US3902548A - Containers for the transport of radioactive materials - Google Patents

Containers for the transport of radioactive materials Download PDF

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Publication number
US3902548A
US3902548A US415419A US41541973A US3902548A US 3902548 A US3902548 A US 3902548A US 415419 A US415419 A US 415419A US 41541973 A US41541973 A US 41541973A US 3902548 A US3902548 A US 3902548A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
flanges
container
sleeve
casing
cooling members
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.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US415419A
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English (en)
Inventor
Camille Bochard
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.)
Robatel SLPI SA
Original Assignee
Robatel SLPI SA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robatel SLPI SA filed Critical Robatel SLPI SA
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Publication of US3902548A publication Critical patent/US3902548A/en
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00—Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06—Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/10—Heat-removal systems, e.g. using circulating fluid or cooling fins

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A container for heat evolving radioactive materials has a metallic outer casing formed with outwardly projecting heat dissipating or cooling members, such as pins or fins, while each of its ends is formed with a flat flange which extends radially beyond the outer ends of the cooling members.
  • a perforated wall extends between the flanges to define with same and with the periphery of the outer casing an annular space within which the cooling members are enclosed.
  • This perforated wall is adapted to support a flexible covering sleeve the ends of which are clamped by inflatable seals between the periphery of the flanges and outer rings removably secured to the latter.
  • Spraying means are provided within the aforesaid space to permit of projecting an uncontaminated liquid on the cooling members to cool the container before and/or while the latter is immersed in a loading and unloading pond with the sleeve mounted in position.
  • the lower flange is provided with liquid collecting and evacuating means and compressed air may be injected into the said space to force the collected liquid outwardly.
  • the present invention relates to containers for the transport of radioactive materials.
  • the metallic outer casing of such containers should be provided with some sort of cooling members, such as fins or pins, generally disposed between an upper and a lower annular flanges which extend radially from the casing.
  • some sort of cooling members such as fins or pins
  • Such a covering sleeve thus delimits a closed annular space which must be cooled by means of a water jacket with opposed inlet and outlet openings.
  • a perforated peripheral wall extends between the flanges of the metallic outer casing so as to form a rigid inner supporting surface for the flexible covering sleeve when the latter is submitted to the hydrostatic pressure within a loading or unloading pond. Any damage to the flexible covering sleeve is thus fully avoided even if the annular space delimited by the said cover has not been previously filled with water.
  • the waterjacket which has hitherto been provided in order to absorb heat from the cooling members carried by the metallic outer casing of the container may thus be dispensed with and replaced by spraying means provided in the space defined by the said outer casing, the said flanges and the said peripheral wall for spraying water on the said cooling members in order to dissipate heat therefrom, the lower flange having appropriate outlet means for the water collected from the said spraying means.
  • spraying means provided in the space defined by the said outer casing, the said flanges and the said peripheral wall for spraying water on the said cooling members in order to dissipate heat therefrom, the lower flange having appropriate outlet means for the water collected from the said spraying means.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view with parts in section illustrating a container for heat evolving radioactive materials according to the invention, this container being illustrated at the horizontal position.
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmental longitudinal section of this container at the vertical position.
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but wherein the flexible covering is disposed on the perforated peripheral wall of the container.
  • the container illustrated comprises in the conventional manner a metallic outer casing 1 having a large number of cooling pins 2 which project radially therelongitudinally spaced annular flanges 3 and 4 disposed in the vicinity of the end heads 5 of the container.
  • flanges 3 and 4 are connected with each other by a substantially rigid perforated peripheral wall 6 secured in position by any appropriate means, as for instance by welding, as shown. Owing to its perforations this wall does not hinder free circulation of ambient air between pins 2 which thus effectively dissipate the heat generated by the radioactive materials within the container whatever may be the position of the latter. It will further be noted that wall 6 forms a safety screen for the operators who can no more be accidentally injured by pins 2, as also for the said pins which are protected against impacts.
  • Flange 3 which corresponds to the open end of the container, i.e., the upper end when the latter is to be immersed vertically for the loading or unloading operations, carries three male quick-coupling elements 7, 8 and 9 of conventional construction.
  • the first one 7 is connected by a conduit 10 with an inflatable clamping seal 11 disposed in a peripheral groove 411 provided in the lower flange 4, and also by a branch conduit 10a with another inflatable clamping seal 12 similarly disposed in a peripheral groove 3a of the upper flange 3.
  • Each flange 3 or 4 is surrounded by a ring 13, having inwardly projecting lugs 13a which are removably secured to the outer side of the flange as for instance by means of nuts 13b screwed on appropriate screwthreaded gudgeons carried by the said flange. It will be observed that the inner diameter of each ring 13 is somewhat larger than the outer diameter of the corresponding flange so as to leave a narrow annular intermediate space.
  • the second coupling element 8 communicates with an annular spray pipe 14 disposed against the inner side of the upper flange 3.
  • the perforations 14a of this pipe are directed downwardly in such manner that when the coupling element 8 receives water under pressure, the water jets issuing from these perforations strike the cooling pins 2.
  • the lower flange 4 is formed with an outlet 4b which communicates with a downwardly projecting male quick-coupling element 15 through which water collected on flange 4 may be discharged.
  • the coupling element 9 communicates freely with the annular space defined by casing 1, flanges 3 and 4, and peripheral wall 6. This coupling element is adapted to receive air or other gas under sufficient pressure to expel water through outlet 45 and coupling element 15.
  • the container When the container is to be unloaded it should first be cooled to an appropriate temperature.
  • water under pressure is injected intothe coupling element 8 by means of an appropriate hose.
  • This water is sprayed on pins 2 by pipe 10 and it rapidly absorbs the amount of heat accumulated in the container.
  • Water collected on the lower flange 4 is discharged through outlet 4b and element 15.
  • This cooling operation is quickly effected and it only requires a relatively small quantity of water.
  • the water thus injected into element 8 may have been brought to a low temperature in order to increase its cooling power and to reduce the cooling time. Some water may of course escape through the perforations of the peripheral wall 6 but it corresponds to a small percentage of the quantity injected and it does not constitute a problem in actual practice.
  • a water-tight flexible covering sleeve such as indicated at 16 in FIG. 3, is disposed on the perforated peripheral wall 6.
  • This sleeve may be made of any appropriate synthetic material. lts length or height should be substantially equal to the vertical distance between the outer sides of flanges 3 and 4 in such manner that its ends may extend on the periphery of the said flanges 3 and 4. Rings 13 are then re-mounted in position and compressed air is injected into element 7. Seals 11 and 12 are thus inflated and they clamp in fluid-tight manner the upper and the lower edges of sleeve 16 against the inner side of rings 13.
  • This fixation of the covering sleeve 16 may be reinforced by adhesive strips such as 17 which maintain the said sleeve in engagement with wall 6 at spaced intervals.
  • the container is then immersed into the unloading pond, the outlet end of the discharged hose being maintained above the water level therein.
  • the container may thus be opened and unloaded in the usual manner while remaining effectively cooled and without its cooling pins 2 being in contact with the contaminated water of the pond due to the presence of the covering sleeve 16.
  • the container is removed from the pond and it is sufficient to clean or decontaminate its end portions together with the outer sides of its flanges 3 and 4, which raises no difficulty owing to the practically smooth character of the exposed surfaces of these parts.
  • a fluid cooled container for heat evolving radioactive materials comprising:
  • first and second peripheral flanges fixed to said casing near its ends and each extending outwardly from the surface of the casing:
  • a perforated wall surrounding said casing and fixed to said first and second flanges to form a substantially rigid outer contour for the container, said perforated wall defining with said casing surface an intermediate space between the flanges, the cooling members being contained within said space and the ambient fluid normally circulating among said cooling members through the wall;
  • outlet means operative to discharge from said space liquid introduced by said spraying means
  • g. means to cover and enclose said perforated wall when said container is to be immersed into a loading or unloading pond, including a flexible impervious sleeve shaped to overlie said wall between said flanges, and means I to seal said sleeve to said flanges.
  • a container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said means to seal the sleeve to said first and second flanges comprise first and second rings shaped to extend around the peripheries of the flanges over the opposite end edges of the sleeve, and clamping means operative to clamp said edges of the sleeve between the rings and flanges and seal the sleeve ends to the flanges.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)
US415419A 1972-12-28 1973-11-13 Containers for the transport of radioactive materials Expired - Lifetime US3902548A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR7247167A FR2212614B1 (de) 1972-12-28 1972-12-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3902548A true US3902548A (en) 1975-09-02

Family

ID=9109610

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US415419A Expired - Lifetime US3902548A (en) 1972-12-28 1973-11-13 Containers for the transport of radioactive materials

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3902548A (de)
JP (1) JPS5630520B2 (de)
DE (1) DE2362858C2 (de)
FR (1) FR2212614B1 (de)
GB (1) GB1417309A (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10692618B2 (en) 2018-06-04 2020-06-23 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister
WO2020176280A3 (en) * 2019-02-15 2020-10-29 Holtec International Cooling system for casks containing high level nuclear waste
US10878972B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2020-12-29 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material repository systems and methods
US10943706B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2021-03-09 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister systems and methods
US11796255B2 (en) 2017-02-24 2023-10-24 Holtec International Air-cooled condenser with deflection limiter beams

Families Citing this family (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2747601C2 (de) * 1977-10-24 1979-10-25 Kraftwerk Union Ag, 4330 Muelheim Verfahren zur Kühlung eines Brennelement-Transportbehälters
DE2748019C2 (de) * 1977-10-26 1987-02-12 British Nuclear Fuels Ltd., Risley, Warrington, Cheshire Innenbehälter zur Verwendung als Einsatz in einem Transportbehälter für bestrahlte Kernreaktorbrennelemente
GB2020626B (en) * 1978-05-15 1982-12-15 Hitachi Shipbuilding Eng Co Bag for enclosing a cask
JPS5557762A (en) * 1978-10-20 1980-04-28 Hitachi Zosen Corp Cask packing method
DE2912672A1 (de) * 1979-03-30 1980-10-02 Kraftwerk Union Ag Huelle fuer einen brennelement-transportbehaelter
DE3106753C2 (de) * 1981-02-24 1985-01-03 Transnuklear Gmbh, 6450 Hanau Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Kühlung von Transportbehältern
DE29909347U1 (de) 1999-05-28 1999-11-11 Reinhardt, Horst, Dipl.-Ing., 63110 Rodgau Metallischer Kontaminationsschutz für nukleare Transportbehälter
RU2458272C1 (ru) * 2011-01-21 2012-08-10 Открытое акционерное общество "Центральное конструкторское бюро машиностроения" Узел стыковки с транспортным контейнером

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1187333A (en) * 1915-08-07 1916-06-13 Daniel B Kenney Automobile-radiator.
US1586422A (en) * 1925-08-01 1926-05-25 Alfred W Furnivall Guard
US1809528A (en) * 1930-04-17 1931-06-09 Lindley H Patten Auto heater
US1929444A (en) * 1929-07-17 1933-10-10 Murray Heat conducting element
US3711715A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-01-16 Robatel Slpi Container for radioactive materials having a heat releasable outer panel wall
US3727060A (en) * 1969-08-13 1973-04-10 Transnucleaire Soc Transports Package for the storage and transportation of radioactive substances containing both neutron and gamma radiation absorbing material

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1187333A (en) * 1915-08-07 1916-06-13 Daniel B Kenney Automobile-radiator.
US1586422A (en) * 1925-08-01 1926-05-25 Alfred W Furnivall Guard
US1929444A (en) * 1929-07-17 1933-10-10 Murray Heat conducting element
US1809528A (en) * 1930-04-17 1931-06-09 Lindley H Patten Auto heater
US3727060A (en) * 1969-08-13 1973-04-10 Transnucleaire Soc Transports Package for the storage and transportation of radioactive substances containing both neutron and gamma radiation absorbing material
US3711715A (en) * 1971-02-02 1973-01-16 Robatel Slpi Container for radioactive materials having a heat releasable outer panel wall

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11796255B2 (en) 2017-02-24 2023-10-24 Holtec International Air-cooled condenser with deflection limiter beams
US10692618B2 (en) 2018-06-04 2020-06-23 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister
WO2020176280A3 (en) * 2019-02-15 2020-10-29 Holtec International Cooling system for casks containing high level nuclear waste
US11488737B2 (en) 2019-02-15 2022-11-01 Holtec International Cooling system for casks containing high level nuclear waste
EP3924981A4 (de) * 2019-02-15 2022-11-16 Holtec International Kühlsystem für fässer mit hochradioaktivem nuklearabfall
US10878972B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2020-12-29 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material repository systems and methods
US10943706B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2021-03-09 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister systems and methods
US11289230B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2022-03-29 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister systems and methods
US11488736B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2022-11-01 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material repository systems and methods
US11842822B2 (en) 2019-02-21 2023-12-12 Deep Isolation, Inc. Hazardous material canister systems and methods

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5630520B2 (de) 1981-07-15
FR2212614B1 (de) 1977-04-22
GB1417309A (en) 1975-12-10
JPS4996199A (de) 1974-09-11
DE2362858C2 (de) 1983-01-20
DE2362858A1 (de) 1974-07-04
FR2212614A1 (de) 1974-07-26

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