FR2646955A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PACKAGING DEFINITIVE STORAGE OF NUCLEAR REACTOR PARTS IN THE FORM OF VERY ACTIVE RODS - Google Patents

Abstract

a) Process and conditioning device for the final storage of nuclear reactor parts in the form of highly activated rods. b) Method characterized in that the rod-shaped part 1 is mechanically coupled to the winding core 3 between two separation discs 4 in a winding channel 5 to be spirally wound in a plane and then it is moved along the same axis in a storage container 9 of corresponding inner diameter and the coiled spirals 8, arranged side by side between the separation disc 4 on the winding core, are collected in the storage container 9, packaged and transported. c) the invention relates to a method and a packaging device for the final storage of nuclear reactor parts in the form of highly activated rods.

Description

"Process and packaging device for the final storage of

nuclear reactor parts in

shape of highly activated stems ".

  The invention relates to a method and a device for packaging component parts in the form of long rods of reduced diameter, which are used in nuclear power plants. Various methods and devices are known for handling and conditioning reactor pieces in the form of radioactive rods of great length (k 10 m) and small diameter (about 10 mm), and having a variable activity distribution. The packaging solutions proposed for the reactor parts consist in: - cutting by mechanical separation at the outlet of the reactor as well as recovering the powdery product in radiation-absorbing containers (DE-OS 3301814) with or without sorting the waste according to the Type of activity; - at the outlet of the reactor without cutting, remove low-level contaminated partial lengths, joining the partial beam lengths in radiation-absorbing containers

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  (DD - WP 317712) then cutting, - winding on the winding bodies of a remotely controlled winding machine into containers

  transportable shielded (DE-OS 3018857).

  An advantageous use depends on the conditions of use in the nuclear power plant according to the unloading system and regulations. In each case of application, for the final disposal of highly active waste in sealed containers, it is necessary to proceed with devices to handle and condition the

  parts for transport and disposal.

  In the case of a screw winding, the bulk volume in storage containers is unfavorable and leads to wastage

of place.

  The object of the invention is to create a device and a technologically practical method of packaging reactor parts, in the form of highly activated rods, to ensure a non-polluting and non-irradiating unloading of the nuclear power station until temporary storage or definitive with a

  high rate of compactness of waste.

  The object of the invention is to create, for reactor parts in the form of highly activated rods of great length and small diameter and of variable activity distribution, a method and a device for producing a state suitable for transport. and final disposal in order to achieve a convenient, minimally encapsulated waste stream at minimal equipment cost, as well as optimal use of the site to achieve

  high efficiency and safety of the packaging.

  According to the invention, this problem is solved by mechanically joining on a winding core, the reactor parts resulting from their operation, with contaminated partial lengths of low activity and extracted from the reactor core over their entire length. length to wind them spirally radially, in a plane, between two lateral separation discs. On the winding core, there are arranged several fixed winding planes, one next to the other, delimited by separating discs having a minimum distance corresponding to the diameter of the component parts of the reactor, which makes it possible to wind in spiral, one behind the other, the constituent parts connected mechanically. Due to the tight arrangement and degree of compaction due to the spiral process, optimum utilization of the volume of the storage vessel is achieved. The lost coil core can rotate and move axially by a gap corresponding to the established winding planes, in a winding channel of a coupling-able protective shield (winding module) and is driven from the outside by a drive system through a

  elastic coupling element.

  The lateral separation discs and the spiral ends are limited by the periphery of the winding channel, adapted to the internal diameter of the coil.

  Coaxial storage container and open on one side.

  Thus it is certain that the winding core, after each winding step is moved step by step by the width of a winding plane over its entire length, without manipulation or subsequent unloading operations, directly into the storage container. The storage container is preferably placed in a shielded radiation shielding container with a rotating slider or a shielded rotary module on all sides; it can be filled according to the known method without unloading in this device by uncoupling the winding module and can be transported to an intermediate storage location or in Type B (U) execution up to

  final storage place after underground transport.

  Waste sorting according to the radiation group is in principle possible if the introduction channel of the component part of the reactor can be closed off by the shielding and an activity measurement and cutting device is placed in the reactor.

area of the outlet port.

  By setting up a cutting device in the zone of the reactor pieces introduction channel, before the winding core, it is possible, in case of problems, to separate the unit from the component part.

reactor.

  The advantages of this invention are the following: by the winding of spirals and the multiple arrangement on a winding core, a compaction level is achieved which, compared with the known solutions, provides a better volume utilization of the storage container and thus the intermediate and final storage. By combining the winding device and the shielded radiation shielding containers with rotating protective covers, additional protective provisions and unloading operations are eliminated between the process steps: collection, filling and transport. Thus, the protection of the environment and radiation safety is significantly improved, the cost of equipment is reduced and the adaptation or simplification of the existing systems of

conditioning is more effective.

  In case of difficulty, thanks to the radiation-tight inclusion on all sides of highly activated waste, the risk of pollution from

  the environment and the cost of remediation.

  The invention will be described above with the aid of an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawing, the sole figure of which represents a section of the

winding device.

  The figure shows, in section and in working position, an embodiment of the device for packaging reactor parts by winding

  and collecting in a storage container.

  The reactor part 1 guided in the introduction channel 2 is mechanically coupled to the winding core 3, between two separation discs 4. The winding core 3 disposed in the winding channel is connected in axial sliding and rotation by a coupling flexible 6 to the drive means 7. The reactor part 1 is wound spirally 8 in a plane between two separation discs 4; the winding core 3 slides axially into the fixed and coaxial storage container 9. The latter held by the pressure device 10 is completely filled, step by step, with the winding core 3 loaded with several spirals 8 as a piece to be discarded. The drive means 7 is separated from the winding core 3 and returned to the winding device 11; then the storage container 9 is enclosed in the charging channel of the radiation shielded container 12 by the rotary shielded ring 13 in a radiation-tight manner. Then, the winding device is moved away and the storage container 9 is treated in a special module of

same dimensions.

  In the event of a problem or necessity, a cutting device 14 mechanically cuts the constituent part of reactor i in the introduction channel 2 and then the device is removed. List of numerical references used 1. Reactor room

  2. Component introduction channel

  3. Winding core 4. Disc separator 5. Winding channel 6. Coupling

  7. Driving means of the winding core

  8. Spiral wound reactor chamber 9. Storage vessel 10. Pressure device 11. Winding device

  12. Container for protection against

  with shielding ring 13. Shield ring

14. Separating device.

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Claims (3)

  1) Packaging method for the transport and final storage of long rod-shaped parts, with a reduced diameter, in particular nuclear reactor components, which are highly activated, by winding on a winding core and packaging in a container transportable shield with a rotatable radiation shield, characterized in that the rod-shaped part (1) is mechanically coupled to the winding core (3) between two separating discs (4) in a winding channel (5) to be spirally wound in a plane and then moved along the same axis in a storage container (9) of corresponding inner diameter and the coiled spirals (8) arranged side by side between the separating disk ( 4) on the winding core, are collected in the container   storage (9), packaged and transported.   2) Device for implementing the method according to claim 1, consisting of a shielded container (12) shielded against radiation in which is disposed a storage container (9) closed by a winding device (11), characterized in that the internal diameter of the storage container (9) corresponds to the diameter of the winding channel (5), is coaxial therewith and the winding core integrally carrying a plurality of separating disks (4) with fixed axial spacing corresponding to the diameter rod-shaped parts (1), which the winding core (3) is coupled to the drive means (7) for winding and moving step by step in the storage container (9).   3 ') Device according to claim 2, characterized in that a separating device (14) for the rod-shaped workpiece (1) is implanted in the introduction channel (2).