments de protection radiologique et les viroles.Finally, thanks to the inclination of the interface mentioned above, the contact force that is observed between the two elements, at this interface, radially constrains each of these two elements against its associated ferrule. Thus, with this design, it is possible to increase the intensity of contact between the radiological protection elements and their associated ferrule, simply by tightening these elements more in the circumferential direction, in order to obtain a relative displacement of the first relative to to the second element, in the radial direction. This clamping can for example be operated during the manufacture of the package, using clamping means housed in the annular space. 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 radiological protection elements can be coated with a heat conductive layer at the contact interface, 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.
De préférence, ledit angle (A) est compris entre 30 et 60°, et, encore plus préférentiellement, est proche de 45°. Les interfaces ainsi inclinées permettent un plaquage radial satisfaisant des éléments de protection radiologique, lorsque ceux-ci sont contraints circonférentiellement.Preferably, said angle (A) is between 30 and 60 °, and more preferably, is close to 45 °. The interfaces thus inclined allow a satisfactory radial plating of the radiological protection elements, when these are circumferentially constrained.
De préférence, ladite interface est plane.Preferably, said interface is plane.
De préférence, l'emballage comprend au moins un premier élément métallique de protection radiologique ainsi que deux seconds éléments métalliques de protection radiologique disposés de part et d'autre dudit premier élément selon la direction circonférentielle, ledit premier élément étant au contact de chacun des deux seconds éléments selon respectivement deux interfaces prenant chacune, en coupe selon un plan quelconque orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal et traversant cette interface, la forme d'un segment de droite définissant avec une droite radiale le traversant en son milieu un angle aigu (A), les deux segments de droites étant respectivement supportés par des droites se rapprochant l'une de l'autre en allant radialement vers l'intérieur et s'interceptant entre les deux droites radiales.Preferably, the package comprises at least one first metal radiological protection element and two second metal radiological protection elements arranged on either side of said first element in the circumferential direction, said first element being in contact with each of the two elements. second elements respectively according to two interfaces each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through this interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial line passing through it in the middle an acute angle (A) , the two line segments being respectively supported by lines approximating one of the other going radially inward and intercepting between the two radial lines.
Dans cette configuration, le premier élément est sollicité par les deux seconds éléments, qui participent donc conjointement à son plaquage contre la virole extérieure. En outre, ce premier élément participe quant à lui au plaquage des deux seconds éléments contre la virole intérieure.In this configuration, the first element is solicited by the two second elements, which therefore participate jointly in its plating against the outer shell. In addition, this first element participates in the plating of the second two elements against the inner shell.
Bien évidemment, un angle d'inclinaison différent peut être adopté pour les deux interfaces, même si les deux angles sont préférentiellement égaux.Of course, a different angle of inclination can be adopted for both interfaces, even if the two angles are preferably equal.
De manière analogue, l'emballage comprend de préférence au moins un second élément métallique de protection radiologique ainsi que deux premiers éléments métalliques de protection radiologique disposés de part et d'autre dudit second élément selon la direction circonférentielle, ledit second élément étant au contact de chacun des deux premiers éléments selon respectivement deux interfaces prenant chacune, en coupe selon un plan quelconque orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal et traversant ladite interface, la forme d'un segment de droite définissant avec une droite radiale le traversant en son milieu un angle aigu (A), les deux segments de droites étant respectivement supportés par des droites se rapprochant l'une de l'autre en allant radialement vers l'extérieur et s'interceptant entre les deux droites radiales.Similarly, the package preferably comprises at least one second metal radiological protection element and two first metal radiological protection elements arranged on either side of said second element in the circumferential direction, said second element being in contact with each of the first two elements respectively according to two interfaces each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and passing through said interface, the shape of a line segment defining with a radial straight line crossing it in the middle an acute angle (A), the two line segments being respectively supported by lines approaching one another radially outwardly and interposed between the two radial lines.
Préférentiellement, il est prévu une pluralité de premiers et de seconds éléments agencés en alternance selon la direction circonférentielle, et coopérant de la manière précitée, à savoir que chacun d'eux est sollicité par ses deux éléments adjacents, qui participent conjointement à son plaquage contre sa virole associée.Preferably, there is provided a plurality of first and second elements arranged alternately in the circumferential direction, and cooperating in the aforementioned manner, namely that each of them is solicited by its two adjacent elements, which jointly participate in its plating against its associated ferrule.
De préférence, chaque premier élément de protection radiologique présente une coupe, selon un plan quelconque orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal, en forme globale de trapèze dont la grande base est en appui contre la virole extérieure et la petite base à distance de la virole intérieure, chaque second élément de protection radiologique présente une coupe, selon un plan quelconque orthogonal à l'axe longitudinal, de forme globale de trapèze dont la grande base est en appui contre la virole intérieure et la petite base à distance de la virole extérieure, et les faces des premiers et seconds éléments définissant les côtés des trapèzes sont en contact deux à deux, de manière à former lesdites interfaces.Preferably, each first radiological protection element has a section, in any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, in the overall shape of a trapezium whose large base bears against the outer shell and the small base at a distance from the inner shell each second radiological protection element has a section, in any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis, of overall shape of trapezium whose large base bears against the inner ferrule and the small base remote from the outer ferrule, and the faces of the first and second elements defining the sides of the trapezoids are in contact two by two, so as to form said interfaces.
Néanmoins, d'autres formes que le trapèze pourraient être envisagées, étant à cet égard précisé que les premiers éléments pourraient adopter une forme différente de celle des seconds éléments, de même que des formes différentes pourraient être adoptées au sein des premiers / seconds éléments. A titre indicatif, d'autres formes envisagées sont par exemple le triangle, ou le trapèze tronqué au niveau des deux angles entre la grande base et les côtés.Nevertheless, other forms than trapezium could be envisaged, being in this respect specified that the first elements could adopt a form different from that of the second elements, just as different forms could be adopted within the first / second elements. As an indication, other forms envisaged are for example the triangle, or the truncated trapezium at the two corners between the large base and the sides.
De préférence, pour chaque trapèze, la grande base est interceptée, localement en son milieu, orthogonalement par une droite radiale.Preferably, for each trapezium, the large base is intercepted, locally in the middle, orthogonally by a radial line.
Pour faciliter la fabrication et obtenir une symétrie dans l'application des efforts de contact, chaque trapèze est isocèle.To facilitate fabrication and achieve symmetry in the application of contact forces, each trapezoid is isosceles.
Il est noté que la grande base de chaque trapèze est de préférence droite, et encore plus préférentiellement en forme d'arc de cercle de diamètre identique à celui de la surface de virole qu'il contacte, afin d'augmenter la surface de contact entre ces deux éléments.It is noted that the large base of each trapezium is preferably straight, and even more preferably in the form of a circular arc of diameter identical to that of the ferrule surface that it contacts, in order to increase the contact area between these two elements.
De préférence, pour chaque trapèze, le rapport de longueurs entre la grande base et la petite base est compris entre 3 et 8. Plus le rapport est grand, plus le transfert thermique est efficace.Preferably, for each trapezium, the ratio of lengths between the large base and the small base is between 3 and 8. The larger the ratio, the more effective the heat transfer.
Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, chacun de ladite pluralité de premiers et seconds éléments est maintenu seulement par contacts dans l'espace annulaire. Cela implique, en particulier, qu'aucun moyen de fixation additionnel n'est rapporté entre un élément de protection et sa virole associée, ni entre deux éléments de protection directement consécutifs. La conception permet donc à ces éléments de se maintenir mutuellement par contact, à l'aide également des viroles. Cette possibilité est également offerte pour des éléments de protection de forme différente de celle du trapèze.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said plurality of first and second elements is maintained 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 two directly consecutive protection elements. The design allows these elements to maintain each other by contact, also using ferrules. This possibility is also offered for protection elements with a shape different from that of the trapezoid.
L'emballage peut alors comprendre des moyens de serrage logés dans ledit espace annulaire, permettant de contraindre ladite pluralité de premiers et seconds éléments selon la direction circonférentielle, et ainsi provoquer le plaquage de ces éléments radialement, contre leur virole associée.The package may then comprise clamping means housed in said annular space, for constraining said plurality of first and second elements in the circumferential direction, and thus cause the plating of these elements radially against their associated ferrule.
De préférence, chacun de ladite pluralité de premiers et seconds éléments prend la forme d'un prisme à base trapézoïdale.Preferably, each of said plurality of first and second elements takes the form of a trapezoidal prism.
Selon un autre mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, chacun de ladite pluralité des premiers éléments ou chacun de ladite pluralité des seconds éléments est monté fixement sur sa virole associée, par exemple par goujons/écrous ou moyens équivalents, et chacun de la pluralité des autres éléments est maintenu seulement par contacts dans l'espace annulaire, entre ses deux éléments adjacents fixés à leur virole.According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, each of said plurality of first elements or each of said plurality of second elements is fixedly mounted on its associated shell, for example by pins / nuts or equivalent means, and each of the plurality other elements is maintained only by contacts in the annular space, between its two adjacent elements attached to their ferrule.
Pour faciliter le montage d'un tel emballage, chacun de ladite pluralité des éléments montés fixement sur sa virole associée présente une section diminuant dans un sens donné de la direction longitudinale de l'emballage, et chacun de la pluralité des autres éléments présente une section augmentant dans ledit sens donné de la direction longitudinale. Ici, l'intensité des contacts est donc dépendante de la position relative longitudinale entre les éléments. Par conséquent, lors de l'insertion de l'un des éléments de protection par glissement longitudinal entre ses deux éléments de protection fixes associés, les contacts entre les éléments, une fois établis, ont une intensité qui augmente à mesure que l'on poursuit l'insertion.To facilitate the mounting of such a package, each of said plurality of elements fixedly mounted on its associated shell has a decreasing section in a given direction of the longitudinal direction of the package, and each of the plurality of the other elements has a section increasing in said given direction of the longitudinal direction. Here, the intensity of the contacts is therefore dependent on the longitudinal relative position between the elements. Consequently, when one of the longitudinal sliding protection elements is inserted between its two associated fixed protection elements, the contacts between the elements, once established, have an intensity that increases as one continues insertion.
Enfin, l'invention a également pour objet un procédé de fabrication d'un emballage tel que décrit ci-dessus, dans lequel on insère chaque premier et second élément métallique de protection radiologique dans ledit espace annulaire, puis on réalise un serrage permettant de contraindre ces éléments selon la direction circonférentielle.Finally, the subject of the invention is also a method for manufacturing a package as described above, in which each first and second radiological protection metal element is inserted into said annular space, and then a clamping is carried out. to constrain these elements in the circumferential direction.
D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront dans la description détaillée non limitative ci-dessous.Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in the detailed non-limiting description below.
Cette description sera faite au regard des dessins annexés parmi lesquels ;
- 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 lafigure 1 ; - la
figure 3 représente une vue similaire à celle de la figure précédente, sur laquelle il a été représenté schématiquement des moyens de serrage circonférentiel des éléments de protection radiologique ; - la
figure 4 représente une vue schématique en coupe transversale montrant un emballage équipé de plusieurs dispositifs de serrage circonférentiel, espacés les uns les autres dans l'espace annulaire entre les viroles du corps latéral d'emballage ; - la
figure 5 représente une vue partielle en perspective montrant un exemple de réalisation d'un dispositif de serrage circonférentiel ; - la
figure 6 représente une vue éclatée de celle montrée sur la figure précédente ; - les
figures 7a et 7b représentent des vues en coupe prises selon les plans P1 et P2 de lafigure 5 , respectivement ; - la
figure 8 représente une vue en perspective d'un conteneur pour le transport et/ou entreposage d'assemblages de combustible nucléaire, comprenant un emballage selon un second mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention ; - la
figure 9 représente une vue en perspective d'un premier élément de protection radiologique et celle d'un second élément de protection radiologique équipant l'emballage montré sur la figure précédente ; - les
figures 10a et 10b représentent des vues en coupe prises selon les plans P3 et P4 de lafigure 8 , respectivement ; et - la
figure 11 représente une vue similaire à celle de lafigure 2 , avec l'emballage se présentant sous la forme d'un troisième mode de réalisation préféré de la présente invention.
- 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 thefigure 1 ; - the
figure 3 is a view similar to that of the previous figure, in which there is shown schematically circumferential clamping means of the radiological protection elements; - the
figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a package equipped with a plurality of circumferential clamping devices, spaced apart from one another in the annular space between the shells of the lateral packaging body; - the
figure 5 is a partial perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a circumferential clamping device; - the
figure 6 represents an exploded view of that shown in the previous figure; - the
Figures 7a and 7b represent sectional views taken according to plans P1 and P2 of thefigure 5 , respectively ; - the
figure 8 is a perspective view of a container for transporting and / or storing nuclear fuel assemblies, comprising a package according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; - the
figure 9 represents a perspective view of a first radiological protection element and that of a second radiological protection element fitted to the packaging shown in the previous figure; - the
Figures 10a and 10b represent sectional views taken according to plans P3 and P4 of thefigure 8 , respectively ; and - the
figure 11 represents a view similar to that of thefigure 2 with the package being in the form of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Tout d'abord en référence à la
Le conteneur 1 comprend globalement un emballage 2 objet de la présente invention, à l'intérieur duquel se trouve un dispositif de rangement 4, également dénommé panier de rangement. Le dispositif 4 est prévu pour être placé dans une cavité de logement 6 de l'emballage 2, comme le montre schématiquement la
Dans toute la description, le terme « longitudinal » doit être compris comme parallèle à l'axe longitudinal 8 et à la direction longitudinale X de l'emballage, et le terme « circonférentiel » doit être compris comme orthogonal à ce même axe longitudinal 8, ainsi qu'à une direction transversale de l'emballage.Throughout the description, the term "longitudinal" should be understood as parallel to the
De manière classique et à titre de rappel, il est noté que le dispositif de rangement 4 comprend une pluralité de logements adjacents disposés parallèlement à l'axe 8, ces derniers étant chacun apte à recevoir au moins un assemblage de combustible de section carrée ou rectangulaire, et de préférence un seul. Le conteneur 1 et ce dispositif 4 ont été montrés dans une position verticale de chargement/déchargement des assemblages de combustible, différente de la position horizontale/couchée habituellement adoptée durant le transport des assemblages.In a conventional manner and as a reminder, it is noted that the
De façon générale, l'emballage 2 dispose essentiellement d'un fond 10 sur lequel le dispositif 4 est destiné à reposer en position verticale, d'un couvercle 12, et d'un corps latéral 14 s'étendant autour et selon l'axe longitudinal 8, ce corps 14 définissant une ouverture d'emballage destinée à faire pénétrer le panier dans la cavité de logement 6, et à être ensuite obturée par le couvercle 12.In general, the
C'est donc ce corps latéral 14 qui définit la cavité de logement 6, à l'aide d'une surface intérieure latérale 16 de forme sensiblement cylindrique et de section circulaire, et d'axe confondu avec l'axe 8.It is therefore this
Le fond 10, qui définit le fond de la cavité 6 ouverte au niveau du couvercle 12, peut être réalisé d'une seule pièce avec une partie au moins du corps latéral 14, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.The bottom 10, which defines the bottom of the
En référence à présent à la
Ce dispositif de protection 20 est en particulier conçu pour former une barrière contre les rayonnements gamma émis par les assemblages de combustible irradié logés dans la cavité 6. Ainsi, il est logé entre la virole interne 22 dont la surface intérieure correspond à la surface intérieure latérale 16 de la cavité 6, et la virole externe 24.This
Comme cela est visible sur la
Les premiers et seconds éléments 30, 32 sont métalliques, de préférence des blocs en plomb ou en fonte ou dans l'un de leurs alliages, ce type de matière permettant d'assurer à la fois une protection radiologique contre les rayonnements gamma, et une conductivité thermique satisfaisante.The first and
Chacun des premiers et seconds éléments 30, 32 présente une section sensiblement trapézoïdale, qui, dans ce premier mode de réalisation préféré, est préférentiellement constante sur toute sa longueur. En effet, chaque élément prend ici la forme d'un prisme droit d'axe parallèle à l'axe 8, à base trapézoïdale, logé entre les deux viroles 22, 24, et s'étendant longitudinalement sur la longueur de la cavité 6. De plus, la section trapézoïdale prend la forme globale d'un trapèze isocèle.Each of the first and
Pour ce qui concerne chaque premier élément 30, la face qui définit la grande base est en appui, et plus préférentiellement en contact direct, contre la surface intérieure 24a de la virole extérieure 24. Ce contact est préférentiellement surfacique, sur toute la surface du prisme qui se trouve en regard de la surface intérieure 24a. Pour ce faire, la grande base adopte préférentiellement une forme d'arc de cercle convexe de diamètre proche ou identique à celui de la surface intérieure 24a, et de même centre, même si une grande base droite pourrait être envisagée, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.With regard to each
Par ailleurs, la petite base est à distance de la surface extérieure 22a de la virole intérieure 22, un jeu conséquent pouvant être prévu, par exemple supérieur à 5 mm, voire beaucoup plus encore. De façon générale, le jeu radial précité représente entre 1/30 et 1/10 de l'épaisseur radiale de l'espace 18.Furthermore, the small base is spaced from the
A l'inverse, chaque second élément 32 a sa face définissant la grande base en appui, et plus préférentiellement en contact direct, contre la surface extérieure 22a de la virole intérieure 22. Ce contact est préférentiellement surfacique, sur toute la surface du prisme qui se trouve en regard de la surface extérieure 22a. Pour ce faire, la grande base adopte ici une forme d'arc de cercle concave de diamètre proche ou identique à celui de la surface extérieure 22a, et de même centre, même si une grande base droite pourrait également être envisagée.Conversely, each
Par ailleurs, la petite base est à distance de la surface intérieure 24a de la virole intérieure 22, un jeu conséquent pouvant être prévu, par exemple supérieur à 5 mm, voire beaucoup plus encore. Ici aussi, le jeu radial précité représente plus généralement entre 1/30 et 1/10 de l'épaisseur radiale de l'espace 18.Furthermore, the small base is spaced from the inner surface 24a of the
Les faces des premiers et seconds élements 30, 32 qui définissent les petites bases des trapèzes peuvent présenter, en section transversale, des formes diverses, par exemple droites ou encore en arcs de cercles.The faces of the first and
Les faces des blocs 30, 32 qui définissent les côtés des trapèzes sont en contact deux à deux, en formant des interfaces 40 préférentiellement planes. Plus précisément, comme montré sur la
Au niveau de chaque premier élément 30, les deux interfaces 40 définies par celui-ci prennent donc chacune la forme d'un segment de droite incliné de l'angle aigu A par rapport à sa droite radiale associée 41. De plus, du fait de la section trapézoïdale, ces deux segments de droite 40 sont respectivement supportés par deux droites 40' se rapprochant l'une de l'autre en allant radialement vers l'intérieur, et s'interceptant en un point I situé entre les deux droites radiales 41, 41 traversant ces deux mêmes segments en leur milieu. En d'autres termes, chaque segment 40 forme une partie de la droite 40' qui le supporte. De manière analogue, au niveau de chaque second élément 32, les deux interfaces 40 définies par celui-ci prennent donc chacune la forme d'un segment de droite incliné de l'angle aigu A par rapport à sa droite radiale associée 41. De plus, également en raison de la section trapézoïdale, ces deux segments de droite 40 sont respectivement supportés par deux droites 40' se rapprochant l'une de l'autre en allant radialement vers l'extérieur, et s'interceptant en un point I situé entre les deux droites radiales 41, 41 traversant ces deux mêmes segments en leur milieu.At each
Par ailleurs, pour chaque élément 30, 32, le rapport de longueurs entre la grande base E et la petite base e est compris entre 3 et 8.Moreover, for each
Avec une telle configuration, la chaleur dégagée par les assemblages est conduite de manière continue entre les deux viroles 22, 24, ce qui confère une conductivité thermique satisfaisante au corps latéral. Comme montré schématiquement par les flèches de la
Dans le premier mode de réalisation préféré, chacun des éléments 30, 32 est donc maintenu uniquement par contacts dans l'espace annulaire 18, chacun d'eux étant plaqué contre l'une des viroles et contre ses deux éléments de protection adjacents.In the first preferred embodiment, each of the
Les éléments 30, 32 peuvent ainsi être insérés longitudinalement les uns après les autres dans l'espace 18, chaque élément étant ensuite placé au contact du dernier élément précédemment inséré, au niveau de l'une de ses faces latérales définissant un côté de trapèze, son autre face latérale étant quant à elle destinée à servir de support de contact pour l'élément suivant à insérer.The
La pluralité d'éléments 30, 32 peut s'étendre de façon continue sur 360°. Néanmoins, pour s'affranchir des éventuelles difficultés de montage du dernier élément de protection radiologique, ladite pluralité d'éléments 30, 32 peut s'étendre sur sensiblement moins de 360° afin de laisser un secteur angulaire dédié à l'emplacement de moyens de serrage circonférentiel dans l'espace 18.The plurality of
A cet égard, un dispositif de serrage circonférentiel 44 est montré schématiquement sur la
Grâce à son inclinaison par rapport à la direction circonférentielle T, l'effort 48 permet de contraindre chacun des deux éléments 30, 32 contre sa virole associée, comme cela a été schématisé par les flèches 50. En d'autres termes, l'un des deux éléments 30, 32 exerce sur l'autre un effort le plaquant contre sa virole associée, et réciproquement. Ainsi, il est possible d'accentuer l'intensité de contact entre les éléments 30, 32 et leur virole associée en réalisant un serrage circonférentiel à l'aide du dispositif 44, ce serrage engendrant bien entendu également une augmentation de l'intensité de contact entre les faces latérales des éléments 30, 32 définissant les côtés des trapèzes. L'augmentation de l'intensité de ces contacts est avantageuse en ce sens qu'elle assure une meilleure conduction thermique.Thanks to its inclination with respect to the circumferential direction T, the
Dans une autre configuration envisagée, montrée uniquement schématiquement sur la
Dans le cas où plusieurs dispositifs de serrage 44 sont prévus dans l'espace annulaire 18, au moins l'un d'eux peut alors prendre la forme d'un élément fixé à l'une des viroles 22, 24, de forme identique ou similaire à celle des éléments 30, 32. Même si ce dispositif ne comporte pas de moyens permettant de se déployer circonférentiellement, il remplit tout de même une fonction de serrage en combinaison avec chaque dispositif de serrage lui étant directement consécutif, en constituant une butée de pression pour la pluralité d'éléments à laquelle il est associé.In the case where
Dans une telle configuration, l'élément fixé peut par ailleurs remplir une fonction d'indexation angulaire des éléments 30, 32, et sert aussi de support fixe capable de maintenir en position le premier élément 30, 32 après qu'il ait été glissé dans l'espace annulaire 18, lors de la fabrication de l'emballage.In such a configuration, the fixed element may furthermore perform an angular indexing function of the
En référence aux
De plus, les inclinaisons des faces latérales de l'élément de serrage 52 et des surfaces d'appui 54 sont prévues pour obtenir simultanément deux contacts surfaciques, de préférence des contacts plans.In addition, the inclinations of the lateral faces of the clamping
Le dispositif 44 fonctionne de la manière suivante. Tout d'abord, les deux pièces latérales 50 sont insérées dans l'espace intérieur défini par les viroles, entre deux éléments 30, 32. Ensuite, c'est l'élément de serrage 52 qui est glissé longitudinalement entre les deux surfaces d'appui 54, jusqu'à l'obtention des contacts plans. La poursuite du déplacement longitudinal de l'élément de serrage 52 par rapport aux pièces 50 conduit à écarter celles-ci l'une de l'autre selon la direction circonférentielle T, et donc à contraindre dans cette même direction la pluralité d'éléments de protection radiologique 30, 32, qui se plaquent ensuite mutuellement contre leur virole associée, du fait du déplacement relatif radial entre ces éléments.The
En référence aux
Il se distingue du premier tout d'abord par le fait que les seconds éléments 32 ne sont pas uniquement au contact de la virole intérieure 22, mais montés fixement sur celle-ci, par exemple par des goujons solidaires de la virole et des écrous (non représentés), ou par tout autre moyen, comme le soudage. En revanche, chaque premier élément 30 reste maintenu seulement par contacts dans l'espace annulaire 18, entre ses deux seconds éléments adjacents 32 fixés à la virole 22, et la virole extérieure 24.It is distinguished from the first first by the fact that the
En outre, une autre différence réside dans le fait que les seconds éléments 32 présentent chacun une section trapézoïdale diminuant dans un sens donné de la direction longitudinale X, et que, à l'inverse, les premiers éléments 30 présentent chacun une section trapézoïdale augmentant dans ledit sens donné, cela étant le mieux visible sur les
Pour assurer la fabrication de l'emballage, chaque premier élément 30 est donc glissé longitudinalement entre ses deux seconds éléments fixes 32 associés et entre les deux viroles 22, 24, jusqu'à l'obtention de deux contacts plans entre les faces latérales des éléments 30, 32 définissant les côtés des trapèzes, et l'obtention d'un contact plan entre la face de l'élément 30 définissant la grande base et la virole extérieure. Tout comme dans le premier mode de réalisation préféré, les faces latérales des éléments 30, 32, définissant les côtés des trapèzes, sont planes.To ensure the manufacture of the package, each
La poursuite du déplacement longitudinal du premier élément 30 par rapport aux deux éléments 32 conduit à accentuer l'intensité des contacts, et donc à renforcer la conductivité thermique.Continued longitudinal displacement of the
Pour assurer des efforts de contact satisfaisants, d'une part, et obtenir un effet de coincement de l'élément 30 entre les éléments 32 et la virole extérieure, d'autre part, la variation de section trapézoïdale selon la direction longitudinale est telle que les faces latérales des éléments 30 et 32 sont inclinées par rapport à l'axe longitudinal d'une valeur comprise entre 1 et 10°. Par ailleurs, il est noté que le seul poids propre de l'élément 30 peut suffire à obtenir les efforts de contact souhaités.To ensure satisfactory contact forces, on the one hand, and to obtain a wedging effect of the
Enfin, le troisième mode de réalisation montré sur la
Bien entendu, diverses modifications peuvent être apportées par l'homme du métier à l'invention qui vient d'être décrite, uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs.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 (17)
- Canister (2) for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, said canister comprising a lateral body (14) extending around a longitudinal axis (8) of said canister, said lateral body forming a cavity (6) for housing radioactive materials and comprising an inner metal shell (22) and an outer metal shell (24), the two shells being concentric and forming jointly an annular space (18) inside which is housed a radiological protection device (20) forming a barrier against gamma radiation, said radiological protection device comprising at least one first and one second metal radiological protection components (30, 32) adjacent along a circumferential direction of the canister,
characterised in that
said first component (30) is supported against the outer shell (24) and at a distance from said inner shell (22), whereas said second component (32) is supported against the inner shell (22) and at a distance from said outer shell (24), and
in that said first and second components (30, 32) are in contact with each other along an interface (40) taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8) and crossing this interface, the form of a straight line segment defining with a radial straight line crossing it at its centre an acute angle (A). - Canister according to claim 1, characterised in that said angle (A) is between 30 and 60°.
- Canister according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that said interface (40) is flat.
- Canister according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one first metal radiological protection component (30) as well as two second metal radiological protection components (32) arranged on either side of said first component (30) along the circumferential direction, said first component (30) being in contact with each of the two second components (32) along respectively two interfaces (40) each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8) and crossing this interface, the shape of a straight line segment defining with a radial straight line crossing it at its centre an acute angle (A), the two straight line segments being respectively supported by two straight lines coming closer to each other going radially towards the interior and intercepting between the two radial straight lines.
- Canister according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one second metal radiological protection component (32) as well as two first metal radiological protection components (30) arranged on either side of said second component (32) along the circumferential direction, said second component (32) being in contact with each of the two first components (30) along respectively two interfaces (40) each taking, in section along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8) and crossing this interface, the shape of a straight line segment defining with a radial straight line crossing it at its centre an acute angle, the two straight line segments being respectively supported by two straight lines coming closer to each other going radially towards the exterior and intercepting between the two radial straight lines.
- Canister according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of first and second metal radiological protection components (30, 32), laid out alternately along the circumferential direction.
- Canister according to claim 6, characterised in that
each first radiological protection component (30) has a section, along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8), of overall trapezium shape, the large base of which is supported against the outer shell (24) and the small base at a distance from the inner shell (22),
in that each second radiological protection component (32) has a section, along any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8), of overall trapezium shape, the large base of which is supported against the inner shell (22) and the small base at a distance from the outer shell (24), and
in that the faces of the first and second components (30, 32) defining the sides of trapeziums are in two by two contact, so as to form said interfaces (40). - Canister according to claim 7, characterised in that for each trapezium, the large base is intercepted, locally at its centre, orthogonally by a radial straight line.
- Canister according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that each trapezium is isosceles.
- Canister according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterised in that the large base of each trapezium is straight or arc of circle shape of diameter identical to that of the shell surface that it contacts.
- Canister according to any of claims 7 to 10, characterised in that for each trapezium, the ratio of lengths between the large base and the small base is between 3 and 8.
- Canister according to any of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that each of said plurality of first and second components (30, 32) is maintained only by contacts in the annular space (18).
- Canister according to claim 12, characterised in that it comprises tightening means (44) housed in said annular space (18), making it possible to constrain said plurality of first and second components along the circumferential direction.
- Canister according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that each of said plurality of first and second components (30, 32) takes the form of a prism with trapezoidal base.
- Canister according to any of claims 6 to 11, characterised in that each of said plurality of first components (30) or each of said plurality of second components (32) is assembled fixedly to its associated shell (24, 22), and in that each of the plurality of other components is maintained only by contacts in the annular space (18).
- Canister according to claim 15, characterised in that each of the plurality of components (32) assembled fixedly to its associated shell (22) has a section reducing in a given direction of the longitudinal direction (X) of the canister, and in that each of the plurality of other components (32) has a section increasing in said given direction of the longitudinal direction.
- Method for producing a canister according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein each first and second metal radiological protection component are inserted into said annular space, then a tightening is carried out making it possible to constrain these components along the circumferential direction.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0957929A FR2952467B1 (en) | 2009-11-10 | 2009-11-10 | PACKAGING FOR THE TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS CONFERRING ENHANCED THERMAL TRANSFER |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2320432A1 EP2320432A1 (en) | 2011-05-11 |
EP2320432B1 true EP2320432B1 (en) | 2013-10-16 |
Family
ID=42244343
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10190306.0A Not-in-force EP2320432B1 (en) | 2009-11-10 | 2010-11-08 | Packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials providing a reinforced heat transfer |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US8716686B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2320432B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2011102802A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20110052488A (en) |
ES (1) | ES2441225T3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2952467B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2961942B1 (en) * | 2010-06-25 | 2014-04-11 | Tn Int | CONTAINER FOR THE TRANSPORT AND / OR STORAGE OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS |
FR2988898A1 (en) * | 2012-03-28 | 2013-10-04 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | METHOD AND MOBILE DEVICE FOR REDUCING THERMAL RESISTANCE BETWEEN TWO SOLIDS |
KR101559300B1 (en) | 2013-12-03 | 2015-11-20 | 한국원자력환경공단 | A transfer cask for canister of spent nucler fuel |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2181540B1 (en) * | 1972-04-27 | 1974-12-20 | Commissariat Energie Atomique | |
JP3342994B2 (en) * | 1995-08-04 | 2002-11-11 | 株式会社神戸製鋼所 | Container for transport and storage of radioactive materials |
FR2776118B1 (en) * | 1998-03-13 | 2000-06-09 | Transnucleaire | RADIATION PROTECTION DEVICE FOR CONTAINER FOR TRANSPORTING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL |
KR100466066B1 (en) * | 2000-04-25 | 2005-01-13 | 미츠비시 쥬고교 가부시키가이샤 | Hot dilation forming-use metal billet |
JP2002098797A (en) * | 2000-09-26 | 2002-04-05 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Canister and metallic storage vessel provided with it |
JP4291588B2 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2009-07-08 | 株式会社神戸製鋼所 | Concrete cask and manufacturing method thereof |
JP2007139677A (en) * | 2005-11-22 | 2007-06-07 | Hitachi Ltd | Radioactive material storage container, and manufacturing method therefor |
US7973298B2 (en) * | 2007-10-10 | 2011-07-05 | Kobe Steel, Ltd. | Transport/storage cask for radioactive material |
JP2008076408A (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-03 | Mitsubishi Heavy Ind Ltd | Radioactive material container |
-
2009
- 2009-11-10 FR FR0957929A patent/FR2952467B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2010
- 2010-11-05 US US12/940,666 patent/US8716686B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2010-11-08 EP EP10190306.0A patent/EP2320432B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2010-11-08 ES ES10190306.0T patent/ES2441225T3/en active Active
- 2010-11-08 JP JP2010249491A patent/JP2011102802A/en not_active Ceased
- 2010-11-09 KR KR1020100110965A patent/KR20110052488A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2952467B1 (en) | 2011-12-23 |
US20110272603A1 (en) | 2011-11-10 |
FR2952467A1 (en) | 2011-05-13 |
JP2011102802A (en) | 2011-05-26 |
ES2441225T3 (en) | 2014-02-03 |
EP2320432A1 (en) | 2011-05-11 |
KR20110052488A (en) | 2011-05-18 |
US8716686B2 (en) | 2014-05-06 |
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