EP3174066B1 - Method and device for relieving pressure of and inertisation of refuse containers for radioactive waste - Google Patents

Method and device for relieving pressure of and inertisation of refuse containers for radioactive waste Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3174066B1
EP3174066B1 EP15196804.7A EP15196804A EP3174066B1 EP 3174066 B1 EP3174066 B1 EP 3174066B1 EP 15196804 A EP15196804 A EP 15196804A EP 3174066 B1 EP3174066 B1 EP 3174066B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
adapter
container
pressure
gas
interior
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP15196804.7A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP3174066A1 (en
Inventor
Martin Hoffmann
Ingmar Koischwitz
Torsten Kahl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklearservice mbH
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GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklearservice mbH
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Publication date
Application filed by GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklearservice mbH filed Critical GNS Gesellschaft fuer Nuklearservice mbH
Priority to EP15196804.7A priority Critical patent/EP3174066B1/en
Priority to KR1020160156262A priority patent/KR20170062388A/en
Priority to CN201611060028.XA priority patent/CN106847355A/en
Priority to JP2016228817A priority patent/JP2017096955A/en
Priority to TW105138963A priority patent/TW201729219A/en
Publication of EP3174066A1 publication Critical patent/EP3174066A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3174066B1 publication Critical patent/EP3174066B1/en
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/14—Devices for handling containers or shipping-casks, e.g. transporting devices loading and unloading, filling of containers
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/12—Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D90/00—Component parts, details or accessories for large containers
    • B65D90/22—Safety features
    • B65D90/32—Arrangements for preventing, or minimising the effect of, excessive or insufficient pressure
    • 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
    • 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
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/28—Treating solids
    • G21F9/34—Disposal of solid waste
    • G21F9/36—Disposal of solid waste by packaging; by baling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, in particular for low and medium active radioactive waste. Furthermore, the invention relates to an adapter device for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste.
  • Waste containers for radioactive waste are usually made of metallic materials. They have a container bottom, an adjoining container casing and at least one container lid. Such waste containers have to meet certain safety requirements and must be made sufficiently resistant to pressure in addition to ensuring adequate shielding.
  • waste container instead of the term waste container also briefly the term container is used.
  • the waste containers are designed as transport and / or storage containers.
  • the invention is based on the finding that due to the properties of the radioactive waste or by combining different radioactive waste and possibly water processes can result that cause a change in the gas atmosphere in the container interior.
  • radiolysis for example, in the container interior, an overpressure can be built up.
  • the build-up of pressure arises in particular by the formation of hydrogen.
  • a negative pressure can also be created in the interior of the container, for example due to the consumption of oxygen or due to the temperature difference between the warm waste container after conditioning and closing and the colder waste container during storage.
  • the invention is the technical problem of providing a method of the type mentioned above, with a simple, effective and reliable inerting and pressure relief of the waste container is possible.
  • the invention is further based on the technical problem of specifying a corresponding device for pressure relief and inerting.
  • the invention teaches a method for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, especially for low- and intermediate-level waste, wherein an adapter with an adapter internal volume to the container - in particular to the container lid - is connected, in which case the adapter or the adapter inner volume is filled with an inert gas under overpressure, wherein subsequently a connection between the container interior and the adapter inner volume is made, so that according to the pressure difference between the pressure in the container interior and the overpressure in the adapter internal volume a mixing pressure in the adapter inner volume and in Thereafter, the mixing pressure in the container interior and in the adapter internal volume is expanded - in particular to ambient pressure is released - and wherein subsequently in the container interior, a negative pressure is generated and the gas removed from the container interior gas or gas mixture is replaced by an inert gas.
  • Nitrogen is preferably used as the inert gas. In principle, a noble gas could also be used as an inert gas.
  • the core of the invention is the adapter according to the invention with the adapter internal volume.
  • This adapter is - conveniently on the container top - connected to the container lid and preferably directly to the container lid. It is within the scope of the invention that the adapter is fixed with at least one fixing element on the container lid. It is also within the scope of the invention that in the pressure relief and inerting of the waste container or the container interior according to the invention, all gas flows listed above are performed via the adapter internal volume.
  • the adapter ensures that all processes or processes of the method according to the invention take place under defined conditions decoupled from the ambient conditions.
  • the invention is based on the finding that a very simple and functionally reliable pressure relief and inerting of the container interior is possible via the adapter according to the invention with its adapter internal volume. Explosive gas mixtures - especially gas mixtures with hydrogen and oxygen - can be safely and safely released into the environment or disposed of. These measures are possible in the context of the method according to the invention with surprisingly little effort.
  • Adapter device means here and below in particular the device from the adapter and at least one line connected thereto, preferably a plurality of lines and / or components connected thereto. After the at least substantial removal of the air or of the atmospheric oxygen, it is recommended to generate a negative pressure or a vacuum in the adapter device or in the adapter internal volume and the lines and / or components connected thereto.
  • a filling of the adapter device or of the inner volume of the adapter and of the lines and / or components connected thereto is subsequently carried out with inert gas.
  • the generation of the negative pressure / vacuum and the subsequent filling with inert gas is expediently carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the adapter device is less than 1% by volume and is preferably significantly less than 1% by volume.
  • a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that - in particular before the above-described displacement of the air or the atmospheric oxygen by inert gas - a leak test of the adapter device is performed.
  • subregions of the adapter device are advantageously evacuated-advantageously subregions of the adapter device that are separated by shut-off elements-and subsequently the pressure rise in these subregions is measured and, in particular, measured over a defined period of time. It is within the scope of the invention that the Subsections are evacuated in succession or that in the sub-areas successively a negative pressure is generated. If the measured pressure increase is below a defined limit value, the subarea or the entirety of the subregions can be designated as dense.
  • the above-described leak test is expediently also carried out on the adapter (as part of the adapter device) and on its interface to the container.
  • the adapter inner volume is inventively filled with inert gas under pressure.
  • the filling of the adapter internal volume with the inert gas under overpressure is recommended, with the proviso that the overpressure in the adapter internal volume is 1.5 to 10 bar, preferably 2 to 7 bar.
  • the adapter is fixed directly on the container lid of the container.
  • the connection between the adapter inner volume and the container interior is made via at least one small lid arranged in the container lid.
  • a small lid is present in the container lid, which can be opened by means of the adapter or by means of a built-in adapter lifting device.
  • the at least one small lid with the lifting device of the adapter is lifted from the container lid of the container.
  • the connection between the adapter internal volume and the container interior is produced via at least one opening or via at least one opening channel, preferably via at least two opening channels and particularly preferably via two opening channels.
  • connection between adapter inner volume and container interior is made after the adapter or the adapter inner volume has been filled with an inert gas under pressure.
  • the mixing pressure established after connecting the container interior and the adapter internal volume is smaller than the previously existing overpressure in the adapter internal volume filled with the inert gas.
  • the mixing pressure is less than 10 bar, preferably less than 7 bar and very preferably less than 5 bar.
  • an additional pressure reduction can be initiated and admittedly be initiated by means of a bypass device ,
  • a defined upper limit for the pressure or mixing pressure is set.
  • the mixing pressure in the interior of the container and the internal volume of the adapter is then released, in particular reduced to ambient pressure, and subsequently a negative pressure is generated in the interior of the container, the gas or gas mixture present in the interior of the container being removed.
  • this withdrawn from the container interior or removed gas / gas mixture is first diluted with a diluent gas - preferably with air as a diluent gas - and dissipated in dilute form, in particular to the environment or to the atmosphere.
  • the gas or gas mixture is withdrawn via the adapter internal volume from the container interior.
  • the dilution of the gas or gas mixture is carried out with the proviso that combustible or explosive gas / gas mixture after dilution is well below the explosion limit. This dilution ensures that any downstream systems are not exposed to an explosive atmosphere.
  • the gas or gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior is replaced by inert gas.
  • This substitution by inert gas is recommended with the proviso that the remaining oxygen content in the container interior is less than 1 vol .-%, preferably less than 0.8 vol .-% and very preferably less than 0.5 vol .-%.
  • the container interior filled with inert gas preferably nitrogen
  • inert gas preferably nitrogen
  • the container interior therefore prevails after replacement by inert gas or after filling with inert gas ambient pressure.
  • the adapter is expediently separated again from the container or from the container lid.
  • the invention further teaches an adapter device for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, especially for low- and intermediate-level waste, wherein an adapter is provided with adapter internal volume for receiving a gas volume, wherein the adapter or the adapter inner volume is connected to at least one pump or vacuum pump for removing gases or for generating a negative pressure and wherein the adapter or the adapter internal volume is further connected to at least one inert gas source for filling the adapter inner volume and / or the container interior with inert gas.
  • the adapter internal volume of the adapter is according to a preferred embodiment of the invention 4 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% and very preferably 6 to 10% of the volume of the container interior. In that regard, it is recommended that the volume of the container interior is larger or significantly larger than the adapter internal volume. It is recommended that the adapter or the adapter internal volume is connected to the pump via at least one vacuum line and / or is connected to the inert gas source via at least one inert gas line. According to a recommended embodiment of the invention, the adapter device in addition to the adapter, the pump, the inert gas source and preferably the at least one vacuum line and / or the at least one inert gas line.
  • a very preferred embodiment of the adapter device according to the invention is characterized in that the adapter is arranged for direct arrangement or fixation on or on the container lid arrangement of the container. Conveniently, the adapter is fixed directly on the container lid of the container. It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one small lid in the container lid is covered by the adapter or by the internal volume of the adapter. Conveniently, the at least one small lid is lifted by means of a lifting device integrated in the adapter and thus opened. The small lid is recommended to be moved or manipulated within the adapter's internal volume of the adapter.
  • a particularly recommended embodiment of the adapter device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one mixing device - preferably in the form of at least one mixing nozzle - for the dilution or for mixing the withdrawn from the container interior gas or gas mixture with a diluent gas - preferred with air - is provided.
  • the mixing device - preferably in the mixing nozzle - a large volume of the diluent gas is mixed with a small volume of the withdrawn gas or gas mixture.
  • any combustible or explosive gas / gas mixture can be diluted with the proviso that the gas mixture discharged from the mixing device or from the mixing nozzle is no longer explosive and thus without hesitation to the environment or can be released to the atmosphere.
  • the invention is also an adapter - in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention and / or for the adapter device according to the invention -, wherein the adapter has an adapter cover and an adjoining the adapter cover and peripheral adapter wall, wherein the adapter cover and adapter wall include the adapter inner volume or limit and wherein the adapter preferably has at least one fixing element for fixing the adapter to a container lid of a waste container.
  • the adapter is open or substantially open on its underside facing the container lid, so that in the container lid fixed state of the adapter, the adapter inner volume connects directly to the container lid or to the top of the container lid. It is recommended that the adapter internal volume is 4 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% of the volume of the container interior.
  • the invention is based on the finding that with the method according to the invention and with the adapter device according to the invention, a little complicated and functionally reliable pressure relief and inerting of a waste container is possible.
  • This pressure relief and inerting according to the invention can be carried out with relatively few process steps and nonetheless meets all safety requirements. It can be ensured in the context of the method according to the invention that problematic gases or gas mixtures in the container interior can be replaced functionally and effectively by inert gas. In this case, a safe opening of the waste container and a functionally reliable and effective pressure reduction and gas or gas atmosphere exchange can be carried out with inert gas.
  • flammable and / or explosive gas mixtures can be prepared in a simple way so that they can be delivered to a nuclear ventilation system without any problems.
  • the nuclear ventilation system must meet any additional requirements in terms of explosive gas mixtures or resulting pressure surges.
  • the depressurization and inerting of a waste container according to the present invention can be realized easily and reliably with a relatively small cost.
  • an adapter 2 with an adapter internal volume 3 is connected to the container 1, and indeed this adapter 2 is preferably fixed in the exemplary embodiment to the container lid 4 of the container 1.
  • the adapter 2 is part of an adapter device 6 which will be explained in more detail below, which has, inter alia, a pump or vacuum pump 7 and an inert gas source 8, a vacuum line 10 and an inert gas line 11.
  • part of the adapter device 6 is also a mixing nozzle 9 which will be explained below ,
  • the adapter 2 has an adapter cover 12 and a circumferential adapter wall 13 connected thereto.
  • the container 1 facing bottom 14 of the adapter 2 is open, so that the adapter inner volume 3 in the assembled state of the adapter 2 directly adjoins the top of the container lid 4.
  • the adapter 2 further comprises fixing elements 15 for fixing the adapter 2 to the container lid 4.
  • the adapter 2 is preferred and equipped in the embodiment with a lifting device 16 which is connected to a small lid 17 in the container lid 4 of the container 1. By means of the lifting device 16, the small lid 17 can be raised and in this way it is recommended, and in the exemplary embodiment via opening openings 18 provided in the container lid 4, to establish a connection between the adapter internal volume 3 and the container interior 5.
  • opening channels 18 are present in the container lid 4. In the figures, however, only one opening channel 18 is shown. With the lifting device 16, the small lid 17 can also be stored again.
  • a leak test of the system is carried out in a first method step.
  • partial sections of the adapter device 6 which are separated by shut-off elements or valves are preferably evacuated one after the other, and then the pressure increase in these partial areas is measured over a defined period of time. If the increase in pressure in the partial areas is below a previously defined limit value, the partial area or the adapter device 6 can be classified as dense.
  • the air is then removed from the adapter device 6, in particular from the adapter internal volume 3 and the lines 10, 11 connected thereto, by generating a vacuum or a vacuum in the components by means of the pump or vacuum pump 7. This evacuation is carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the adapter device 6 is expediently less than 1% by volume.
  • the adapter 2 or the adapter inner volume 3 is filled with inert gas under overpressure.
  • nitrogen is introduced from the inert gas source 8 via the inert gas line 11 into the adapter internal volume 3.
  • the overpressure of the inert gas in the adapter internal volume 3 may finally be 7 bar.
  • a mixing pressure arises in accordance with the pressure difference between the pressure in the adapter internal volume 3 and the pressure in the container interior 5.
  • the procedure is recommended to be carried out with the proviso that a mixing pressure of less than 7 bar is established.
  • the mixing pressure in the container interior 5 and in the adapter inner volume 3 is released.
  • gas is withdrawn via the vacuum line 10 and preferably fed via a filter 19 of the mixing nozzle 9.
  • the mixing nozzle 9 With the help of the mixing nozzle 9, the withdrawn from the container interior 5 gas or gas mixture with a diluent gas - recommended and in the embodiment with air as a diluent - diluted.
  • the dilution is expediently dimensioned such that combustible gas or combustible gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior 5 is clearly below the lower explosion limit.
  • a relatively large volume flow of air is introduced into the mixing nozzle 9 via a first inlet 21 of the mixing nozzle 9, and a relatively small volume flow of the gas or gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior 5 is introduced via the second inlet 22.
  • the resulting air-diluted gas or gas mixture is then well below the lower explosion limit.
  • This diluted gas / gas mixture can be given without hesitation, for example, to an exhaust system 23 of a power plant.
  • a negative pressure is generated in the container interior 5 and in the adapter inner volume 3 by means of the pump 7, and the gas or gas mixture withdrawn during the evacuation is treated as described above and diluted with the aid of the mixing nozzle 9.
  • the removed gas or gas mixture is replaced by inert gas, preferably nitrogen and in the exemplary embodiment, which in turn is supplied from the inert gas source 8.
  • This substitution of the gas or gas mixture by the inert gas is carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the container 1 is less than 1 vol .-%.
  • the filled with the inert gas container interior 5 is set to ambient pressure.
  • the inventive method is characterized by the advantage that both under pressure and under negative pressure standing waste container 1 can be safely depressurized and rendered inert. With the inventive method already filled and conditioned waste container 1 can be easily prepared for transport to a repository and it can be ensured that the container 1 with respect to the pressure and in relation to the gas content meet all requirements readily.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung von Abfallbehältern für radioaktive Abfälle, insbesondere für schwach- und mittelaktive radioaktive Abfälle. Fernerhin betrifft die Erfindung eine Adapter-Vorrichtung zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung von Abfallbehältern für radioaktive Abfälle. - Abfallbehälter für radioaktive Abfälle werden in der Regel aus metallischen Werkstoffen gefertigt. Sie weisen einen Behälterboden, einen daran anschließenden Behältermantel und zumindest einen Behälterdeckel auf. Derartige Abfallbehälter haben bestimmten Sicherheitsanforderungen zu genügen und müssen neben der Gewährleistung einer ausreichenden Abschirmung auch hinreichend druckfest ausgebildet sein. Nachfolgend wird statt des Begriffes Abfallbehälter auch kurz der Begriff Behälter verwendet.The invention relates to a method for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, in particular for low and medium active radioactive waste. Furthermore, the invention relates to an adapter device for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste. - Waste containers for radioactive waste are usually made of metallic materials. They have a container bottom, an adjoining container casing and at least one container lid. Such waste containers have to meet certain safety requirements and must be made sufficiently resistant to pressure in addition to ensuring adequate shielding. Hereinafter, instead of the term waste container also briefly the term container is used.

Aus der Praxis ist es bekannt verschiedenste radioaktive Abfälle in Abfallbehältern zu verpacken. Die Abfallbehälter sind als Transport- und/oder Lagerbehälter ausgestaltet. - Der Erfindung liegt die Erkenntnis zugrunde, dass aufgrund der Eigenschaften der radioaktiven Abfälle bzw. durch Kombination verschiedener radioaktiver Abfälle und gegebenenfalls Wasser Prozesse resultieren können, die eine Veränderung der Gasatmosphäre im Behälterinnenraum bedingen. Durch Radiolyse kann beispielsweise im Behälterinnenraum ein Überdruck aufgebaut werden. Der Druckaufbau entsteht dabei insbesondere durch die Bildung von Wasserstoff. Grundsätzlich kann im Behälterinnenraum auch ein Unterdruck entstehen, beispielsweise durch den Verbrauch von Sauerstoff oder aufgrund der Temperaturdifferenz zwischen dem warmen Abfallbehälter nach dem Konditionieren und Verschließen sowie dem kälteren Abfallbehälter während der Lagerung. Ein Problem stellen vor allem im Abfallbehälter entstehende brennbare Gase - insbesondere Wasserstoff - dar. Diese können im Gemisch mit Sauerstoff eine explosionsfähige Atmosphäre bilden. Derartige explosionsfähige Gemische sind unter anderem bei Dichtheitsprüfungen der Behälter problematisch. Wenn davon ausgegangen wird, dass die Dichtungen des Behälters nicht vollständig in Takt sind, kann der Dichtungszwischenraum zwischen Dichtungen mit der explosionsfähigen Atmosphäre gefüllt sein. Bislang sind keine verlässlichen Maßnahmen bekannt, mit denen beladene Abfallbehälter unter Berücksichtigung aller Sicherheitsanforderungen einfach und effektiv druckentlastet und inertisiert werden können. Eine effiziente Druckentlastung und Inertisierung ist für Transportbehälter und/oder Lagerbehälter wünschenswert. Insoweit besteht Verbesserungsbedarf. Dokument WO 2015/164705 A1 ist ein Beispiel für einen derartigen, bekannten Abfallbehälter.From practice, it is known to package various radioactive waste in waste containers. The waste containers are designed as transport and / or storage containers. - The invention is based on the finding that due to the properties of the radioactive waste or by combining different radioactive waste and possibly water processes can result that cause a change in the gas atmosphere in the container interior. By radiolysis, for example, in the container interior, an overpressure can be built up. The build-up of pressure arises in particular by the formation of hydrogen. In principle, a negative pressure can also be created in the interior of the container, for example due to the consumption of oxygen or due to the temperature difference between the warm waste container after conditioning and closing and the colder waste container during storage. A problem especially in the waste container resulting combustible gases - especially Hydrogen - dar. These can form an explosive atmosphere when mixed with oxygen. Such explosive mixtures are problematic, among other things, in leak tests of the containers. Assuming that the seals of the container are not completely in tact, the seal space between seals may be filled with the explosive atmosphere. So far, no reliable measures are known with which loaded waste containers can be easily and effectively relieved of pressure and rendered inert in consideration of all safety requirements. Efficient pressure relief and inerting is desirable for transport containers and / or storage containers. In that regard, there is room for improvement. document WO 2015/164705 A1 is an example of such a known waste container.

Dementsprechend liegt der Erfindung das technische Problem zugrunde, ein Verfahren der eingangs genannten Art anzugeben, mit dem eine einfache, effektive und funktionssichere Inertisierung und Druckentlastung der Abfallbehälter möglich ist. Der Erfindung liegt weiterhin das technische Problem zugrunde, eine entsprechende Vorrichtung zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung anzugeben.Accordingly, the invention is the technical problem of providing a method of the type mentioned above, with a simple, effective and reliable inerting and pressure relief of the waste container is possible. The invention is further based on the technical problem of specifying a corresponding device for pressure relief and inerting.

Zur Lösung des technischen Problems lehrt die Erfindung ein Verfahren zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung von Abfallbehältern für radioaktive Abfälle, insbesondere für schwach- und mittelaktive Abfälle, wobei ein Adapter mit einem Adapterinnenvolumen an den Behälter - insbesondere an den Behälterdeckel - angeschlossen wird, wobei anschließend der Adapter bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen mit einem Inertgas unter Überdruck befüllt wird, wobei im Anschluss daran eine Verbindung zwischen dem Behälterinnenraum und dem Adapterinnenvolumen hergestellt wird, so dass sich entsprechend der Druckdifferenz zwischen dem Druck im Behälterinnenraum und dem Überdruck im Adapterinnenvolumen ein Mischdruck im Adapterinnenvolumen und im Behälterinnenraum einstellt, wobei daraufhin der Mischdruck im Behälterinnenraum und im Adapterinnenvolumen entspannt wird - insbesondere auf Umgebungsdruck entspannt wird - und wobei anschließend im Behälterinnenraum ein Unterdruck erzeugt wird und das aus dem Behälterinnenraum entfernte Gas bzw. Gasgemisch durch ein Inertgas ersetzt wird. Als Inertgas wird dabei vorzugsweise Stickstoff eingesetzt. Grundsätzlich könnte auch ein Edelgas als Inertgas verwendet werden.To solve the technical problem, the invention teaches a method for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, especially for low- and intermediate-level waste, wherein an adapter with an adapter internal volume to the container - in particular to the container lid - is connected, in which case the adapter or the adapter inner volume is filled with an inert gas under overpressure, wherein subsequently a connection between the container interior and the adapter inner volume is made, so that according to the pressure difference between the pressure in the container interior and the overpressure in the adapter internal volume a mixing pressure in the adapter inner volume and in Thereafter, the mixing pressure in the container interior and in the adapter internal volume is expanded - in particular to ambient pressure is released - and wherein subsequently in the container interior, a negative pressure is generated and the gas removed from the container interior gas or gas mixture is replaced by an inert gas. Nitrogen is preferably used as the inert gas. In principle, a noble gas could also be used as an inert gas.

Kernpunkt der Erfindung ist der erfindungsgemäße Adapter mit dem Adapterinnenvolumen. Dieser Adapter wird - zweckmäßigerweise an der Behälteroberseite - an den Behälterdeckel und bevorzugt unmittelbar an den Behälterdeckel angeschlossen. Es liegt dabei im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass der Adapter mit zumindest einem Fixierungselement an dem Behälterdeckel fixiert wird. Es liegt fernerhin im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass bei der erfindungsgemäßen Druckentlastung und Inertisierung des Abfallbehälters bzw. des Behälterinnenraumes alle vorstehend aufgeführten Gasströme über das Adapterinnenvolumen geführt werden. Der Adapter stellt sicher, dass alle Prozesse bzw. Vorgänge des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens unter definierten Bedingungen entkoppelt von den Umgebungsbedingungen stattfinden.The core of the invention is the adapter according to the invention with the adapter internal volume. This adapter is - conveniently on the container top - connected to the container lid and preferably directly to the container lid. It is within the scope of the invention that the adapter is fixed with at least one fixing element on the container lid. It is also within the scope of the invention that in the pressure relief and inerting of the waste container or the container interior according to the invention, all gas flows listed above are performed via the adapter internal volume. The adapter ensures that all processes or processes of the method according to the invention take place under defined conditions decoupled from the ambient conditions.

Der Erfindung liegt die Erkenntnis zugrunde, dass über den erfindungsgemäßen Adapter mit seinem Adapterinnenvolumen eine sehr einfache und funktionssichere Druckentlastung und Inertisierung des Behälterinnenraumes möglich ist. Explosionsfähige Gasgemische - insbesondere Gasgemische mit Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff - können sicher und gefahrlos an die Umgebung abgegeben werden bzw. entsorgt werden. Diese Maßnahmen sind im Rahmen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens mit überraschend geringem Aufwand möglich.The invention is based on the finding that a very simple and functionally reliable pressure relief and inerting of the container interior is possible via the adapter according to the invention with its adapter internal volume. Explosive gas mixtures - especially gas mixtures with hydrogen and oxygen - can be safely and safely released into the environment or disposed of. These measures are possible in the context of the method according to the invention with surprisingly little effort.

Es liegt im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass nach Anschluss des Adapters an den Behälterdeckel zunächst - insbesondere vor der Befüllung des Adapterinnenvolumens mit dem Inertgas unter Überdruck - die Luft bzw. der Luftsauerstoff aus der Adaptervorrichtung mit dem Adapterinnenvolumen und den daran angeschlossenen Leitungen und/oder Komponenten zumindest weitgehend entfernt bzw. verdrängt wird. Adaptervorrichtung meint dabei hier und nachfolgend insbesondere die Vorrichtung aus dem Adapter und zumindest einer daran angeschlossenen Leitung, vorzugsweise mehrerer daran angeschlossener Leitungen und/oder Komponenten. Nach der zumindest weitgehenden Entfernung der Luft bzw. des Luftsauerstoffes wird empfohlenermaßen ein Unterdruck bzw. ein Vakuum in der Adaptervorrichtung bzw. in dem Adapterinnenvolumen und den daran angeschlossenen Leitungen und/oder Komponenten erzeugt. Zweckmäßigerweise wird im Anschluss daran eine Befüllung der Adaptervorrichtung bzw. des Adapterinnenvolumens und der daran angeschlossenen Leitungen und/oder Komponenten mit Inertgas durchgeführt. Die Erzeugung des Unterdruckes/Vakuums und die anschließende Befüllung mit Inertgas wird dabei zweckmäßigerweise mit der Maßgabe durchgeführt, dass der Sauerstoffgehalt in der Adaptervorrichtung kleiner als 1 Vol.-% ist und bevorzugt deutlich kleiner als 1 Vol.-% ist.It is within the scope of the invention that after connection of the adapter to the container lid first - especially before filling the adapter internal volume with the inert gas under pressure - the air or the atmospheric oxygen from the adapter device with the adapter internal volume and the connected lines and / or components at least largely removed or displaced. Adapter device means here and below in particular the device from the adapter and at least one line connected thereto, preferably a plurality of lines and / or components connected thereto. After the at least substantial removal of the air or of the atmospheric oxygen, it is recommended to generate a negative pressure or a vacuum in the adapter device or in the adapter internal volume and the lines and / or components connected thereto. Conveniently, a filling of the adapter device or of the inner volume of the adapter and of the lines and / or components connected thereto is subsequently carried out with inert gas. The generation of the negative pressure / vacuum and the subsequent filling with inert gas is expediently carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the adapter device is less than 1% by volume and is preferably significantly less than 1% by volume.

Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass - insbesondere vor der vorstehend beschriebenen Verdrängung der Luft bzw. des Luftsauerstoffs durch Inertgas - eine Dichtheitsprüfung der Adaptervorrichtung durchgeführt wird. Vorzugsweise werden dabei Teilbereiche der Adaptervorrichtung - zweckmäßigerweise durch Absperrelemente getrennte Teilbereiche der Adaptervorrichtung - evakuiert und im Anschluss daran wird der Druckanstieg in diesen Teilbereichen gemessen und insbesondere über einen definierten Zeitraum gemessen. Es liegt dabei im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass die Teilbereiche nacheinander evakuiert werden bzw. dass in den Teilbereichen nacheinander ein Unterdruck erzeugt wird. Wenn der gemessene Druckanstieg unter einem definierten Grenzwert liegt kann der Teilbereich bzw. die Gesamtheit der Teilbereiche als dicht bezeichnet werden. Die vorstehend beschriebene Dichtheitsprüfung wird zweckmäßigerweise auch an dem Adapter (als Bestandteil der Adaptervorrichtung) und an dessen Schnittstelle zum Behälter durchgeführt.A preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that - in particular before the above-described displacement of the air or the atmospheric oxygen by inert gas - a leak test of the adapter device is performed. In this case, subregions of the adapter device are advantageously evacuated-advantageously subregions of the adapter device that are separated by shut-off elements-and subsequently the pressure rise in these subregions is measured and, in particular, measured over a defined period of time. It is within the scope of the invention that the Subsections are evacuated in succession or that in the sub-areas successively a negative pressure is generated. If the measured pressure increase is below a defined limit value, the subarea or the entirety of the subregions can be designated as dense. The above-described leak test is expediently also carried out on the adapter (as part of the adapter device) and on its interface to the container.

Im Anschluss an die bevorzugt durchgeführte Dichtheitsprüfung und/oder nach der vorzugsweise durchgeführten Verdrängung der Luft bzw. des Luftsauerstoffs aus der Adaptervorrichtung wird das Adapterinnenvolumen erfindungsgemäß mit Inertgas unter Überdruck gefüllt. Dabei erfolgt die Befüllung des Adapterinnenvolumens mit dem Inertgas unter Überdruck empfohlenermaßen mit der Maßgabe, dass der Überdruck im Adapterinnenvolumen 1,5 bis 10 bar, vorzugsweise 2 bis 7 bar beträgt.Following the preferably performed leak test and / or after the preferably carried out displacement of the air or the atmospheric oxygen from the adapter device, the adapter inner volume is inventively filled with inert gas under pressure. The filling of the adapter internal volume with the inert gas under overpressure is recommended, with the proviso that the overpressure in the adapter internal volume is 1.5 to 10 bar, preferably 2 to 7 bar.

Es liegt im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass der Adapter unmittelbar auf dem Behälterdeckel des Behälters fixiert ist. Fernerhin liegt es im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass die Verbindung zwischen dem Adapterinnenvolumen und dem Behälterinnenraum über zumindest einen im Behälterdeckel angeordneten Kleindeckel hergestellt wird. Vorzugsweise ist im Behälterdeckel ein Kleindeckel vorhanden, der mit Hilfe des Adapters bzw. mit Hilfe einer im Adapter integrierten Hubvorrichtung geöffnet werden kann. Zweckmäßigerweise wird der zumindest eine Kleindeckel mit der Hubvorrichtung des Adapters von dem Behälterdeckel des Behälters abgehoben. Dadurch wird die Verbindung zwischen Adapterinnenvolumen und Behälterinnenraum über zumindest eine Öffnung bzw. über zumindest einen Öffnungskanal, vorzugsweise über zumindest zwei Öffnungskanäle und besonders bevorzugt über zwei Öffnungskanäle hergestellt. Durch das Abheben des zumindest einen Kleindeckels von dem Behälterdeckel wird gewährleistet, dass der Kleindeckel auch geöffnet werden kann, wenn im Behälter ein Unterdruck herrscht.It is within the scope of the invention that the adapter is fixed directly on the container lid of the container. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that the connection between the adapter inner volume and the container interior is made via at least one small lid arranged in the container lid. Preferably, a small lid is present in the container lid, which can be opened by means of the adapter or by means of a built-in adapter lifting device. Conveniently, the at least one small lid with the lifting device of the adapter is lifted from the container lid of the container. As a result, the connection between the adapter internal volume and the container interior is produced via at least one opening or via at least one opening channel, preferably via at least two opening channels and particularly preferably via two opening channels. By lifting off the at least one small lid from the container lid ensures that the small lid can also be opened when there is a negative pressure in the container.

Es liegt im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass die Verbindung zwischen Adapterinnenvolumen und Behälterinnenraum hergestellt wird, nachdem der Adapter bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen mit einem Inertgas unter Überdruck befüllt wurde. Fernerhin liegt es im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass der sich nach Verbindung von Behälterinnenraum und Adapterinnenvolumen einstellende Mischdruck kleiner ist als der zuvor vorhandene Überdruck in dem mit dem Inertgas befüllten Adapterinnenvolumen. Zweckmäßigerweise ist der Mischdruck kleiner als 10 bar, bevorzugt kleiner als 7 bar und sehr bevorzugt kleiner als 5 bar. - Für den Fall, dass der sich einstellende Mischdruck größer ist als der zuvor anliegende Überdruck im Adapterinnenvolumen und/oder größer ist als ein oberer Grenzwert, kann nach bevorzugter Ausführungsform der Erfindung ein zusätzlicher Druckabbau eingeleitet werden und zwar empfohlenermaßen mittels einer Bypass-Einrichtung eingeleitet werden. Dazu wird ein definierter oberer Grenzwert für den Druck bzw. Mischdruck festgelegt.It is within the scope of the invention that the connection between adapter inner volume and container interior is made after the adapter or the adapter inner volume has been filled with an inert gas under pressure. Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that the mixing pressure established after connecting the container interior and the adapter internal volume is smaller than the previously existing overpressure in the adapter internal volume filled with the inert gas. Conveniently, the mixing pressure is less than 10 bar, preferably less than 7 bar and very preferably less than 5 bar. - In the event that the self-adjusting mixing pressure is greater than the previously applied pressure in the adapter internal volume and / or greater than an upper limit, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an additional pressure reduction can be initiated and admittedly be initiated by means of a bypass device , For this purpose, a defined upper limit for the pressure or mixing pressure is set.

Erfindungsgemäß wird daraufhin der Mischdruck im Behälterinnenraum und im Adapterinnenvolumen entspannt - insbesondere auf Umgebungsdruck entspannt - und anschließend wird im Behälterinnenraum ein Unterdruck erzeugt, wobei das im Behälterinnenraum vorhandene Gas bzw. Gasgemisch entfernt wird. Es empfiehlt sich, dass dieses aus dem Behälterinnenraum abgezogene bzw. entfernte Gas/Gasgemisch zunächst mit einem Verdünnungsgas - vorzugsweise mit Luft als Verdünnungsgas - verdünnt wird und in verdünnter Form abgeführt wird, insbesondere an die Umgebung bzw. an die Atmosphäre abgegeben wird. Es liegt dabei im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass das Gas bzw. Gasgemisch über das Adapterinnenvolumen aus dem Behälterinnenraum abgezogen wird. Die Verdünnung des Gases bzw. Gasgemisches erfolgt mit der Maßgabe, dass brennbares bzw. explosionsfähiges Gas/Gasgemisch nach der Verdünnung deutlich unterhalb der Explosionsgrenze liegt. Mit dieser Verdünnung wird dafür Sorge getragen, dass eventuell nachgeschaltete Systeme nicht mit explosionsfähiger Atmosphäre beaufschlagt werden.According to the invention, the mixing pressure in the interior of the container and the internal volume of the adapter is then released, in particular reduced to ambient pressure, and subsequently a negative pressure is generated in the interior of the container, the gas or gas mixture present in the interior of the container being removed. It is recommended that this withdrawn from the container interior or removed gas / gas mixture is first diluted with a diluent gas - preferably with air as a diluent gas - and dissipated in dilute form, in particular to the environment or to the atmosphere. It is within the scope of the invention that the gas or gas mixture is withdrawn via the adapter internal volume from the container interior. The dilution of the gas or gas mixture is carried out with the proviso that combustible or explosive gas / gas mixture after dilution is well below the explosion limit. This dilution ensures that any downstream systems are not exposed to an explosive atmosphere.

Erfindungsgemäß wird das aus dem Behälterinnenraum abgezogene Gas bzw. Gasgemisch durch Inertgas ersetzt. Dieser Ersatz durch Inertgas erfolgt empfohlenermaßen mit der Maßgabe, dass der verbleibende Sauerstoffgehalt im Behälterinnenraum kleiner als 1 Vol.-%, bevorzugt kleiner als 0,8 Vol.-% und sehr bevorzugt kleiner als 0,5 Vol.-% ist.According to the invention, the gas or gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior is replaced by inert gas. This substitution by inert gas is recommended with the proviso that the remaining oxygen content in the container interior is less than 1 vol .-%, preferably less than 0.8 vol .-% and very preferably less than 0.5 vol .-%.

Vorzugsweise wird der mit Inertgas - vorzugsweise mit Stickstoff - befüllte Behälterinnenraum auf Umgebungsdruck eingestellt. Im Behälterinnenraum herrscht also nach dem Ersatz durch Inertgas bzw. nach der Befüllung mit Inertgas Umgebungsdruck. Im Anschluss daran wird zweckmäßigerweise der Adapter wieder von dem Behälter bzw. von dem Behälterdeckel getrennt.Preferably, the container interior filled with inert gas, preferably nitrogen, is set at ambient pressure. In the container interior therefore prevails after replacement by inert gas or after filling with inert gas ambient pressure. Following this, the adapter is expediently separated again from the container or from the container lid.

Zur Lösung des technischen Problems lehrt die Erfindung weiterhin eine Adapter-Vorrichtung zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung von Abfallbehältern für radioaktive Abfälle, insbesondere für schwach- und mittelaktive Abfälle, wobei ein Adapter mit Adapterinnenvolumen zur Aufnahme eines Gasvolumens vorgesehen ist, wobei der Adapter bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen mit zumindest einer Pumpe bzw. Vakuumpumpe zum Abziehen von Gasen bzw. zur Erzeugung eines Unterdruckes verbunden ist und wobei der Adapter bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen fernerhin mit zumindest einer Inertgasquelle für die Befüllung des Adapterinnenvolumens und/oder des Behälterinnenraumes mit Inertgas verbunden ist.To solve the technical problem, the invention further teaches an adapter device for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers for radioactive waste, especially for low- and intermediate-level waste, wherein an adapter is provided with adapter internal volume for receiving a gas volume, wherein the adapter or the adapter inner volume is connected to at least one pump or vacuum pump for removing gases or for generating a negative pressure and wherein the adapter or the adapter internal volume is further connected to at least one inert gas source for filling the adapter inner volume and / or the container interior with inert gas.

Das Adapterinnenvolumen des Adapters beträgt nach bevorzugter Ausführungsform der Erfindung 4 bis 20 %, bevorzugt 5 bis 15 % und sehr bevorzugt 6 bis 10 % des Volumens des Behälterinnenraumes. Insoweit ist empfohlenermaßen das Volumen des Behälterinnenraumes größer bzw. deutlich größer als das Adapterinnenvolumen. - Es empfiehlt sich, dass der Adapter bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen über zumindest eine Vakuumleitung an die Pumpe angeschlossen ist und/oder über zumindest eine Inertgasleitung an die Inertgasquelle angeschlossen ist. Nach einer empfohlenen Ausführungsform der Erfindung weist die Adaptervorrichtung neben dem Adapter die Pumpe, die Inertgasquelle und bevorzugt die zumindest eine Vakuumleitung und/oder die zumindest eine Inertgasleitung auf.The adapter internal volume of the adapter is according to a preferred embodiment of the invention 4 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% and very preferably 6 to 10% of the volume of the container interior. In that regard, it is recommended that the volume of the container interior is larger or significantly larger than the adapter internal volume. It is recommended that the adapter or the adapter internal volume is connected to the pump via at least one vacuum line and / or is connected to the inert gas source via at least one inert gas line. According to a recommended embodiment of the invention, the adapter device in addition to the adapter, the pump, the inert gas source and preferably the at least one vacuum line and / or the at least one inert gas line.

Eine sehr bevorzugte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Adaptervorrichtung ist dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Adapter für eine unmittelbare Anordnung bzw. Fixierung an bzw. auf der Behälterdeckelanordnung des Behälters eingerichtet ist. Zweckmäßigerweise wird der Adapter unmittelbar auf dem Behälterdeckel des Behälters fixiert. Es liegt im Rahmen der Erfindung, dass der zumindest eine Kleindeckel in dem Behälterdeckel von dem Adapter bzw. von dem Adapterinnenvolumen überdeckt wird. Zweckmäßigerweise wird der zumindest eine Kleindeckel mittels einer im Adapter integrierten Hubvorrichtung angehoben und somit geöffnet. Dabei wird der Kleindeckel empfohlenermaßen innerhalb des Adapterinnenvolumens des Adapters bewegt bzw. manipuliert.A very preferred embodiment of the adapter device according to the invention is characterized in that the adapter is arranged for direct arrangement or fixation on or on the container lid arrangement of the container. Conveniently, the adapter is fixed directly on the container lid of the container. It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one small lid in the container lid is covered by the adapter or by the internal volume of the adapter. Conveniently, the at least one small lid is lifted by means of a lifting device integrated in the adapter and thus opened. The small lid is recommended to be moved or manipulated within the adapter's internal volume of the adapter.

Eine besonders empfohlene Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Adaptervorrichtung zeichnet sich dadurch aus, dass zumindest eine Mischvorrichtung - vorzugsweise in Form zumindest einer Mischdüse - für die Verdünnung bzw. für das Mischen des aus dem Behälterinnenraum abgezogenen Gases bzw. Gasgemisches mit einem Verdünnungsgas - bevorzugt mit Luft - vorgesehen ist. Zweckmäßigerweise wird in der Mischvorrichtung - vorzugsweise in der Mischdüse - ein großes Volumen des Verdünnungsgases mit einem kleinen Volumen des abgezogenen Gases bzw. Gasgemisches gemischt. Eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäß eingesetzten Mischdüse wird weiter unten noch erläutert. Mittels der Mischvorrichtung bzw. der Mischdüse kann gewährleistet werden, dass eventuell brennbares bzw. explosionsfähiges Gas/Gasgemisch mit der Maßgabe verdünnt werden kann, dass das aus der Mischvorrichtung bzw. aus der Mischdüse abgegebene Gasgemisch nicht mehr explosionsfähig ist und somit bedenkenlos an die Umgebung bzw. an die Atmosphäre abgegeben werden kann.A particularly recommended embodiment of the adapter device according to the invention is characterized in that at least one mixing device - preferably in the form of at least one mixing nozzle - for the dilution or for mixing the withdrawn from the container interior gas or gas mixture with a diluent gas - preferred with air - is provided. Conveniently, in the mixing device - preferably in the mixing nozzle - a large volume of the diluent gas is mixed with a small volume of the withdrawn gas or gas mixture. A preferred embodiment of a mixing nozzle used according to the invention will be explained below. By means of the mixing device or the mixing nozzle can be ensured that any combustible or explosive gas / gas mixture can be diluted with the proviso that the gas mixture discharged from the mixing device or from the mixing nozzle is no longer explosive and thus without hesitation to the environment or can be released to the atmosphere.

Gegenstand der Erfindung ist auch ein Adapter - insbesondere zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens und/oder für die erfindungsgemäße Adaptervorrichtung -, wobei der Adapter eine Adapterdecke sowie eine an die Adapterdecke anschließende und umlaufende Adapterwandung aufweist, wobei die Adapterdecke und Adapterwandung das Adapterinnenvolumen einschließen bzw. begrenzen und wobei der Adapter vorzugsweise zumindest ein Fixierungselement zur Fixierung des Adapters an einem Behälterdeckel eines Abfallbehälters aufweist. Nach besonders bevorzugter Ausführungsform der Erfindung ist der Adapter an seiner dem Behälterdeckel zugewandten Unterseite offen bzw. im Wesentlichen offen ausgebildet, so dass in dem am Behälterdeckel fixierten Zustand des Adapters das Adapterinnenvolumen unmittelbar an den Behälterdeckel bzw. an die Oberseite des Behälterdeckels anschließt. Es empfiehlt sich, dass das Adapterinnenvolumen 4 bis 20 %, vorzugsweise 5 bis 15 % des Volumens des Behälterinnenraumes beträgt.The invention is also an adapter - in particular for carrying out the method according to the invention and / or for the adapter device according to the invention -, wherein the adapter has an adapter cover and an adjoining the adapter cover and peripheral adapter wall, wherein the adapter cover and adapter wall include the adapter inner volume or limit and wherein the adapter preferably has at least one fixing element for fixing the adapter to a container lid of a waste container. According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the adapter is open or substantially open on its underside facing the container lid, so that in the container lid fixed state of the adapter, the adapter inner volume connects directly to the container lid or to the top of the container lid. It is recommended that the adapter internal volume is 4 to 20%, preferably 5 to 15% of the volume of the container interior.

Der Erfindung liegt die Erkenntnis zugrunde, dass mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren und mit der erfindungsgemäßen Adaptervorrichtung eine wenig aufwendige und zugleich funktionssichere Druckentlastung und Inertisierung eines Abfallbehälters möglich ist. Diese erfindungsgemäße Druckentlastung und Inertisierung kann mit verhältnismäßig wenig Verfahrensschritten erfolgen und genügt nichtsdestoweniger allen Sicherheitsanforderungen. Es kann im Rahmen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens gewährleistet werden, dass problematische Gase bzw. Gasgemische im Behälterinnenraum funktionssicher und effektiv durch Inertgas ersetzt werden können. Dabei kann ein sicheres Öffnen des Abfallbehälters sowie ein funktionssicherer und effektiver Druckabbau und Gas- bzw. Gasatmosphärenaustausch mit Inertgas erfolgen. Fernerhin können brennbare und/oder explosionsfähige Gasgemische auf einfache Weise so aufbereitet werden, dass sie problemlos an eine kerntechnische Lüftungsanlage abgegeben werden können. Dazu muss die kerntechnische Lüftungsanlage keine zusätzlichen Anforderungen in Bezug auf explosionsfähige Gasgemische bzw. daraus resultierende Druckstöße erfüllen. Im Ergebnis kann die erfindungsgemäße Druckentlastung und Inertisierung eines Abfallbehälters mit relativ geringen Kosten einfach und funktionssicher realisiert werden.The invention is based on the finding that with the method according to the invention and with the adapter device according to the invention, a little complicated and functionally reliable pressure relief and inerting of a waste container is possible. This pressure relief and inerting according to the invention can be carried out with relatively few process steps and nonetheless meets all safety requirements. It can be ensured in the context of the method according to the invention that problematic gases or gas mixtures in the container interior can be replaced functionally and effectively by inert gas. In this case, a safe opening of the waste container and a functionally reliable and effective pressure reduction and gas or gas atmosphere exchange can be carried out with inert gas. Furthermore, flammable and / or explosive gas mixtures can be prepared in a simple way so that they can be delivered to a nuclear ventilation system without any problems. For this purpose, the nuclear ventilation system must meet any additional requirements in terms of explosive gas mixtures or resulting pressure surges. As a result, the depressurization and inerting of a waste container according to the present invention can be realized easily and reliably with a relatively small cost.

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand einer lediglich ein Ausführungsbeispiel darstellenden Zeichnung näher erläutert. Es zeigen in schematischer Darstellung:

Fig.1
ein Schaltbild mit einem Abfallbehälter und einer daran angeschlossenen Adaptervorrichtung zur Veranschaulichung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens,
Fig. 2
einen vergrößerten Ausschnitt aus dem oberen Bereich des Abfallbehälters im Schnitt und
Fig. 3
den Gegenstand nach Fig. 2 in einer anderen Funktionsstellung.
The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment. In a schematic representation:
Fig.1
a circuit diagram with a waste container and an adapter device connected thereto to illustrate the method according to the invention,
Fig. 2
an enlarged section of the upper portion of the waste container in section and
Fig. 3
the object after Fig. 2 in another functional position.

Die Figuren veranschaulichen ein erfindungsgemäßes Verfahren zur Druckentlastung und Inertisierung von Abfallbehältern 1 für radioaktive Abfälle, insbesondere für schwach- und mittelaktive Abfälle. Erfindungsgemäß ist an den Behälter 1 ein Adapter 2 mit einem Adapterinnenvolumen 3 angeschlossen und zwar ist dieser Adapter 2 bevorzugt und im Ausführungsbeispiel an dem Behälterdeckel 4 des Behälters 1 fixiert. Der Adapter 2 ist Bestandteil einer nachfolgend noch näher erläuterten Adaptervorrichtung 6, die unter anderem eine Pumpe bzw. Vakuumpumpe 7 aufweist sowie eine Inertgasquelle 8, eine Vakuumleitung 10 und eine Inertgasleitung 11. Außerdem ist Bestandteil der Adaptervorrichtung 6 auch eine weiter unten noch erläuterte Mischdüse 9.The figures illustrate an inventive method for pressure relief and inerting of waste containers 1 for radioactive waste, especially for low and intermediate level waste. According to the invention, an adapter 2 with an adapter internal volume 3 is connected to the container 1, and indeed this adapter 2 is preferably fixed in the exemplary embodiment to the container lid 4 of the container 1. The adapter 2 is part of an adapter device 6 which will be explained in more detail below, which has, inter alia, a pump or vacuum pump 7 and an inert gas source 8, a vacuum line 10 and an inert gas line 11. In addition, part of the adapter device 6 is also a mixing nozzle 9 which will be explained below ,

Der Adapter 2 weist eine Adapterdecke 12 sowie eine daran angeschlossene umlaufende Adapterwandung 13 auf. Vorzugsweise und im Ausführungsbeispiel ist die dem Behälter 1 zugewandte Unterseite 14 des Adapters 2 offen ausgebildet, so dass das Adapterinnenvolumen 3 im montierten Zustand des Adapters 2 unmittelbar an die Oberseite des Behälterdeckels 4 anschließt. Der Adapter 2 umfasst fernerhin Fixierungselemente 15 für die Fixierung des Adapters 2 an dem Behälterdeckel 4. Fernerhin ist der Adapter 2 bevorzugt und im Ausführungsbeispiel mit einer Hubvorrichtung 16 ausgestattet, die an einen Kleindeckel 17 im Behälterdeckel 4 des Behälters 1 angeschlossen ist. Mittels der Hubvorrichtung 16 kann der Kleindeckel 17 angehoben werden und auf diese Weise wird empfohlenermaßen und im Ausführungsbeispiel über im Behälterdeckel 4 vorgesehene Öffnungskanäle 18 eine Verbindung zwischen dem Adapterinnenvolumen 3 und dem Behälterinnenraum 5 hergestellt.The adapter 2 has an adapter cover 12 and a circumferential adapter wall 13 connected thereto. Preferably and in the embodiment, the container 1 facing bottom 14 of the adapter 2 is open, so that the adapter inner volume 3 in the assembled state of the adapter 2 directly adjoins the top of the container lid 4. The adapter 2 further comprises fixing elements 15 for fixing the adapter 2 to the container lid 4. Furthermore, the adapter 2 is preferred and equipped in the embodiment with a lifting device 16 which is connected to a small lid 17 in the container lid 4 of the container 1. By means of the lifting device 16, the small lid 17 can be raised and in this way it is recommended, and in the exemplary embodiment via opening openings 18 provided in the container lid 4, to establish a connection between the adapter internal volume 3 and the container interior 5.

Zweckmäßigerweise sind zwei dieser Öffnungskanäle 18 im Behälterdeckel 4 vorhanden. In den Figuren ist jedoch lediglich ein Öffnungskanal 18 dargestellt. Mit der Hubvorrichtung 16 kann der Kleindeckel 17 auch wieder abgelegt werden.Conveniently, two of these opening channels 18 are present in the container lid 4. In the figures, however, only one opening channel 18 is shown. With the lifting device 16, the small lid 17 can also be stored again.

Nachfolgend wird eine besonders bevorzugte Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens erläutert: Nach dem Anschluss des Adapters 2 bzw. der Adaptervorrichtung 6 wird in einem ersten Verfahrensschritt eine Dichtheitsprüfung des Systems durchgeführt. Dabei werden bevorzugt durch Absperrelemente bzw. Ventile getrennte Teilbereiche der Adaptervorrichtung 6 nacheinander evakuiert und dann wird der Druckanstieg in diesen Teilbereichen über einen definierten Zeitraum gemessen. Wenn der Druckanstieg in den Teilbereichen unterhalb eines vorher definierten Grenzwertes liegt, kann der Teilbereich bzw. die Adaptervorrichtung 6 als dicht eingestuft werden. Vorzugsweise wird daraufhin die Luft aus der Adaptervorrichtung 6, insbesondere aus dem Adapterinnenvolumen 3 und den daran angeschlossenen Leitungen 10, 11 entfernt, indem mittels der Pumpe bzw. Vakuumpumpe 7 ein Unterdruck bzw. ein Vakuum in den Komponenten erzeugt wird. Diese Evakuierung wird mit der Maßgabe durchgeführt, dass der Sauerstoffgehalt in der Adaptervorrichtung 6 zweckmäßigerweise kleiner als 1 Vol.-% ist.A particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is explained below: After the adapter 2 or the adapter device 6 has been connected, a leak test of the system is carried out in a first method step. In this case, partial sections of the adapter device 6 which are separated by shut-off elements or valves are preferably evacuated one after the other, and then the pressure increase in these partial areas is measured over a defined period of time. If the increase in pressure in the partial areas is below a previously defined limit value, the partial area or the adapter device 6 can be classified as dense. The air is then removed from the adapter device 6, in particular from the adapter internal volume 3 and the lines 10, 11 connected thereto, by generating a vacuum or a vacuum in the components by means of the pump or vacuum pump 7. This evacuation is carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the adapter device 6 is expediently less than 1% by volume.

Im Anschluss daran wird der Adapter 2 bzw. das Adapterinnenvolumen 3 mit Inertgas unter Überdruck befüllt. Vorzugsweise und im Ausführungsbeispiel wird dazu Stickstoff aus der Inertgasquelle 8 über die Inertgasleitung 11 in das Adapterinnenvolumen 3 eingeleitet. Der Überdruck des Inertgases im Adapterinnenvolumen 3 mag schließlich7 bar betragen.Following this, the adapter 2 or the adapter inner volume 3 is filled with inert gas under overpressure. Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, nitrogen is introduced from the inert gas source 8 via the inert gas line 11 into the adapter internal volume 3. The overpressure of the inert gas in the adapter internal volume 3 may finally be 7 bar.

Anschließend wird eine Verbindung zwischen dem Adapterinnenvolumen 3 und dem Behälterinnenraum 5 hergestellt. Der bislang verschlossene Kleindeckel 17 wird dazu mittels der im Adapter 2 integrierten Hubvorrichtung 16 angehoben (s. vergleichende Betrachtung der Fig. 2 und 3). Die Fig. 2 zeigt den bislang noch verschlossenen Zustand des Kleindeckels 17 und die Fig. 3 zeigt den für den hier beschriebenen Verfahrensschritt bereits geöffneten Kleindeckel 17.Subsequently, a connection between the adapter inner volume 3 and the container interior 5 is produced. The previously closed small lid 17 is lifted by means of the built-in adapter 2 lifting device 16 (s., Comparative consideration of FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The Fig. 2 shows the hitherto still closed state of the small lid 17 and the Fig. 3 shows the already opened for the process step described here small cap 17th

Durch die Verbindung zwischen dem Adapterinnenvolumen 3 und dem Behälterinnenraum 5 stellt sich entsprechend der Druckdifferenz zwischen dem Druck im Adapterinnenvolumen 3 und dem Druck im Behälterinnenraum 5 ein Mischdruck ein. Das Verfahren wird empfohlenermaßen mit der Maßgabe durchgeführt, dass sich ein Mischdruck kleiner 7 bar einstellt.Due to the connection between the adapter inner volume 3 and the container interior 5, a mixing pressure arises in accordance with the pressure difference between the pressure in the adapter internal volume 3 and the pressure in the container interior 5. The procedure is recommended to be carried out with the proviso that a mixing pressure of less than 7 bar is established.

In einem nächsten Verfahrensschritt wird der Mischdruck im Behälterinnenraum 5 und im Adapterinnenvolumen 3 entspannt. Dazu wird Gas über die Vakuumleitung 10 abgezogen und bevorzugt über einen Filter 19 der Mischdüse 9 zugeführt. Mit Hilfe der Mischdüse 9 wird das aus dem Behälterinnenraum 5 abgezogene Gas bzw. Gasgemisch mit einem Verdünnungsgas - empfohlenermaßen und im Ausführungsbeispiel mit Luft als Verdünnungsgas - verdünnt. Die Verdünnung ist dabei zweckmäßigerweise so dimensioniert, dass aus dem Behälterinnenraum 5 abgezogenes brennbares Gas bzw. brennbares Gasgemisch deutlich unterhalb der unteren Explosionsgrenze liegt. Dazu wird über einen ersten Einlass 21 der Mischdüse 9 ein verhältnismäßig großer Volumenstrom Luft in die Mischdüse 9 eingeführt und über den zweiten Einlass 22 ein im Vergleich dazu relativ kleiner Volumenstrom des aus dem Behälterinnenraum 5 abgezogenen Gases bzw. Gasgemisches eingeführt. Das resultierende mit Luft verdünnte Gas bzw. Gasgemisch liegt dann deutlich unterhalb der unteren Explosionsgrenze. Dieses verdünnte Gas/Gasgemisch kann bedenkenlos beispielsweise an ein Abluftsystem 23 eines Kraftwerkes abgegeben werden.In a next method step, the mixing pressure in the container interior 5 and in the adapter inner volume 3 is released. For this purpose, gas is withdrawn via the vacuum line 10 and preferably fed via a filter 19 of the mixing nozzle 9. With the help of the mixing nozzle 9, the withdrawn from the container interior 5 gas or gas mixture with a diluent gas - recommended and in the embodiment with air as a diluent - diluted. The dilution is expediently dimensioned such that combustible gas or combustible gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior 5 is clearly below the lower explosion limit. For this purpose, a relatively large volume flow of air is introduced into the mixing nozzle 9 via a first inlet 21 of the mixing nozzle 9, and a relatively small volume flow of the gas or gas mixture withdrawn from the container interior 5 is introduced via the second inlet 22. The resulting air-diluted gas or gas mixture is then well below the lower explosion limit. This diluted gas / gas mixture can be given without hesitation, for example, to an exhaust system 23 of a power plant.

Im Anschluss daran wird im Behälterinnenraum 5 und im Adapterinnenvolumen 3 mittels der Pumpe 7 ein Unterdruck erzeugt und das bei der Evakuierung abgezogene Gas bzw. Gasgemisch wird wie vorstehend beschrieben behandelt und mit Hilfe der Mischdüse 9 verdünnt. Das entfernte Gas bzw. Gasgemisch wird durch Inertgas - bevorzugt und im Ausführungsbeispiel durch Stickstoff - ersetzt, das wiederum aus der Inertgasquelle 8 zugeführt wird. Diese Substitution des Gases bzw. Gasgemisches durch das Inertgas wird mit der Maßgabe durchgeführt, dass der Sauerstoffgehalt im Behälter 1 kleiner als 1 Vol.-% ist. Zweckmäßigerweise wird der mit dem Inertgas befüllte Behälterinnenraum 5 auf Umgebungsdruck eingestellt.Following this, a negative pressure is generated in the container interior 5 and in the adapter inner volume 3 by means of the pump 7, and the gas or gas mixture withdrawn during the evacuation is treated as described above and diluted with the aid of the mixing nozzle 9. The removed gas or gas mixture is replaced by inert gas, preferably nitrogen and in the exemplary embodiment, which in turn is supplied from the inert gas source 8. This substitution of the gas or gas mixture by the inert gas is carried out with the proviso that the oxygen content in the container 1 is less than 1 vol .-%. Conveniently, the filled with the inert gas container interior 5 is set to ambient pressure.

Abschließend wird der Adapter 2 wieder vom Behälter 1 getrennt. Alle nachfolgenden Arbeiten am Behälter können dann ohne Explosions-Schutzbedingungen am drucklosen Behälter problemlos durchgeführt werden. - Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren zeichnet sich durch den Vorteil aus, dass sowohl unter Überdruck als auch unter Unterdruck stehende Abfallbehälter 1 sicher druckentlastet und inertisiert werden können. Mit dem erfindungsgemäßen Verfahren können bereits befüllte und konditionierte Abfallbehälter 1 auf einfache Weise für den Transport in eine Endlager vorbereitet werden und dabei kann sichergestellt werden, dass die Behälter 1 in Bezug auf den Druck und in Bezug auf den Gasinhalt alle Anforderungen ohne Weiteres erfüllen.Finally, the adapter 2 is again separated from the container 1. All subsequent work on the container can then be carried out without problem on the pressureless container without explosion protection conditions. - The inventive method is characterized by the advantage that both under pressure and under negative pressure standing waste container 1 can be safely depressurized and rendered inert. With the inventive method already filled and conditioned waste container 1 can be easily prepared for transport to a repository and it can be ensured that the container 1 with respect to the pressure and in relation to the gas content meet all requirements readily.

Claims (11)

  1. A method for pressure relief and inertisation of waste containers (1) for radioactive wastes, wherein an adapter (2) with an adapter interior volume (3) is connected to the container (1), wherein the adapter (2) or the adapter interior volume (3) is filled with an inert gas under excess pressure, wherein a connection between the container interior (5) and the adapter interior volume (3) is then produced, so that a mixed pressure is established in the adapter interior volume (3) and in the container interior (5) corresponding to the pressure difference between the pressure in the container interior (5) and the excess pressure in the adapter interior volume (3), wherein the mixed pressure in the container interior (5) and in the adapter interior volume (3) is then relieved and wherein an underpressure is then generated in the container interior (5) and the gas or gas mixture removed from the container interior (5) is replaced by at least one inert gas.
  2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a tightness check of the adapter device (6) is carried out, wherein partial regions of the adapter device (6) are evacuated and the pressure increase in these partial regions is then measured.
  3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein air or atmospheric oxygen is removed or displaced from the adapter device (6) with the adapter interior volume (3) and lines and/or components connected thereto, wherein an underpressure is generated in the adapter device (6) and filling of the adapter device (6) with inert gas is then carried out.
  4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the filling of the adapter interior volume (3) with the inert gas under excess pressure takes place on condition that the excess pressure in the adapter interior volume (3) amounts to 1.5 to 10 bar.
  5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mixed pressure established after connection of the container interior (5) and the adapter interior volume (3) is less than the previously existing excess pressure in the adapter interior volume (3) filled with the inert gas and wherein the mixed pressure is less than 10 bar.
  6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the event that the established mixed pressure is greater than the previously prevailing excess pressure in the adapter interior volume (3) and/or is greater than an upper threshold value, a pressure drop is initiated.
  7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the gas or gas mixture removed from the container interior (5) is first diluted with a diluting gas and is then discharged in diluted form.
  8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the replacement of the gas or the gas mixture in the container interior (5) by inert gas is carried out on condition that the remaining oxygen content in the container interior (5) is less than 1% by volume.
  9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container interior (5) filled with inert gas is adjusted to ambient pressure.
  10. A pressure-relief and inertisation device for waste containers for radioactive wastes - in particular for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein an adapter (2) with an adapter interior volume (3) is provided for receiving a gas volume, wherein the adapter (2) or the adapter interior volume (3) is connected to at least one pump (7) for drawing off gases or for generating an underpressure, wherein the adapter (2) or the adapter interior volume (3), furthermore, is connected to at least one inert gas source (8) for the filling of the adapter interior volume (3) and/or the container interior (5) with inert gas and is characterised in that at least one mixing device is provided for the dilution or for the mixing of the gas or gas mixture drawn off from the container interior (5) with a diluting gas.
  11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the adapter (2) is set up for direct arrangement or fixing at or on the container cover (4) or the container cover arrangement of the container (1).
EP15196804.7A 2015-11-27 2015-11-27 Method and device for relieving pressure of and inertisation of refuse containers for radioactive waste Active EP3174066B1 (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15196804.7A EP3174066B1 (en) 2015-11-27 2015-11-27 Method and device for relieving pressure of and inertisation of refuse containers for radioactive waste
KR1020160156262A KR20170062388A (en) 2015-11-27 2016-11-23 Method and device for pressure relief and inertization of waste containers for radioactive waste
CN201611060028.XA CN106847355A (en) 2015-11-27 2016-11-25 For the method and apparatus of release and the deactivation of the waste material container of radioactive waste
JP2016228817A JP2017096955A (en) 2015-11-27 2016-11-25 Method and device for pressure-releasing and inerting waste container for radioactive waste
TW105138963A TW201729219A (en) 2015-11-27 2016-11-25 Method and device for pressure relief and inertization of waste containers for radioactive waste

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP15196804.7A EP3174066B1 (en) 2015-11-27 2015-11-27 Method and device for relieving pressure of and inertisation of refuse containers for radioactive waste

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EP3174066A1 EP3174066A1 (en) 2017-05-31
EP3174066B1 true EP3174066B1 (en) 2018-04-18

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JP (1) JP2017096955A (en)
KR (1) KR20170062388A (en)
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TWI660368B (en) * 2018-10-22 2019-05-21 行政院原子能委員會核能研究所 Apparatus of pressure relief and sampling for black-sand shield bucket carrying radioactive acidic waste liquid and method thereof
CN109887620A (en) * 2019-03-20 2019-06-14 江苏核电有限公司 A kind of primary Ioops hydrogen purge device and its blowing method

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JP2635419B2 (en) * 1989-08-31 1997-07-30 株式会社神戸製鋼所 Drying equipment for radioactive solid waste
EP3134900B1 (en) * 2014-04-24 2019-10-23 Holtec International Storage system for nuclear fuel

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TW201729219A (en) 2017-08-16
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EP3174066A1 (en) 2017-05-31
KR20170062388A (en) 2017-06-07

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