FR3110278A1 - heating device detachable from a lateral packaging body for radioactive material, comprising a jacket filled with heat transfer liquid - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for radioactive material, which comprises a package (2) and a device (30) for heating a side body (20) of the package. The heating device (30) comprises at least one jacket (31) which has an external side wall (52) which extends continuously in a longitudinal direction (X-X) of the packaging. The liner (31) is located around the side body (20) and outside the package (2). The external side wall (52) of the jacket (31) at least partially delimits a heat transfer liquid filling space (37) which is at least partially filled with heat transfer liquid and which is in thermal contact with an external wall (24). of the side body (20) of the packaging (2). The heater (30) is mechanically detachably connected to the side body (20) of the package (2). Figure for abstract: figure 3

Description

heating device detachable from a container side body for radioactive material, comprising a jacket filled with heat transfer liquid

The invention relates to packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material, such as fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies. More specifically, the invention relates to the drying of a cavity of the packaging after loading the radioactive material into the packaging.

PRIOR ART

Some radioactive material storage and/or transport containers are loaded with radioactive material by being immersed in a loading pit.

Before transporting the radioactive material, the water inside the packaging in the radioactive material housing cavity is drained out of the packaging.

The packaging containing the radioactive material is then dried. The packaging is depressurized to better evacuate the residual water in the housing cavity, particularly in the form of water vapour. It is also known to bring heat into the housing cavity of the package to promote the vaporization of the residual water in the depressurized housing cavity.

Dry, preheated air can be introduced inside the housing cavity of the packaging to dry the packaging according to the teaching of document EP 1 429 344 A1.

Nevertheless, the drying of packaging for radioactive material can be further improved, in particular by reducing the drying time of the packaging and the radioactive material it contains.

The invention aims to at least partially solve the problems encountered in the solutions of the prior art.

In this respect, the subject of the invention is a device for radioactive material, which comprises a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of the radioactive material, and a device for heating a side body of the packaging.

The package includes a side body. The side body comprises an outer wall of the packaging and it partially delimits a cavity for housing the radioactive material.

According to the invention, the heating device comprises at least one jacket which comprises an outer side wall which extends continuously in a longitudinal direction of the packaging. The shirt is located around the side body and outside the package. The outer side wall of the jacket at least partially delimits a heat transfer liquid filling space which is at least partially filled with heat transfer liquid and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall of the side body of the packaging.

The heater is detachably mechanically connected to the side body of the package.

Thanks to the invention, the drying of the packaging containing the radioactive material is improved. The drying time of the package is reduced due to the heat input by the heating device. The heat transfer liquid, typically water, improves the heating of the package compared to a hot gas which is introduced into the housing cavity of the package.

The heating device is located outside the packaging, which limits radiological contamination of the heating device by the radioactive material and which facilitates assembly and separation of the heating device from the packaging.

By being detachable from the packaging, the heating device facilitates the transport of the packaging. The packaging containing the radioactive material can be transported when it has been dried and the heating device has been separated from the packaging. The mass and size of the heating device are then not detrimental to the transport of the packaging to its place of storage or storage.

The heating device can comply with lower mechanical strength and thermal resistance constraints than those which the packaging complies with for its transport, its warehousing and/or its storage, by being attached only temporarily to the packaging in order to dry the packaging .

The heating device can be assembled or separated successively from several packages. The heating device can in particular remain on a radioactive material loading site, while each packaging is transported to a place of storage or storage of the radioactive material, when the packaging has been dried. The radioactive material loading site includes, for example, a loading pit and a packaging preparation pit.

The invention may optionally include one or more of the following characteristics, combined or not.

According to a particular embodiment, the outer side wall of the jacket extends continuously over the majority of the side body of the packaging in a longitudinal direction of the packaging.

Preferably, the outer side wall of the liner extends continuously over at least 70% of the height of the packaging in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

According to a particular embodiment, the outer side wall of the jacket extends continuously around the majority of the side body of the packaging in a circumferential direction of the packaging.

Preferably, the outer side wall of the liner extends continuously over at least 70% of the circumferential length of the packaging in the circumferential direction of the packaging.

Alternatively, the heating device may include jackets which are separated around the side body in a circumferential direction of the package.

As a further variant, the heating device may comprise jackets which are longitudinally separated in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

When the heating device comprises separate jackets, they may be contiguous or spaced apart.

The heating device promotes the drying of the packaging, due to the large thermal contact surface between the side body of the packaging and the heating device.

According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises a means for connecting the sleeve to the side body of the packaging. The connecting means is configured to releasably connect the sleeve to the side body. The means for connecting the jacket to the side body may in particular form part of the heating device and/or of the packaging.

Preferably, the connecting means comprises at least one connecting plate extending radially relative to the outer wall of the side body of the packaging between the outer wall of the packaging and the outer side wall of the jacket.

Preferably, the connection plate is fixed to the outer wall of the side body of the packaging and/or the connection plate is integral with the outer side wall of the jacket.

According to a particular embodiment, the connection means comprises a sealing means for sealingly connecting the sleeve to the side body of the packaging. The sealing means comprises at least one seal. Preferably, the seal comprises an inflatable seal.

The sealing means limits leakage of heat transfer liquid from the filling space when the heating device is connected to the packaging. The sealing means may in particular form part of the heating device and/or of the packaging.

According to a particular embodiment, the shirt comprises a bottom wall enveloping a bottom of the packaging.

Preferably, the bottom wall is integral with the outer side wall of the jacket. Alternatively, the bottom wall is for example attached and fixed to the outer side wall of the jacket.

Preferably, the device comprises means for connecting the bottom wall to the bottom of the packaging, for detachably connecting the heating device to the bottom of the packaging.

Preferably, the means for connecting the bottom wall to the bottom of the packaging comprises at least one support for the packaging.

The bottom wall of the jacket makes it possible to increase the volume of the filling space, as well as the thermal contact surface between the packaging and the heating device, which improves the heating of the packaging and reduces the time of drying. The device may be devoid of sealing means for connecting the lower end of the side wall of the jacket to the body of the packaging, which tends to facilitate the connection of the heating device to the packaging.

According to a particular embodiment, the packaging comprises cooling elements which are rigidly secured to the outer wall of the side body of the packaging and which project from the outer wall of the side body towards the outside of the packaging.

Preferably, the distance between the outer side wall of the jacket and the outer wall of the side body of the packaging is greater than the maximum length of the cooling elements in a radial direction of the packaging.

Preferably, each cooling element is formed by a cooling fin.

The cooling elements promote heat exchange by convection between the side body of the packaging and the outside of the packaging.

As a variant, the cooling elements can be formed by plates extending for example along the longitudinal direction of the package.

As a further variant, the outer wall of the side body of the packaging is devoid of cooling elements.

According to another particular embodiment, the jacket comprises an internal side wall, the heat transfer liquid filling space is delimited laterally between the internal side wall and the external side wall.

Preferably, the inner side wall is in direct mechanical contact with the outer wall of the packaging.

Preferably, the jacket is tight to the heat transfer liquid before it is connected to the packaging.

Alternatively, the jacket has no inner side wall. The filling space is then delimited laterally by the outer side wall of the jacket and the outer wall of the side body of the packaging.

According to a particular embodiment, the heating device comprises an electric heating means which is configured to heat the heat transfer liquid.

Preferably, the electrical heating means comprises an electrical heating resistor. The electric heating means comprises for example a heating mat which comprises at least one electric heating resistor. Such a heating mat may comprise a flexible silicone body.

Preferably, the electric heating means is located inside the filling space or on the outer surface of the outer side wall of the jacket. Alternatively, the electric heating means extends for example at least partially around the jacket.

As a variant or in addition, the device for radioactive material comprises a heating element for heating the heat transfer liquid outside the heating device, in particular in a heat transfer liquid circuit.

According to a particular embodiment, the device comprises a heat transfer liquid supply circuit and a heat transfer liquid evacuation circuit from the heating device.

The heat transfer liquid supply circuit is fluidically connected to a heat transfer liquid inlet of the jacket. The heat transfer liquid evacuation circuit is fluidically connected to a heat transfer liquid outlet of the jacket.

Preferably, the heat transfer liquid supply circuit, the heat transfer liquid discharge circuit and the heating device together form a closed circuit for the circulation of heat transfer liquid. Alternatively, the coolant circuit is an open circuit.

Preferably, the heat transfer liquid evacuation circuit is a heat transfer liquid return circuit to a heat transfer liquid reservoir.

According to a particular embodiment, the heat transfer liquid supply circuit comprises a heating element which is configured to heat the heat transfer liquid supplying the heating device. The heating element comprises for example an electric resistor.

Preferably, the device comprises a bypass branch which fluidically connects the supply circuit to the bypass evacuation circuit of the heating device. The bypass branch notably comprises a valve which is configured to be opened when the temperature of the heat transfer liquid is below a threshold value. This threshold value is for example predetermined.

The invention also relates to a device for heating the side body of the packaging for the storage, storage or transport of radioactive material.

According to the invention, the heating device comprises at least one jacket which comprises an outer side wall extending continuously in a longitudinal direction of the packaging. The shirt is located around the side body and outside the package. The jacket at least partially delimits a heat transfer liquid filling space which is at least partially filled with heat transfer liquid and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall of the side body of the packaging.

The heater is detachably mechanically connected to the side body of the package.

The heater includes sealing means for sealingly connecting the jacket to the side body of the package. The sealing means comprises at least one seal.

The invention also relates to a process for drying a packaging of a device for radioactive material as defined above.

The drying process includes detachably connecting the heater to the side body of the package, with the jacket located around the side body and outside the package.

The drying process includes the heating of the side body of the packaging by the heat transfer liquid which is located in the filling space and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall of the side body of the packaging.

The packaging drying process is implemented in particular in a packaging preparation pit, after the radioactive material has been loaded into the packaging and before the packaging is transported to a storage location and/or or storage of radioactive material.

According to another particular embodiment, the drying process comprises at least partial filling of the filling space with the heat transfer liquid.

Preferably, the heat transfer liquid has been heated before filling the filling space.

Preferably, the filling space is at least partially filled with the heat transfer liquid after the heating device has been detachably connected to the side body of the package.

According to another specific embodiment, the drying process comprises depressurization of the housing cavity of the packaging.

Preferably, the drying process comprises emptying the housing cavity of the package.

According to another particular embodiment, the drying process comprises the insertion of the liner around the side body of the packaging by moving the liner, in particular in translation, relative to the packaging in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

Preferably, the jacket is inserted around the side body of the packaging by sliding the heating device around the side body in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

According to another particular embodiment, the drying process comprises the separation of the heating device from the packaging, when the housing cavity of the packaging has been dried.

Preferably, the shirt is detached from the packaging by moving the shirt, in particular in translation, relative to the packaging in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

Preferably, the shirt is detached from the packaging by sliding of the shirt relative to the packaging in the longitudinal direction of the packaging.

The present invention will be better understood on reading the description of exemplary embodiments, given purely for information and in no way limiting, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a representation in perspective and partially in section of a first container for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material, which forms part of the state of the art;

is a representation in perspective and partially in section of a second container for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material, which forms part of the state of the art;

is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of a heating device according to a first embodiment;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of the heating device according to the first embodiment;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of the heating device according to a variant of the first embodiment;

is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal section of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of a heating device according to a second embodiment;

is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal section of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of a heating device according to a third embodiment;

is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal section of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of a heating device according to a fourth embodiment;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of the heating device according to the fourth embodiment;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of the heating device according to a fifth embodiment;

is a schematic cross-sectional view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material and of the heating device according to a sixth embodiment;

illustrates a first step of connecting the heating device according to the first embodiment to a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material;

illustrates a second step of connecting the heating device according to the first embodiment to a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material;

illustrates a third step of connecting the heating device according to the first embodiment to a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material;

is a schematic view of a packaging for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material, of the heating device according to the first embodiment and of a heating element of the heating device;

illustrates a process for drying a container for radioactive material by means of a heating device according to the invention.

Identical, similar or equivalent parts of the different figures bear the same reference numerals so as to facilitate passage from one figure to another.

There represents a package 1 of radioactive material according to a first known configuration. The package 1 comprises a packaging 2 for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material. The radioactive material (not shown) comprises for example fresh or irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies or radioactive waste.

The package 1 comprises a basket 4 which is inside the packaging 2 and the radioactive material (not shown) which is housed in the basket 4. The packaging 2 and the basket 4 together form a container for the radioactive material .

The packaging 2 comprises a side body 20 which extends along a longitudinal axis X-X of the packaging. The longitudinal axis X-X of the packaging 2 is the longitudinal axis of the package 1. The packaging 2 is closed on either side of the side body 20 in the direction of the longitudinal axis X-X by a lid 7 and by a background 6.

The side body 20 is delimited radially inwards by an internal wall 21 which is formed by a steel ferrule. It is delimited radially outwards by an outer wall 24 of metal. Side body 20 includes neutron shielding material 22 which is located radially between inner wall 21 and outer wall 24.

The internal wall 21 delimits radially towards the outside a housing cavity 5 of the packaging 2 inside which the basket 4 is housed. The housing cavity 5 is delimited axially on the one hand by the cover 7 and by on the other side by the bottom 6.

In this document and unless otherwise specified, the adjective "axial" means substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX of the packaging, the adjective "radial" means oriented in a direction substantially perpendicular to this axis and the adjective " transverse” means along a plane substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis XX and secant with this axis. A circumferential direction CC is a direction locally orthogonal to the radial direction and to the longitudinal direction XX of the basket in at least one cross-sectional plane of the packaging. The terms "lower" and "upper" are defined relative to the longitudinal axis XX of the packaging 2 in the usual position of the packaging 2 which is shown in .

The basket 4 comprises a plurality of adjacent cells 41, the latter each extending along the longitudinal axis XX of the basket. The cells 41 are shaped to each receive a fuel assembly which is of complementary shape to that of the cell 41. With reference to the , the cells 41 and the fuel assemblies are of square section.

The side body 20 of the packaging 2 has a shape which is adapted to the housing of the basket 4 in the housing cavity 5. In the package 1 which is shown in , the package 1 is cylindrical with a circular section around the longitudinal axis XX of the package.

There represents a package 1 of radioactive material according to a second known configuration. The package 1 according to the second configuration is mainly distinguished from that according to the first configuration by the structure of the side body 20 of the packaging.

With reference to the , the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging is formed of a plurality of wall elements 26 which are contiguous in pairs and located in the circumferential direction CC of the packaging 2. The outer wall 24 bears a plurality of cooling fins 28 which are rigidly secured to the wall elements 26 projecting from the wall elements 26 towards the outside of the packaging 2. The cooling fins 28 form cooling elements which are designed to contribute to the evacuation of the heat coming from the radioactive material in the housing cavity 5 towards the outside of the packaging 2 and more particularly, to promote heat exchanges by convection between the side body 20 of the packaging and the outside of the packaging 2.

Figures 3 to 8 show a heating device 30 which is detachably connected to the side body 20 of a packaging 2 for radioactive material. The basket 4 which is housed in the housing cavity 5 of the packaging, as well as the radioactive material which is housed in the basket 4 are not represented to simplify the reading of figures 3 to 10.

With reference to the first embodiment of the heating device 30 which is shown in and at the , the heating device 30 comprises a jacket 31, an inlet 34 of heat transfer liquid, and an outlet 36 of heat transfer liquid. The heating device 30 at least partially delimits a space 37 for filling with heat transfer liquid, to heat the package 2. In each of the embodiments, the heat transfer liquid is typically water, due to the high volumetric heat capacity some water.

The heating device 30 extends around the majority of the side body 20 along the circumferential direction C-C of the package, in particular at least 75% of the circumferential length of the body 20 of the package. The heating device 30 extends over the majority of the side body 20 of the packaging in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging.

The heater 30 is configured to heat the side body 20 of the package to heat by thermal conduction through the side body 20 the housing cavity 5 of the package and the radioactive material that is in the housing cavity 5. The supply of additional heat into the housing cavity 5 by the heating device 30 promotes the vaporization of the residual water in the packaging 2, which in particular decreases the drying time of the packaging 2 and of the radioactive material. that it contains.

The sleeve 31 is located around the side body 20 of the packaging and outside the packaging 2. The sleeve 31 has a shape adapted to that of the outer wall 24 of the side body of the packaging, in particular a shape complementary to that of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 from which it is spaced by a substantially constant distance.

Liner 31 includes outer side wall 52, lower tie plate 58a, upper tie plate 58b, lower seal ring 38a, and upper seal ring 38b. The outer side wall 52, the lower connecting plate 58a and the upper connecting plate 58b form a single piece.

The outer side wall 52 of the sleeve 31 delimits the sleeve 31 radially outwards. In the first embodiment shown, the outer side wall 52 is cylindrical with a circular section around the longitudinal axis X-X of the packaging. It extends continuously over at least 75% of the length of the packaging in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging. It extends continuously all around the packaging in the circumferential direction C-C of the packaging. The outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31 is crossed by the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 and by the heat transfer liquid outlet 36.

The heat transfer liquid inlet 34 and the heat transfer liquid outlet 36 each comprise a duct passing through the outer side wall 52 of the jacket. They are opposite each other along the longitudinal direction of the sleeve 31. In the embodiment shown, they are also diametrically opposite each other relative to the longitudinal axis X-X of the packaging, to lengthen the path of the heat transfer liquid in the heating device 30 around the packaging 2 and to promote heat exchange between the heat transfer liquid and the interior of the packaging 2.

The lower connection plate 58a is located at a lower longitudinal end of the sleeve 31. It extends radially from the outer side wall 52 towards the side body 20 of the packaging, around the side body 20 of the packaging. The lower connection plate 58a delimits radially inwardly a lower opening 53 which is shown in , to insert the sleeve 31 around the side body 20 of the packaging by moving the sleeve 31 relative to the packaging 2 in translation along the longitudinal direction XX of the packaging. In the first embodiment shown, the lower connecting plate 58a has a disc shape hollowed out at its center.

The upper connection plate 58b is located at an upper longitudinal end of the sleeve 31. It extends radially from the outer side wall 52 towards the side body 20 of the packaging, around the side body 20 of the packaging. The upper connecting plate 58b delimits radially inwardly an upper opening 55 which is shown in , to insert the sleeve 31 around the side body 20 of the packaging by moving the sleeve 31 relative to the packaging 2 in translation along the longitudinal direction XX of the packaging. In the first embodiment shown, the upper connecting plate 58b has a disc shape hollowed out at its center. It has a shape identical to that of the lower connecting plate 58a.

The lower seal 38a is an inflatable annular seal. It is located between the radially inner end of the lower connecting plate 58a and the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging which it connects in a sealed manner to each other.

The top seal 38b is also an inflatable ring seal. It has a structure identical to that of the lower seal 38a. The upper seal 38b is located between the radially inner end of the upper connecting plate 58b and the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging which it connects in a sealed manner to one another.

The lower gasket 38a and the upper gasket 38b together form a sealing means 38 for sealingly connecting the jacket 31 of the heater 30 to the side body 20 of the package.

The lower gasket 38a, the upper gasket 38b, the lower connecting plate 58a and the upper connecting plate 58b form a connecting means 58 of the heating device 30 to the packaging 2, for connecting in a manner detachable the shirt 31 to the side body 20 of the package.

The filling space 37 of heat transfer liquid is an annular conduit between the jacket 31 and the side body 20 of the packaging. The heat transfer liquid filling space 37 is delimited radially by the inner surface of the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31 and by the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20. The heat transfer liquid filling space 37 is delimited at its lower end by the lower connecting plate 58a and by the lower seal 38a. The heat transfer liquid filling space 37 is delimited at its upper end by the upper connection plate 58b and by the upper seal 38b.

The heat transfer liquid filling space 37 is designed to be filled with heat transfer liquid which circulates therein between the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 and the heat transfer liquid outlet 36. With reference to the , the filling space 37 is completely filled with heat transfer liquid. The filling space 37 forms a thermal volume of sufficient heat capacity when it is filled with heat transfer liquid to heat the packaging so that the housing cavity 5 of the packaging and the radioactive material in the packaging 2 reach a temperature sufficient to dry the packaging, for example 38°C.

There represents a packaging 2 of radioactive material, the heating device according to the first embodiment which has been described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 3a, as well as a circuit 70 of heat transfer liquid.

The heat transfer liquid circuit 70 comprises a heat transfer liquid reservoir 71, a heat transfer liquid supply circuit 80, a heat transfer liquid return circuit 90 and a bypass branch 74. The heat transfer liquid circuit 70 is a closed circuit.

The heat transfer liquid supply circuit 80 comprises, upstream to downstream on the path of the heat transfer liquid, a flow and pressure regulator 82, a flow and pressure measuring device 84, a heating element 86, a measuring device temperature 88, and a supply valve 87 of the heating device. The supply circuit 80 comprises a heat transfer liquid supply conduit 83 which conveys the heat transfer liquid from the reservoir 71 to the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 of the heating device 30. The heat transfer liquid supply circuit 80 is configured to supply hot heat transfer liquid to the inlet 34 of the heating device 30.

The flow and pressure regulator 82 comprises for example a valve. It is configured to regulate the flow and the pressure of the heat transfer liquid downstream of the tank 71 and which circulates towards the heating element 86.

The flow and pressure measuring device 84 comprises a flow sensor and/or a pressure sensor. It is configured to determine the flow rate and the pressure of heat transfer liquid at the outlet of the flow and pressure regulator 82.

The supply circuit 80 includes a pressure regulation loop 81. The pressure regulation loop 81 is used to control the flow and pressure regulator 82 from the determination of the flow and pressure of the coolant liquid by the measures 84.

The heating element 86 comprises for example an electrical resistor in a heating enclosure. It is configured to heat the heat transfer liquid coming from the reservoir 71 so that it has a sufficient temperature at the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 of the heating device 30.

The temperature measuring device 88 includes a temperature sensor. It is configured to measure the temperature of the heat transfer liquid before it is introduced into the heating device 30.

The power supply circuit 80 includes a temperature regulation loop 85. The temperature regulation loop 85 is used to control the heating element 86 from the temperature measurement of the coolant liquid by the temperature measurement device 88.

The supply valve 87 of the heating device is fluidically located between the temperature measuring device 88 and the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 in the heating device 30. It is configured to be open and allow heat transfer liquid to flow towards the inlet 34 of heat transfer liquid when the temperature of the heat transfer liquid measured by the temperature measuring device 88 is greater than or equal to a threshold value which is predetermined, for example 80° C. It is configured to be closed and block the circulation of heat transfer liquid to the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 when the temperature of the heat transfer liquid is strictly lower than the predetermined threshold value.

The coolant liquid return circuit 90 comprises a return valve 97 and a coolant liquid return conduit 93 to the reservoir 71. The return conduit 93 fluidly connects the coolant liquid outlet 36 of the heating device 30 to the reservoir 71, through the return valve 97. The coolant liquid return circuit 90 is configured to return the coolant liquid from the coolant liquid circuit 70 to the tank 71.

The heater return valve 97 is located downstream of the heat transfer liquid outlet 36 of the heater 30. It is configured to be open and allow heat transfer liquid to flow to the reservoir 71 when the filling space 37 is sufficiently filled and that the inlet 34 of the heating device is supplied with heat transfer liquid, or to empty the filling space 37.

The bypass branch 74 of coolant liquid comprises a bypass valve 77 and a bypass pipe 73. The bypass pipe 73 is fluidly connected to the supply circuit 80 between the temperature measuring device 88 and the supply valve 87 Bypass conduit 73 is fluidly connected to return circuit 90 between outlet 36 of heater 30 and reservoir 71.

The bypass valve 77 is configured to be opened when the temperature of the heat transfer liquid measured by the temperature measuring device 88 is lower than the threshold value, typically 80°C. The supply 87 and return 97 valves are then closed. The bypass valve 77 is configured to be closed when the temperature of the coolant liquid is above the threshold value. The supply 87 and return 97 valves are then open.

The drying method 100 of a package for the transport, storage and/or storage of radioactive material by means of a heating device 30 according to the first embodiment is described below with joint reference to FIGS. , 3a, 10, and 11 .

With more specific reference to the first embodiment, the heat transfer liquid of the heat transfer liquid circuit 70 is first heated until it reaches the predetermined threshold value, typically 80° C., which is measured by the temperature measuring device 88. Supply valve 87 and return valve 97 are closed. Bypass valve 77 is opened to circulate coolant from reservoir 71 to heater 86 where it is heated through supply circuit 80. The coolant is then routed from heater 86 to to reservoir 71 through branch branch 74.

With reference to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 9c, the drying process 100 comprises the detachable connection 101 of the heating device 30 to the side body 20 of the packaging after having placed the latter in a loading pit for the radioactive material in packaging 2. The sleeve 31 of the heating device 30 is inserted around the side body 20 of the packaging 2 and outside the packaging 2 by moving the sleeve 31 in translation relative to the packaging 2 according to the X-X longitudinal direction of the package. The lower connecting plate 58a and the upper connecting plate 58b slide along the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the package through the lower opening 53 and the upper opening 55, when the sleeve 31 is inserted around the side body 20. The heating device 30 is in particular inserted around the packaging 2 by sliding at least part of the connection means 58 relative to the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging.

The lower seal 38a is then inflated between the lower connecting plate 58a and the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the package to seal the lower end of the jacket 31, closing the opening lower 53 in a sealed manner. The upper seal 38b is then inflated between the upper connection plate 58b and the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging to seal the upper end of the jacket 31, in particular by closing the upper opening 55 in a sealed manner. More generally, the sealing means 38 is placed between the sleeve 31 and the side body 20 of the packaging to connect the heating device 30 to the packaging 2 in a sealed manner.

The method 100 of drying the packaging comprises for example a step of filling 103 of the jacket 31 of the heating device 30 with heat transfer liquid, typically water. The heat transfer liquid is then at room temperature. Housing cavity 5, which does not yet house any radioactive material, is also filled with water or heat transfer liquid.

The drying process 100 of the packaging continues with a loading 131 of the radioactive material into the housing cavity 5 of the packaging. During the loading 131 of the radioactive material, the packaging 2 and the heating device which is integral with the packaging 2 are immersed.

The packaging 2 containing the radioactive material and the heating device 30 which is integral with the packaging 2 are removed from the loading pit. The housing cavity 5 of the packaging and the radioactive material it contains are dried in a packaging preparation pit.

The package drying process 100 comprises a package emptying step 105, in which the housing cavity 5 of the package is emptied by draining through drainage holes of the package 2.

The heat transfer liquid inlet 34 is then fluidly connected to the heat transfer liquid supply circuit 80. The heat transfer liquid outlet 36 is fluidically connected to the return circuit 90 of the heat transfer liquid. The filling space 37 of the heating device 30 is filled with hot heat transfer liquid, in particular gradually by circulation of heat transfer liquid in the heat transfer liquid circuit 70 through the heating device 30. The housing cavity 5 of the packaging 2 and the radioactive material in the housing cavity 5 are gradually heated by the heat transfer liquid, in particular by thermal conduction through the side body 20 of the packaging during a heating step 107 of the packaging 2.

The housing cavity 5 of the package 2 is fluidically connected to a depressurization device which comprises a pump, to depressurize the housing cavity 5 during a depressurization step 108. The depressurization 108 of the housing cavity 5 and the heating 107 of the packaging 2 make it possible to dry the packaging in a reasonable time, by encouraging the vaporization of the residual water in the packaging 2 after the emptying step 105.

The drying method 100 of the packaging comprises a step of draining 111 of the heating device in which the filling space 37 is drained. The return valve 97 is open while the supply valve 87 is closed to empty the filling space 37 and route the heat transfer liquid it contains to the reservoir 71 of the heat transfer liquid circuit 70.

The packaging drying process 100 ends with a step 113 of separating the heating device 30 from the packaging, when the housing cavity 5 and the radioactive material it contains have been dried. The heating device 30 is detached from the side body 20 of the packaging 2 by displacement in translation relative to the packaging 2 in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging.

The lower 38a and upper 38b seals are deflated. The coolant liquid inlet 34 is fluidically disconnected from the supply circuit 80 and the coolant liquid outlet 36 is also fluidically disconnected from the coolant liquid return circuit 90.

The lower connecting plate 58a and the upper connecting plate 58b then slide along the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the package through the lower opening 53 and the upper opening 55. More generally , the heating device 30 is detached from the packaging 2 by sliding at least part of the connection means 58 relative to the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging.

There represents an alternative embodiment of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment which is represented in FIGS. 3 and 3a. With reference to the , the heating device 30 may comprise jackets 32 which are separated around the side body 20 in a circumferential direction CC of the package. These liners 32 each define a space 37 for filling heat transfer liquid between the outer side wall 52 of the liner 32 and the outer wall 24 of the side body.

More specifically, the heating device 30 according to the variant embodiment comprises two jackets 32 which are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction C-C of the package. Each of these liners 32 has a structure similar to that of the liner 31 according to the first embodiment. The joint volume of the filling spaces 37 of the two jackets 32 is substantially equal to the volume of the filling space 37 of the jacket 31 of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment.

The mass and size of each of the jackets 32 of the heating device of this variant embodiment are lower than those of the jacket 31 of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment. On the other hand, it is easier to connect the sleeve 31 of the heating device according to the first embodiment in a sealed manner to the side body 20 of the packaging.

The connection of the heating device 30 to the packaging 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment to the packaging 2, except that two jackets 32 are connected to the outer wall 24 of the side body of the package 2 instead of just one. Each of the sleeves 32 can in particular be moved radially relative to the outer wall 24 of the side body, which tends to facilitate the mechanical connection of the sleeves 32 to the side body 20.

There shows a second embodiment of the heating device 30 which differs from that of the first embodiment by the structure of the jacket 31 of the heating device 30. The jacket 31 of the heating device 30 comprises a bottom wall 54 enveloping a bottom 6 of packaging 2. Bottom wall 54 is integral with outer side wall 52 of sleeve 31. More generally, bottom wall 54 is rigidly secured to outer side wall 52 of sleeve 31.

The filling space 37 of heat transfer liquid is delimited radially by the outer surface of the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 of the packaging and by the inner surface of the outer side wall 52 of the jacket. It is delimited downwards in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging by the external surface of the bottom 6 of the packaging, the internal surface of the bottom wall 54 and upwards by the connecting plate 58a.

The bottom 6 of the packaging is detachably connected to the bottom wall 54 of the jacket 31 by a support 25 of the packaging. The support 25 of the packaging forms a means of connection of the bottom wall 54 to the bottom of the packaging 6. The bottom wall 54 and the support 25 of the packaging replace the lower connecting plate 58a and the gasket. lower sealing 38a of the heating device according to the first embodiment.

The bottom wall 54 of the jacket makes it possible to increase the volume of the filling space 37 and the thermal contact surface between the packaging 2 and the heating device 30, which improves the heating of the packaging 2 and reduces the drying time of the package 2. The absence of lower seal 38a and lower connection plate 58a tend to facilitate the connection of the heating device 30 to the package 2. On the other hand, the device for heating device 30 according to the first embodiment has a mass and a smaller size than those of the heating device according to the second embodiment.

The connection of the heating device 30 to the packaging 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment to the packaging 2, except that the packaging 2 and its support 25 are moved in downward translation in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging 2 until the packaging 2 and its support 25 are placed on the bottom wall 54 of the jacket. The heating device 30 is detachably connected to the packaging 2 without sliding of the heating device 30 relative to the packaging 2.

There shows a third embodiment of the heating device 30 which differs from that of the first embodiment by the structure of the connection means 58 of the jacket 31 to the outer wall 24 of the side body 20.

The package 2 comprises cooling elements 28 which project from the outer wall 24 of the side body 20 towards the outside of the package 2, in accordance with the package which is shown in . These cooling elements 28 are formed by cooling fins.

The packaging 2 comprises lower 27a and upper 27b support plates of the jacket 31 which are rigidly fixed to the external wall 24 of the body of the packaging and which project from the external wall 24 of the side body 20 towards the exterior of the packaging 2. These support plates 27 are located at a lower longitudinal end and at an upper longitudinal end of the sleeve 31, when the sleeve 31 is connected to the packaging 2. They extend radially from the wall 24 of the side body 20 to the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31, around the side body 20 of the package. The radial length of each support plate 27 is greater than the radial length of the cooling elements 28, so that the cooling elements 28 are enveloped by the jacket 31 being housed in the filling space 37 when the heating device 30 is secured to the side body 20.

The sleeve 31 is equipped with a lower seal 38a and an upper seal 38b. The lower gasket 38a and the upper gasket 38b together form a sealing means 38 for sealingly connecting the jacket 31 of the heater 30 to the side body 20 of the package. The sealing means 38 has substantially the same structure as that of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment.

The heating device 30 according to the third embodiment makes it possible to improve the drying of a packaging 2 comprising cooling elements 28.

The connection of the heating device 30 according to the third embodiment to the packaging 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment to the packaging 2, taking care not to damage the elements cooling 28 when connecting.

There shows a fourth embodiment of the heating device 30 which differs from that of the first embodiment by the structure of the jacket 31 of the heating device.

Jacket 31 of heater 30 includes inner side wall 51 which opposes outer side wall 52 of the jacket, bottom plate 59a and cover plate 59b. The sleeve 31 is in one piece.

More generally, the bottom plate 59a is rigidly secured to the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31. The jacket 31 is hermetically closed before its connection to the side body 20 of the packaging, and it forms a sealed envelope for the heat transfer liquid. , when the coolant liquid inlet 34 and the coolant liquid outlet 36 are hermetically closed.

The heat transfer liquid filling space 37 is delimited radially by the inner surface of the outer side wall 52 of the jacket and by the inner side wall 51. It is delimited downwards in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging by the inner surface of bottom plate 59a. It is delimited upwards in the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging by the internal surface of the cover plate 59b.

The internal side wall 51, the bottom plate 59a and the cover plate 59b replace the means of connection 58 of the sleeve 31 to the side body 20 of the packaging. It is easier to connect the sleeve 31 of the heating device according to the fourth embodiment in a sealed manner to the side body 20 of the packaging. Nevertheless, the mass and size of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment are lower, and it is easier to ensure direct thermal contact of the heat transfer liquid with the side body 20 of the packaging than to ensure indirect thermal contact of the heat transfer liquid in the filling space 37 through the internal wall 51 of the jacket 31.

There shows a fifth embodiment of the heating device 30 and the shows a sixth embodiment of the heating device 30 which differ from that of the first embodiment in that they each further comprise an electric heating means 42, 43 which is configured to heat the heat transfer liquid of the space filler 37. This electric heating means 42, 43 comprises an electric heating resistor. It extends at least partially around the sleeve 31.

The electric heating means 42, 43 can dispense with heating element 86 from a heat transfer liquid circuit 70, to heat the heat transfer liquid before it is introduced to the inlet 34 of the heating device 30. The heating means 42, 43 can optionally dispense from the closed circuit of heat transfer liquid 70. Alternatively, the electric heating means 42, 43 can also provide additional heating to the heating element 86 of the heat transfer liquid circuit 70.

With more specific reference to the fifth embodiment which is shown in , the electric heating means 42 is located on an outer surface of the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31 of the heating device. The electric heating means 42 extends all around the jacket 31 in the circumferential direction CC of the side body 20 of the package. It extends substantially over the entire height of the liner in the longitudinal direction XX of the liner 31. The electric heating means 42 notably comprises a flexible heating mat, for example made of silicone, which includes electric heating resistors.

The electric heating means 42 is located outside the filling space 37, which prevents it from being damaged by the hot heat transfer liquid. The electric heating means 42 promotes the drying of the package, due to the large thermal contact surface between the jacket 31 and the electric heating means 42.

The connection of the heater 30 according to the fifth embodiment to the package 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heater 30 according to the first embodiment to the package 2, except that the electrical heating means 42 can be secured, in particular in a detachable manner, to the outer surface of the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31 before or after the connection of the jacket 31 to the side body 20 of the packaging 2.

With more specific reference to the sixth embodiment which is shown in , the heating device 30 comprises electric heating means 43 which are distributed substantially uniformly around the circumferential direction CC of the package. They can also be distributed along the longitudinal direction XX of the package. The electric heating means 43 each comprise a heating resistance fixed to the internal surface of the external side wall 52 of the jacket 31.

The electric heating means 43 are in the filling space 37, which allows faster heating of the heat transfer liquid in the filling space 37. The electric heating means 43 are better protected against lateral impacts of the heating device 30, being mechanically protected by the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31.

The connection of the heating device 30 according to the sixth embodiment to the packaging 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heating device 30 according to the first embodiment to the packaging 2.

Thanks to the invention, the drying of the packaging 2 containing the radioactive material is improved. The drying time of the packaging 2 decreases due to the heat input by the heating device 30. The heat transfer liquid, typically water, improves the heating of the packaging 2 compared to a hot gas which is introduced into the housing cavity 5 of the packaging 2.

The heating device 30 is located outside the packaging 2, which limits the radiological contamination of the heating device 30 by the radioactive material and which facilitates the assembly and the separation of the heating device 30 from the packaging 2.

The heating device 30 and the drying process promote the drying of the packaging 2, due to the large thermal contact surface between the side body 20 of the packaging and the heating device 30.

By being detachable from the packaging 2, the heating device 30 allows the transport of the packaging 2. The packaging 2 containing the radioactive material can be transported when it has been dried and the heating device 30 has been detached of the packaging 2. The mass and size of the heating device 30 are not detrimental to the transport of the packaging 2 to its place of storage or storage, when the heating device 30 has been separated from the packaging 2.

The heating device 30 can comply with lower mechanical strength and thermal resistance constraints than those which the packaging 2 complies with for its transport, its warehousing and/or its storage, by being attached only temporarily to the packaging 2 to dry packaging 2.

The heating device 30 can be assembled or detached successively from several packagings 2. The heating device 30 can in particular remain on a radioactive material loading site, which comprises the loading pit and the preparation pit, while each packaging 2 is transported to a place of storage or storage of the radioactive material, when the packaging 2 has been dried.

Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described without departing from the scope of the description of the invention.

The fuel assemblies of the radioactive material and/or the cells 41 of the basket 4 can also adopt shapes other than a square shape, such as a hexagonal shape, in cross section.

The shape of the housing cavity 5 can also vary. The housing cavity 5 is for example of hexagonal cross-section rather than circular. In general, the outer contour of the basket 4 is in particular of complementary shape to that of the internal surface of the internal wall 21 of the packaging 2 which delimits the housing cavity 5.

The structure of the radioactive material container may vary. In particular, the side body 20 may comprise a single wall and/or be devoid of neutron shielding material.

The package 1 of radioactive material may possibly have no basket 4. In this case, the radioactive material is housed directly in the housing cavity 5 of the package.

As a variant of , the cooling elements 28 may be formed by plates projecting from the wall elements 26 and extending longitudinally in the longitudinal direction XX of the package. At least one of the cooling elements 28 can also comprise a disc or a segment of a disc extending radially from the outer wall 24 of the side body of the package 2. Alternatively again, the cooling elements 28 can have a shape of chevron.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, the lower connecting plate 58a and/or the upper connecting plate 58b can be attached and fixed to the outer side wall 52 of the jacket 31.

Alternatively, the lower connecting plate 58a and/or the upper connecting plate 58b can take the form of a frustoconical plate hollowed out at its center.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, each of the sleeves 31 can be connected at its lower end by several lower connection plates 38a and/or each of the sleeves 31 can be connected at its upper end by several upper connection plates 38b. Each of the lower connecting plates 38a and/or the upper connecting plates 38b then extends over a circumferential length which is less than that of the jacket 31.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the lower 38a and/or upper 38b connection plates may have an axial component. In this case, at least one of the lower 38a and/or upper 38b connection plates is inclined with respect to the radial direction.

The heating device 30 may comprise jackets 32 which are separated longitudinally along the longitudinal direction X-X of the packaging and/or circumferentially along the circumferential direction C-C of the packaging. When the heating device 30 comprises separate jackets 32, they may be contiguous or spaced apart.

According to a not shown embodiment variant of the second embodiment, the bottom wall 54 is for example fixed to the outer side wall 52 of the sleeve 31.

According to a not shown alternative embodiment of the second embodiment, the jacket 31 is secured to a support carriage designed to move the packaging 2 for radioactive material. The connection of the heating device 30 to the packaging 2 is similar to that of the connection of the heating device 30 according to the second embodiment to the packaging 2.

According to a variant embodiment not shown of the third embodiment, the bottom plate 59a and/or the cover plate 59b can be fixed to the internal side wall 51 and/or to the external side wall 52.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, each of the sleeves 31 may comprise at its lower end several bottom plates 59a and/or at its upper end several cover plates 59b. Each of the bottom plates 59a and/or the cover plates 59b then extends over a circumferential length which is less than that of the jacket 31. These bottom plates 59a and/or these cover plates 59b are connected to each other. others.

Additionally or alternatively, at least one of the bottom 59a and/or cover 59b plates may have an axial or circumferential component. In this case, at least one of the bottom 59a and/or cover 59b plates is inclined with respect to the radial direction.

According to a variant not shown of the heating device according to the fourth embodiment and according to the sixth embodiment, the heating resistors of the electric heating means 43 can also be fixed to the outer surface of the inner side wall 51 of the packaging. 2.

In general, the heat transfer liquid inlet 34 and the heat transfer liquid outlet 36 can be closed off to fluidically isolate the jacket 31 during the heating of the packaging 2. The heating device 30 is then not fluidly connected to a heat transfer liquid circuit 70 during heating of the package.

According to a variant embodiment not shown, the heat-transfer liquid circuit 70 is an open heat-transfer liquid circulation circuit. In this case, the coolant liquid return circuit 90 is replaced by a coolant liquid evacuation circuit which is not connected to the reservoir 71.

The order of the steps of the drying process 100 may vary, in particular the connection 101 of the heating device 30, the filling 103 of the filling space 37 and the heating 107 of the heat transfer liquid.

The connection 101 of the heating device 30 to the side body 20 can take place before or after the loading 131 of the radioactive material into the housing cavity 5 of the package 2. The filling space 37 can be filled before or after the heating device 30 has been connected to the packaging 2, in particular if the heating device 30 is sealed before being connected to the packaging 2. The heat transfer liquid can be heated before being introduced into the space of filling 37 and/or after being introduced into the filling space 37.

Claims (16)

Device for radioactive material, comprising:
a package (2) for the transport, storage and/or storage of the radioactive material, the package (2) comprising a side body (20), the side body (20) comprising an outer wall (24) of the packaging (2) and partially delimiting a housing cavity (5) for the radioactive material,
characterized in that the device comprises a device (30) for heating the side body (20) of the packaging (2), comprising at least one jacket (31, 32) which comprises an outer side wall (52) extending continuously in a longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging,
the jacket (31, 32) being located around the side body (20) and outside the packaging (2), the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32) delimiting at least partially
a heat transfer liquid filling space (37) which is at least partially filled with heat transfer liquid and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2),
the heater (30) being detachably mechanically connected to the side body (20) of the package (2). Device according to the preceding claim, in which the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32) extends continuously over the majority of the side body (20) of the packaging (2) in a longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging, preferably over at least 70% of the height of the packaging (2) in the longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging, and/or
the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32) extends continuously around the majority of the side body (20) of the package (2) in a circumferential direction (CC) of the package, preferably over at least 70% of the circumferential length of the package in the circumferential direction (CC) of the package. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising means for connecting (58) the sleeve (31, 32) to the side body (20) of the packaging (2), configured to detachably connect the sleeve (31 , 32) to the side body (20),
the connection means (58) preferably comprising at least one connection plate (58a, 58b) extending radially with respect to the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the package (2) between the wall outer (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2) and the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32),
the connection plate (58a, 58b) being very preferably fixed to the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2) and/or the connection plate (58a, 58b) being integral with the wall outer side (52) of the sleeve (31, 32). Device according to the preceding claim, in which the connecting means (58) comprises sealing means (38) for sealingly connecting the jacket (31, 32) to the side body (20) of the packaging (2), the sealing means (38) comprising at least one seal (38a, 38b), the seal (38a, 38b) preferably comprising an inflatable seal. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the jacket (31, 32) comprises a bottom wall (54) enveloping a bottom (6) of the packaging (2), the bottom wall (54) being of preferably in one piece with the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32),
the device preferably comprising means for connecting the bottom wall (54) to the bottom (6) of the packaging (2), for detachably connecting the heating device (30) to the bottom (6) of the packaging (2),
the means for connecting the bottom wall (54) to the bottom (6) of the packaging (2) very preferably comprising at least one support (25) of the packaging (2). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the packaging (2) comprises cooling elements (28) which are rigidly fixed to the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2). and which project from the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) towards the outside of the packaging (2), the cooling elements (28) preferably comprising cooling fins,
the distance between the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32) and the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2) being in particular greater than the maximum length of the cooling elements ( 28) in a radial direction of the package. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the jacket (31, 32) comprises an internal side wall (51), the space for filling (37) with heat transfer liquid being delimited laterally between the internal side wall (51) and the outer side wall (52), the inner side wall (51) being in particular in contact with the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2),
the jacket (31, 32) preferably being impermeable to the heat transfer liquid, in particular before its connection to the packaging (2). Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the heating device (30) comprises electrical heating means (42, 43) which is configured to heat the heat transfer liquid,
the electric heating means (42, 43) preferably comprising an electric heating resistor,
the electric heating means (42, 43) being located inside the filling space (37) or on an outer surface of the outer side wall (52) of the jacket (31, 32),
the electrical heating means (42, 43) preferably extending at least partially around the jacket (31, 32). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:
a heat transfer liquid supply circuit (80) of the heating device (30), which is fluidly connected to a heat transfer liquid inlet (34) of the jacket (31, 32), and
a heat transfer liquid evacuation circuit (90) from the heating device (30), which is fluidically connected to a heat transfer liquid outlet (36) of the jacket (31, 32),
the heat transfer liquid supply circuit (80), the heat transfer liquid discharge circuit (90) and the heating device (30) preferably forming a closed circuit for the circulation of heat transfer liquid,
the heat transfer liquid evacuation circuit (90) being in particular a heat transfer liquid return circuit to a heat transfer liquid reservoir (71). Device according to the preceding claim, in which the heat transfer liquid supply circuit (80) comprises a heating element (86) configured to heat the heat transfer liquid supplying the heating device (30). Device (30) for heating the side body (20) of a packaging (2) for the storage, storage or transport of radioactive material, characterized in that it comprises at least one jacket (31, 32) which comprises an outer side wall (52) extending continuously in a longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging,
the jacket (31, 32) being located around the side body (20) and outside the packaging (2), the jacket (31, 32) at least partially delimiting a space for filling (37) with heat transfer liquid which is at least partially filled with heat transfer liquid and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2),
the heating device (30) being mechanically connected in a detachable manner to the side body (20) of the package (2),
the heater (30) comprising sealing means (38) for sealingly connecting the jacket (31, 32) to the side body (20) of the package (2), the sealing means (38) comprising at least one seal (38a, 38b). A method of drying a package (2) of a device for radioactive material as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising:
the detachable connection (101) of the heating device (30) to the side body (20) of the package (2), the jacket (31, 32) being located around the side body (20) and outside of the packaging (2), and
the heating (107) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2) by the heat transfer liquid which is located in the filling space (37) and which is in thermal contact with the outer wall (24) of the side body (20) of the packaging (2). Drying process according to the preceding claim, comprising the at least partial filling (103) of the filling space (37) with the heat transfer liquid, the heat transfer liquid having preferably been heated before the filling of the filling space (37 ),
the filling space (37) preferably being at least partially filled with the heat transfer liquid after the heating device (30) has been detachably connected to the side body (20) of the package (2). Drying method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, comprising:
depressurization (108) of the housing cavity (5) of the package (2), and
the drying process preferably comprising emptying (105) of the housing cavity of the package (2). A method of drying according to any one of claims 12 to 14, comprising inserting the liner (31, 32) around the side body (20) of the package (2) by moving the liner (31, 32) relatively to the packaging (2) in the longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging,
the jacket (31, 32) being inserted around the side body (20) of the packaging (2) preferably by sliding the heating device (30) around the side body (20) in the longitudinal direction (XX) of the 'packaging. Drying method according to any one of Claims 12 to 15, comprising the separation (113) of the heating device (30) from the packaging (2), when the housing cavity (5) of the packaging (2) has been dried,
the sleeve (31, 32) being in particular detached from the packaging (2) by moving the sleeve (31, 32) relative to the packaging (2) in the longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging, preferably by sliding of the jacket (31, 32) relative to the packaging (2) in the longitudinal direction (XX) of the packaging.