WO2022128133A1

WO2022128133A1 - Method for producing carrier basket elements for a carrier basket of a transport and/or storage container

Info

Publication number: WO2022128133A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/087288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amin Bannani
Original assignee: GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH
Priority date: 2020-12-18
Filing date: 2020-12-18
Publication date: 2022-06-23
Also published as: JP2024506120A; EP4264637A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing carrier basket elements (1) for a carrier basket (2) of a transport and/or storage container (3) for radioactive waste materials, in particular for spent fuel elements (4). At least two wall segments (5) and at least one connecting section (6) for connecting the wall segments (5) are provided. Each of the wall segments (5) has at least one connection recess (7), and the at least one connecting section (6) has at least one respective complementary connection element (10) on each of the connecting section ends (8, 9) paired with the wall segments (5). A pre-connection, in particular a plug connection, of the at least one connecting section (6) to at least one wall segment (5), preferably the at least two wall segments (5), is produced by the interaction between the at least one connection element (10) or connection elements (10) and the at least one connection recess (7) or connection recesses (7). The at least one connection element (10) or connection elements (10) in the at least one connection recess (7) or connection recesses (7) is or are then punched by means of at least one punching tool. In this manner, a connection, in particular a force-fitting connection, is produced between the at least one connection element (10) or connection elements (10) and the at least one connection recess (7) or connection recesses (7).

Description

Transport and/or storage container

Description:

The invention relates to a method for producing basket elements for a basket of a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel elements, wherein at least two wall segments and at least one web provided for connecting the wall segments are provided. The invention also relates to a carrying basket element for a carrying basket of a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, and to a carrying basket for such transport and/or storage containers. Furthermore, the invention relates to a transport and/or storage container with such a carrying basket. It is preferred that the transport and/or storage container accommodating the carrying basket made up of a plurality of carrying basket elements has, in a manner known per se, a container base, a container jacket and at least one container lid. The container or the container interior is expediently designed in a cylindrical or essentially cylindrical manner. It is within the scope of the invention for the carrying basket to be adapted to the cylindrical interior of the container and preferably also to be of cylindrical or essentially cylindrical design.

Carrying baskets and their carrying basket elements, as well as methods for producing such carrying basket elements in different embodiments are basically known from practice. Connections within the individual carrying cage elements or between the respective carrying cage elements are generally screwed or welded in the case of the measures known from practice. In the case of welding in particular, heat is introduced into the carrying basket elements, which often leads to undesirable material distortions and material tensions. In addition, it is necessary at the

known carrying baskets or containers for receiving radioactive waste to maintain a non-critical state or to ensure criticality safety. The carrying baskets are therefore often constructed in such a way that the carrying basket elements have an intermediate space that can be flooded with water. Nevertheless, the carrying basket elements must have sufficient mechanical stability or strength. With the methods known from practice, stresses and material distortions caused by the input of heat—for example in the course of a welding process—can only be avoided by means of complex and, in particular, time-consuming and costly measures. In the known solutions, the properties of adequate criticality safety, adequate mechanical stability or strength and a cost-efficient manufacturing process usually compete with one another, so that improving one requirement or property is at the expense of another requirement or property. In this respect, there is a need for improvement.

In contrast, the invention is based on the technical problem of specifying a method for producing carrying basket elements that can be carried out simply and functionally reliably and is also cost-efficient and the resulting carrying basket elements have satisfactory mechanical stability or strength and can nevertheless guarantee optimal criticality safety. The invention is also based on the technical problem of specifying a corresponding basket element, a basket made of these basket elements and a transport and/or storage container with such a basket.

To solve the technical problem, the invention teaches a method for producing carrying basket elements for a carrying basket of a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, in particular for

burned fuel assemblies, wherein at least two wall segments and at least one web provided for connecting the wall segments are provided, wherein the wall segments each have at least one connecting recess and wherein the at least one web has at least one complementary connecting element on its web sides assigned to the wall segments, with a preliminary connection , in particular a plug-in connection, of the at least one web with at least one wall segment, preferably with the at least two wall segments, is produced by interaction of the at least one connecting element or the connecting elements with the at least one connecting recess or with the connecting recesses and then with at least one embossing tool an embossing of the at least one connecting element or the connecting elements in the at least one connecting recess or in the connecting recesses to produce a particular non-positive connection between the at least one connecting element or the connecting elements and the at least one connecting recess or the connecting recesses takes place.

The at least two, in particular the two, wall segments are expediently connected to the at least one web in such a way that a wall segment is arranged on each side of the web. According to a preferred embodiment, the resulting carrying basket element has an H-shaped or essentially H-shaped cross section. Within the scope of such an embodiment, one wall segment forms an H-leg and the at least one web forms the H-bridge connecting the two H-legs.

Within the scope of the method according to the invention, the at least one web is pre-connected to the at least two wall segments, in particular to the two wall segments, by interaction, in particular by positive interaction, of the connecting elements with the connecting recesses. The pre-connection is expediently a plug-in connection and preferably the connecting elements of the web are pre-connected in each case in a form-fitting manner to the associated connecting recess of the wall segment. It has proven that the pre-connection is a detachable pre-connection. As a result of the pre-connection, the unit made up of the at least two wall segments or the two wall segments and the at least one web is, as it were, prepared for the embossing process. In the context of the invention, the pre-connection can in principle also already be so strong that it can no longer be detached or can only be detached with a great deal of force. This can be achieved, for example, by pressing the web or the connecting elements of the at least one web into the connecting recesses of the wall segments.

The subsequent embossing of the connecting elements in the connecting recesses results in a material deformation of the connecting elements, so that they are preferably pressed with at least one outer side against at least one inner side of the connecting recesses. In this way, a particularly non-positive connection is created between the connecting elements and the connecting recesses. Compared to the previous connection, the connection resulting from the embossing can no longer be detached or can only be detached with a great deal of force. Due to the deformation of the material, the individual connecting elements are held in the connecting recesses, in particular in a clamping manner.

It is recommended that at least one wall segment, preferably the at least two wall segments, have a plurality of connecting recesses and that the at least one web preferably has a plurality of complementary connecting elements on at least one side of the web, preferably on both sides of the web, and wherein the embossing of the connecting elements on one side of the web is particularly preferably carried out one after the other. Within the scope of such an embodiment, the unit consisting of the two wall segments and the at least one web is expediently advanced after each embossing process to the next connecting element to be embossed in the direction of the at least one embossing tool and/or the at least one embossing tool is advanced to the next connecting element to be embossed . According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one wall segment, preferably the at least two wall segments, each have at least two, preferably at least three, preferably at least four, particularly preferably at least five connecting recesses. It is recommended that the at least one web has at least two, preferably at least three, preferably at least four, particularly preferably at least five complementary connecting elements on at least one side of the web, preferably on both sides of the web.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that at least two connecting elements located opposite one another on the web sides are embossed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously with at least one embossing tool in the associated connecting recess, so that the at least two wall segments are preferably embossed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously be connected to the web or to the web sides. As part of a

In such a method, at least two embossing tools, in particular opposite one another, are preferably provided for the simultaneous or essentially simultaneous embossing of at least two connecting elements located opposite one another in the respectively associated connecting recess. The unit consisting of the at least two, in particular the two, wall segments and the at least one web is expediently arranged between the embossing tools lying opposite one another. If, according to the preferred embodiment, a plurality of connecting elements and connecting recesses is provided in each case, the unit made up of the wall segments and the at least one web, after the embossing of two opposite connecting elements in the respectively assigned connecting recess, up to the next pair of opposite connecting elements in the direction of the Embossing tool or embossing tools are advanced and/or the opposing embossing tools are advanced to the next opposing pair of connecting elements to be embossed.

It is recommended that the connecting elements are embossed from the outside of the associated wall segment and that the surface of the connecting element or connecting elements pointing in the direction of this outside is preferably embossed with the embossing tool. In this context, the outside of the wall segment means in particular that side of the respective wall segment which faces away from the opposite wall segment in the pre-connected or connected state of the carrying basket element. In the context of the method according to the invention, it is preferred that the unit consisting of the at least two, in particular the two wall segments and the at least one web is arranged or guided during the embossing process in such a way that the flat extension of the wall segments is parallel or essentially parallel to the ground

is arranged. In principle, however, it is also possible for the unit consisting of the at least two, in particular the two wall segments and the at least one web to be arranged or guided during the embossing process in such a way that the surface extent of the wall segments is transverse, in particular vertical or essentially vertical placed to the ground.

It is within the scope of the method according to the invention that the at least one embossing tool is a stamp, wherein at least one bead is preferably introduced as an embossing into the connecting elements with the embossing tool or with the stamp.

The pressing force for embossing the connecting elements is recommended to be between 5 t and 50 t, preferably between 10 t and 40 t, preferably between 12 t and 30 t and particularly preferably between 15 t and 25 t. If, according to a preferred embodiment, at least two opposing connecting elements are embossed simultaneously by a embossing tool in the associated connecting recess, this preferred pressing force is expediently applied to both sides.

The method according to the invention is based on the finding that the embossing of the connecting elements in the complementary connecting recesses and the resulting material deformation of the connecting elements form a particularly non-positive connection between the wall segments and the web, which does not require any heat input and yet a surprisingly high and all requirements sufficient mechanical stability or strength of the resulting basket elements guaranteed. In addition, the method according to the invention is not very complex and therefore very cost-efficient. By the missing

Material distortions and material tensions can be avoided by introducing heat into the carrying basket elements. Furthermore, different materials can be used within the scope of the method according to the invention for the carrying basket elements, including materials that are usually not suitable for welding. It is also within the scope of the method according to the invention that the method does not include a welding step.

It is recommended that the connecting elements and/or the connecting recesses are produced by means of laser beam cutting. In principle, however, other methods for producing the connecting elements and/or the connecting recesses are also possible, for example milling, stamping, water jet cutting and similar methods.

In order to solve the technical problem, the invention also teaches a carrying basket element for a carrying basket of a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel assemblies, with the carrying basket element preferably being produced using the method described above, with the carrying basket element having at least two parallel or has wall segments arranged essentially parallel to one another and at least one web which is arranged between the wall segments and connects the wall segments, the wall segments each having at least one connecting recess in which at least one complementary connecting element of the web is arranged and the connecting elements having an embossing and thereby each with are connected to the associated connection recesses, in particular are non-positively connected.

According to a preferred embodiment, the at least two wall segments, in particular the two wall segments and the at least one web, form a carrying basket element which is recommended to be H-shaped or substantially H-shaped in cross section, with the wall segments preferably forming the H-legs and the web forms the H-bridge. In this context, cross section means in particular the cross section transverse to the longitudinal direction of the carrying basket element.

It is preferred that the at least one web in the state connected to the wall segments is arranged between 40% and 60%, in particular at about 50%, with respect to the height of the wall segments. Here, the height of the wall segment means in particular the greatest height of the wall segment transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segments. Thus, the connection recesses of the wall segments are preferably also arranged between 40% and 60%, in particular at about 50%, with respect to the height of the wall segments.

According to one embodiment of the carrying basket element according to the invention, the carrying basket element has at least two webs which are provided for connecting the at least two wall segments and are in particular arranged one above the other when the wall segments are in the connected state. Within the scope of such an embodiment, the webs can be arranged, for example, at around 25% and at around 75% of the height of the wall segments, in which case the wall segments then expediently have corresponding connecting recesses for receiving the connecting elements of the webs, which also have a height of the wall segments at around 25% and at about 75%. In principle, it is also within the scope of the invention for more than two webs, which are preferably arranged one above the other when the wall segments are connected, to connect the wall segments.

segments are provided. A further embodiment of the invention is characterized in that a plurality of individual webs arranged next to one another or one behind the other in the connected state of the carrying basket element in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment or wall segments is provided for the connection of at least two, in particular two wall segments.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the carrying basket element according to the invention is characterized in that the connecting elements of the at least one web are connected to the connecting recesses of the wall segments without welding. This embodiment is based on the finding that the embossing of the connecting elements in the connecting recesses of the wall segments results in a material deformation that results in a particularly non-positive connection between the connecting elements of the at least one web and the connecting recesses of the wall segments. In this way, a mechanically very stable connection can be achieved between the web and the wall segments, for which no heat input into the carrying basket element is required, so that tension and distortions due to heat input can be avoided. The resulting carrying basket element is characterized by excellent mechanical strength and stability and nevertheless ensures the criticality safety of the resulting carrying basket due to the intermediate space between the wall segments connected by the at least one web, which can be flooded with water. It is also within the scope of the invention that the connecting elements of the at least one web are connected to the connecting recesses of the wall segments without screw connections. Basically, it is possible within the scope of the invention that after the embossing of the connecting elements in the connecting recesses, a safety weld seam is made on the connecting

boundary is provided between the wall segments and the at least one web, in particular on the inside of the wall segment.

It is preferred that at least one wall segment, preferably the at least two wall segments, have a plurality of connecting recesses. If, according to this preferred embodiment, at least one wall segment, preferably the at least two wall segments, has a plurality of connecting cutouts, it is within the scope of the invention for the connecting cutouts to be arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment or wall segments, in particular with the same spacing next to one another and preferably over at least 70%, preferably over at least 80%, particularly preferably over at least 90% of the length Lw of the wall segment or wall segments. In this context, length Lw of the wall segment means the greatest extension of the wall segment in its longitudinal direction Iw. The fact that the connecting cutouts of the wall segments extend over at least 70%, preferably over at least 80%, particularly preferably over at least 90% of the length Lw of the wall segment or wall segments means in particular that the distance between the first connecting cutout and the last connecting cutout of the wall segment in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment corresponds to at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably over at least 90% of the length Lw of the wall segment. The connecting recesses can be made, for example, by laser beam cutting. In principle, other production methods, such as water jet cutting, milling, stamping and similar methods for the production of the connection recesses, can also be considered.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the basket element according to the invention is characterized in that the at least one web

at least one web side, preferably on both web sides, has a plurality of connecting elements. The number of connecting elements on one side of the web expediently corresponds to the number of connecting recesses in the associated wall segment. If, according to one embodiment of the invention, several individual webs are provided between the at least two, in particular the two, wall segments, the total number of connecting elements on the web sides assigned to a wall segment suitably corresponds to the number of connecting recesses in the assigned wall segment. It is preferred that the number of connecting elements on the two web sides of the at least one web is identical and therefore the number of connecting recesses of the at least two, in particular the two wall segments that are connected by the at least one web, is recommended to be identical. It is recommended that the connecting elements of the at least one web are arranged in pairs opposite each other and that preferably then in the connected state of the carrying basket element one connecting recess of one wall segment forms a pair of opposite connecting recesses with the connecting recess of the other, opposite wall segment.

According to a particularly recommended embodiment of the carrying basket element according to the invention, the connecting elements are designed as projections protruding from the web sides. The connecting elements can be manufactured, for example, by means of laser beam cutting. In principle, other manufacturing processes such as water jet cutting, milling, punching and similar processes can also be used to manufacture the connecting elements. Expediently, the connecting elements have a rectangular or substantially rectangular cross-section. In this context, cross-section means in particular the

Cross section transverse, in particular perpendicular to the extension of the connecting elements from the web center in the direction of the wall segments. If the connecting elements according to the preferred embodiment are rectangular or essentially rectangular in cross section, it is recommended that the longer side of the rectangle extends in the longitudinal direction Is of the web and/or in the connected state of the carrying basket element in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment or wall segments. In principle, other geometries or cross-sectional geometries of the connecting elements are also within the scope of the invention, for example round, square, polygonal, oval and similar geometries or cross-sectional geometries.

It is within the scope of the invention that the connecting recesses are designed as connecting grooves, which preferably completely penetrate the wall segments. The connecting recesses are then configured as connecting openings or connecting holes, which in particular extend completely through the wall segment or wall segments. According to the invention, the connecting recesses are designed to be complementary to the connecting elements. The geometry of the connecting recesses or connecting grooves preferably corresponds essentially to the cross-sectional geometry of the connecting elements. In this way, for the preliminary connection between the at least one web and the at least one wall segment, preferably the at least two wall segments, an in particular positive plug-in connection can be made between the at least one web and the wall segments.

According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting recesses are designed as rectangular or essentially rectangular grooves, which preferably completely penetrate the wall segments.

In principle, other geometries of the connecting recesses or the connecting grooves can also be considered, which are adapted to the possible cross-sectional geometries of the connecting elements. It is recommended that the connecting elements engage in the connecting recesses from the inside of the wall segments to the outside of the wall segments when the carrying basket element is in the connected state and/or in the pre-connected state. Expediently, the connecting elements then terminate flush or essentially flush with the respective outside of the wall segments with the surface pointing in the direction of the outside of the wall segments. The surface of the connecting elements pointing in the direction of the outside of the wall segments, which preferably terminates flush or essentially flush with the outside of the wall segments, expediently has the embossing.

It is preferred that the embossing of the connecting elements is formed as at least one bead, which preferably extends in the longitudinal direction lv of the connecting element and preferably in the longitudinal direction Is of the web and/or in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment or wall segments. The extent of the embossing or the at least one bead relates in particular to the connected state of the carrying basket element. According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting elements each have two parallel or essentially parallel beads as an embossing, which preferably extend in the longitudinal direction lv of the connecting element and preferably in the longitudinal direction Is of the web and/or in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segment or wall segments . In principle, the embossing can also be designed in a different way within the scope of the invention. The embossing tool or stamp expediently has a corresponding shape or stamp shape on its side associated with the connecting element or the surface to be embossed. According to a further embodiment of the invention, the connecting recesses are provided with a chamfer at their edges, preferably completely surrounding the connecting recess. The embossing of the connecting elements in these connecting recesses and the material deformation expediently caused as a result presses the material of the connecting elements into the area of the chamfer, so that the embossed connecting element is pressed onto at least one outside of the connecting recess and is also pressed into the area of the chamfer and acts as a rivet, so to speak.

The planar extent of the at least one web is expediently arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly, to the planar extent of the wall segments. Such an arrangement of the wall segments and the at least one web results, for example, in an H-shape of the carrying basket element in the connected state, in which the wall segments form the H-legs and the at least one web forms the H-bridge.

According to a preferred embodiment of the carrying basket element according to the invention, the at least two wall segments and/or the at least one web are formed on the basis of at least one steel and consist in particular of at least one steel or essentially consist of at least one steel. The steel is expediently at least one austenitic steel and/or at least one duplex steel or austenitic-ferritic steel and preferably a 1.4565 steel and/or a 1.4462 steel and/or a SUS 329J3L steel.

The invention has recognized that due to the embossed connection between the at least one web and the at least two, in particular the two, wall segments, no heat input is necessary for the connection of these elements. For this reason, it is possible with the method according to the invention to also provide carrying basket elements which have materials or which consist of materials which are usually not suitable for a welded connection, for example boron steel sheets.

It is preferred that the intermediate space between the two wall segments, which is formed by the spacing of the wall segments by the at least one web, can be flooded with water. As a result, a layer that can be flooded with water can be set up between the two wall segments, which ensures that the carrying cage made up of the carrying cage elements is critical. It is within the scope of the invention that the at least one web has at least one, preferably a plurality of fluid passage openings, which preferably extend through the web transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Is of the web. The fluid passage openings in particular allow fluids, for example water, to pass through the at least one web. The fluid passage openings are expediently arranged uniformly and/or at the same distance in the at least one web.

In order to solve the technical problem, the invention also teaches a carrying cage for transport and/or storage casks for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel assemblies, the carrying cage having a plurality of intersecting walls, the receiving shafts for the radioactive waste extending in the longitudinal direction IT of the carrying cage Materials or waste form, with at least the majority, preferably all of the intersecting walls being wall segments arranged one above the other

have, wherein the wall segments are preferably part of the above-described support basket elements and wherein the support basket elements or the intersecting walls or wall segments are connected to one another via plug-in connections.

Expediently, in the vertical erected state of the carrying basket, a plurality of wall segments arranged vertically one above the other and aligned with one another are added to form a wall of the carrying basket. The intersecting walls then result, as recommended, from the intersecting wall segments of the walls. The wall segments arranged one above the other and crossing one another preferably complement one another to form the receiving shafts of the carrying basket. According to the invention, the carrying basket elements forming the walls are composed of corresponding wall segments. Due to the spacing of the wall segments by the at least one web, an intermediate space that can be flooded with water is provided between the two wall segments of a carrying basket element. In this way, the individual receiving shafts are each surrounded around their circumference by an intermediate space between the carrying basket elements that can be flooded with water. It is possible for the wall segments of the carrying basket elements or the walls of the carrying basket to have at least one coating, for example a coating of boron carbide and/or boron carbide containing aluminum, particularly on the outside of the wall segments facing the receiving shafts. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one metal sheet, in particular at least one aluminum sheet containing boron carbide, is arranged on the wall segments of the carrying basket elements or the walls of the carrying basket, in particular on the outside of the wall segments facing the receiving shafts. This embodiment is based on the knowledge that a very satisfactory heat dissipation is then possible.

It has already been explained above that the carrying basket elements are preferably designed without welded joints. It is also preferred that the entire carrying basket is constructed without welded joints. The carrying basket elements or the crossing walls expediently have slots for the plug-in connection with the crossing wall segments or carrying basket elements. It is preferred that the slots are provided on the upper edge or lower edge of the wall segments and preferably extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segments.

It is possible that the fluid passage openings provided in the at least one web according to the preferred embodiment are arranged only in the area of the plug-in connections or in the area of the slots of the wall segments or the carrying basket elements provided for the plug-in connection.

To solve the technical problem, the invention also teaches a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel assemblies, with a carrying basket as described above. The container has a container base, a container casing and at least one container cover, and a carrying basket according to the invention is arranged in the interior of the container. The carrying basket is expediently accommodated in the container in a form-fitting or essentially form-fitting manner.

The invention is based on the finding that the method according to the invention can be used to provide carrying basket elements for a carrying basket of a transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste which can be produced easily and cost-effectively, are characterized by excellent mechanical strength and stability and yet the

Can ensure criticality safety of a carrying basket constructed from the carrying basket elements. In this respect, the method according to the invention and the carrying cage elements according to the invention achieve a satisfactory compromise between the requirements of cost efficiency, the mechanical stability of the carrying cage elements and sufficient criticality safety of the resulting carrying cage. The invention has recognized that an embossing method according to the invention can be used to achieve a very reliable and stable connection between at least one web and at least two, in particular two, wall segments, resulting in a mechanically stable carrying basket element in which the connections between the at least one web and the Wall segments can be realized without heat input. In this way, material tension and material distortions can be avoided in a functionally reliable manner. Nevertheless, the connections within the carrying basket elements are comparable in terms of their stability and strength to the connections known from practice, for example with welded connections and/or screw connections. In addition, it should be emphasized that due to the mechanically stable connection of the components of the support cage elements without heat input, there is the possibility of using materials for the support cage elements that usually cannot be used in processes that provide for welded connections. The method according to the invention is therefore both cost-efficient and very flexible, and the resulting carrying basket elements nevertheless meet all requirements. It must also be pointed out that the measures according to the invention can be implemented with relatively little effort.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing that merely shows an exemplary embodiment. They show in a schematic representation: 1: the embossing process of a carrying basket element according to the invention in a perspective view,

2: a carrying basket element according to the invention in a perspective view,

3: the end section of a carrying basket element according to the invention in an enlarged view,

Fig. 4: the arrangement of several carrying basket elements according to the invention to form a carrying basket and

5: a transport and/or storage container according to the invention with a carrying basket according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows the method for producing a carrying basket element 1 according to the invention, in which two wall segments 5 and a web 6 provided for connecting the wall segments are provided and in which the wall segments 5 each have a plurality of connecting recesses 7, the web 6 being connected at its den Web sides 8, 9 associated with wall segments 5 each have a plurality of complementary connecting elements 10.

According to the invention, a pre-connection, expediently and in the exemplary embodiment, a plug-in connection of the web 6 with the at least two wall segments 5 is produced by interaction, in particular positive interaction, of the connecting elements 10 with the connecting recesses 7 and then takes place with two, as recommended

and in the exemplary embodiment embossing tools designed as stamps 13, an embossing of the connecting elements 10 in the connecting recesses 7 to produce a connection, in particular with a non-positive fit, between the connecting elements 10 and the connecting recesses 7.

Expediently and in the exemplary embodiment, the connecting elements 10 are embossed on one web side 8, 9 in succession. As recommended and in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1, two opposing connecting elements 10 are embossed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously with a embossing tool or stamp 13 in the associated connecting recess 7, so that the two wall segments 5 in this area are expediently or essentially simultaneously embossed are simultaneously connected to the web 6 or to the web sides 8, 9.

Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the connecting elements 10 are embossed in each case from the outside 11 of the associated wall segment 5 . Preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the surface 12 of the connecting elements 10 pointing in the direction of this outer side 11 is embossed with the embossing tool or with the stamp 13 . At least one bead 14 is expediently introduced as an embossing into the connecting elements 10 with the embossing tool designed as a punch 13 or with the two embossing tools designed as a punch 13 . As recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, two beads 14 running parallel to one another are introduced into the connecting elements 10 as an embossing (FIG. 3). The pressing force for embossing the connecting elements 10 is recommended to be between 10 t and 40 t. In the exemplary embodiment, the pressing force of the two embossing tools or the two stamps 13 may be between 15 t and 20 t.

According to the invention, a preliminary connection, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment a plug-in connection, is first realized between the at least two wall segments 5 and the at least one web 6 . This pre-connection is expediently detachable. The embossing of the connecting elements 10 in the connecting recesses 7 results in a material deformation of the connecting elements 10 and, in particular, a non-positive connection is realized between the connecting elements 10 and the connecting recesses 7 . At least one outside of the connecting elements 10, preferably all outsides, is pressed against at least one inside, preferably all insides, of the connecting recesses 7. The connection produced in this way is expediently no longer detachable or can only be detachable with a great deal of force. After embossing, the connecting elements 10 are held in the connecting recesses 7 in a clamping manner, as it were.

A basket element 1 according to the invention expediently and in the exemplary embodiment (see in particular FIG. 2) has two wall segments 5 arranged parallel or essentially parallel to one another and a web 6 arranged between the wall segments 5 and connecting the wall segments 5 . The wall segments 5 expediently and in the exemplary embodiment according to the figures have a plurality of connecting recesses 7 in which a plurality of complementary connecting elements 10 of the web 6 are arranged. The connecting elements 10 have an embossing and are thereby each connected to the associated connecting recesses 7, in particular connected in a non-positive manner.

Appropriately and in the exemplary embodiment, the connecting elements 10 of the web 6 are without welded joints with the connecting recesses 7

of the wall segments 5 connected. The connecting elements 10 of the web 6 are also connected to the connecting recesses 7 of the wall segments 5 without screw connections.

The two wall segments 5 preferably and in the exemplary embodiment have a plurality of connecting recesses 7, which are expediently arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segments 5, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment with the same spacing or essentially with the same spacing next to one another. The connecting recesses 7 expediently extend over at least 70% of the length Lw of the wall segments 5. In the exemplary embodiment, the connecting recesses 7 may extend over at least 90% of the length Lw of the wall segments 5. In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures and according to the preferred embodiment of the carrying basket element 1 according to the invention, the connecting recesses 7 are designed as connecting grooves which preferably and in the exemplary embodiment completely penetrate the wall segments 5 or extend completely through the wall segments 5 . The connection recesses 7 preferably and in the exemplary embodiment have a rectangular or essentially rectangular geometry.

Within the scope of the invention and in the exemplary embodiment, the web 6 has a plurality of connecting elements 10 on its web sides 8, 9, which are expediently and in the exemplary embodiment designed as projections protruding from the web sides 8, 9 (e.g. FIG. 1). In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures, the connecting elements 10 have a rectangular or essentially rectangular cross section. The cross-sectional geometry of the connecting elements 10 thus essentially corresponds to the geometry of the connecting recesses 7, so that a plug-in connection, in particular a positive plug-in connection, for

Pre-connection of the wall segments 5 with the web 6 can be realized. The connecting elements 10 of the web 6 expediently and in the exemplary embodiment engage in the connecting recesses 7 from the inside of the wall segments 5 to the outside 11 of the wall segments 5 and end expediently and in the exemplary embodiment flush or essentially flush with the outside 11 of the wall segments 5 . The surface 12 of the connecting elements 10 pointing in the direction of the outside 11 of the wall segments 5 has, as recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, the embossing or the beads 14 or, within the scope of the method according to the invention, this surface 12 is formed by the at least one embossing tool or by the at least one Stamp 13 embossed.

Recommended and in the exemplary embodiment, two connecting elements 10 of the web 6 lying opposite one another on the web sides 8, 9 form a pair of connecting elements and when the carrying basket element 1 is in the connected state, the connecting recesses 7 assigned to these connecting elements 10 are then expediently and in the exemplary embodiment likewise arranged opposite one another in pairs.

It has already been explained that the embossing of the connecting elements 10 is expediently and in the exemplary embodiment in the form of two beads 14 running parallel or essentially parallel to one another. The beads 14 extend as recommended and in the exemplary embodiment in the longitudinal direction lv of the respective connecting element 10 and preferably in the longitudinal direction Is of the web 6 and in the connected state of the carrying basket element 1 in the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segments 5.

In the exemplary embodiment according to the figures and within the scope of the invention, the flat extension of the web 6 is transverse, in particular vertical or im

Substantially perpendicular to the planar extent of the wall segments 5 arranged. In the exemplary embodiment, a carrying basket element 1 results which has an H-shaped cross section, with the wall segments 5 forming the H legs and the web 6 forming the H bridge. Expediently, the web 6 is arranged between 40% and 60%, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment at about 50%, in relation to the height H of the wall segments 5 in the connected state of the carrying basket element 1 . The height H of the wall segments 5 means the greatest extension of the wall segments transversely, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction Iw of the wall segments 5. Accordingly, the connecting elements 10 and the connecting recesses 7 are also between 40% and 60% in the connected state of the carrying basket element 1 with regard to the height H of the wall segments 5 %, preferably and arranged at about 50% in the exemplary embodiment.

Within the scope of the invention, the wall segments 5 and the web 6 can consist or essentially consist of at least one steel. This steel is expediently and in the exemplary embodiment a 1.4565 steel.

Furthermore, preferably and in the exemplary embodiment, the web 6 has a plurality of fluid passage openings 15 . This can be seen in particular in FIG. The fluid passage openings 15 preferably and in the exemplary embodiment extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Is of the web 6 through the web 6. Between the two wall segments 5, due to the spacing of the wall segments by the web 6, there is an intermediate space 19 which can be flooded with water . The water can pass through the fluid passage openings 15 .

Figures 4 and 5 show the connection of carrying cage elements 1 according to the invention to form a carrying cage 2 for transport and/or storage containers for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel elements 4. The carrying cage 2 has, according to the invention, a plurality of intersecting walls 16, which are Form longitudinally IT of the carrying basket 2 extending receiving shafts 17 for the radioactive materials or waste. At least the majority, preferably all of the intersecting walls 16 each have wall segments 5 arranged one above the other, with the wall segments 5 being part of carrying basket elements 1 and with the carrying basket elements 1 or the intersecting walls 16 or wall segments 5 being connected to one another via plug-in connections 18 . This can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. When the carrying basket 2 is in the vertical position, a plurality of wall segments 5 arranged vertically one above the other and aligned with one another combine to form a wall 16 of the carrying basket 2. The wall segments 5 or carrying basket elements 1 arranged one above the other and crossing one another complement one another to form the receiving shafts 17 of the carrying basket.

Between two connected via a web 6 wall segments 5 of a basket element 1, an intermediate space 19 is arranged, which can be flooded with water. The individual receiving shafts 17 are thus expediently and in the exemplary embodiment completely surrounded by intermediate spaces 19 in the carrying basket elements 1 connected by plug-in connections 18 . The individual wall segments 5 or the support basket elements 1 have slots 20 for connecting the support basket elements 1 or the wall segments 5 . The slots 20 are expediently and in the exemplary embodiment provided on the upper edge or lower edge of the wall segments 5 or the carrying basket elements 1 and preferably extend transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the longitudinal direction Iw of the Wall segments 5. The plug-in connections 18 of the carrying basket elements 1 or of the intersecting walls 16 or wall segments 5 are realized by means of the slots 20 . 5 shows a transport and/or storage container 3 for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel elements 4, with a carrying cage 2 according to the invention, which is constructed from carrying cage elements 1 according to the invention.

Claims

1. Method for the production of basket elements (1) for a basket (2) of a transport and/or storage container (3) for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel assemblies (4), wherein at least two wall segments (5) and at least one for the connection of the wall segments (5) are provided, the wall segments (5) each having at least one connecting recess (7) and the at least one web (6) on its web sides (8, 9 ) each has at least one complementary connecting element (10), with a preliminary connection, in particular a plug-in connection, of the at least one web (6) with at least one wall segment (5), preferably with the at least two wall segments (5), by interaction of the at least one connecting element (10) or the connecting elements (10) with the at least one connecting recess (7) or with the connecting recesses (7) and where then using at least one embossing tool to emboss the at least one connecting element (10) or the connecting elements (10) in the at least one connecting recess (7) or in the connecting recesses (7) in order to produce an in particular non-positive connection between the at least one connecting element ( 10) or the connecting elements (10) and the at least one connecting recess (7) or the connecting recesses (7).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one wall segment (5), preferably the at least two wall segments (5), have a plurality of connecting recesses (7) and wherein the at least one web (6) on at least one web side (8, 9) , preferably on both web sides (8,

9), preferably each having a plurality of complementary connecting elements (10) and wherein the embossing of the connecting elements (10) on a web side (8, 9) particularly preferably takes place one after the other.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two connecting elements (10) lying opposite one another on the web sides (8, 9) are embossed simultaneously or essentially simultaneously with at least one embossing tool in the associated connecting recess (7), so that the at least two wall segments (5) are preferably connected to the web (6) or to the web sides (8, 9) at the same time or essentially at the same time.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the embossing of the connecting elements (10) takes place from the outside (11) of the associated wall segment (5), and wherein the surface (12 ) of the connecting element or connecting elements (10) is embossed with the embossing tool.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one embossing tool is a stamp (13) and with the embossing tool or with the stamp (13) preferably at least one bead (14) as an embossing in the connecting elements (10) is introduced.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the pressing force for the embossing of the connecting elements (10) is between 5 t and 50 t, preferably between 10 t and 40 t, preferably between 12 t and 30 t and particularly preferably between 151 and is 25 tons.

7. Basket element for a basket (2) of a transport and/or storage container (3) for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel elements (4), the basket element (1) preferably being produced using a method according to one of Claims 1 to 6 , wherein the basket element (1) has at least two wall segments (5) arranged parallel or essentially parallel to one another and at least one web (6) arranged between the wall segments (5) and connecting the wall segments (5), the wall segments (5) each have at least one connecting recess (7), in which at least one complementary connecting element (10) of the web (6) is arranged and wherein the connecting elements (10) have an embossing and are thereby each connected to the associated connecting recesses (7), in particular in a non-positive manner are connected.

8. Carrying basket element according to claim 7, wherein the connecting elements (10) of the at least one web (6) are connected without welds to the connecting recesses (7) of the wall segments (5).

9. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein at least one wall segment (5), preferably the at least two wall segments (5), have a plurality of connecting cutouts (7) and wherein the connecting cutouts (7) preferably extend in the longitudinal direction (Iw) of the Wall segment (5) or the wall segments (5) are arranged next to each other, in particular at the same distance next to each other, and are particularly preferably over at least 70%, preferably over at least 80%, for example over at least 90% of the length (Lw) of the wall segment (5 ) or the wall segments (5) extend.

10. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the at least one web (6) has a plurality of connecting elements (10) on at least one web side (8, 9), preferably on both web sides (8, 9), the connecting elements (10) are preferably designed as projections protruding from the web sides (8, 9) and are in particular designed to be rectangular or essentially rectangular in cross section.

11. basket element according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the connecting recesses (7) are designed as connecting grooves, which preferably pass through the wall segments (5) completely.

12. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the embossing of the connecting elements (10) is designed as at least one bead (14) which preferably extends in the longitudinal direction (lv) of the connecting element (10) and preferably in the longitudinal direction (Is) of the Web (6) and / or in the longitudinal direction (Iw) of the wall segment (5) or the wall segments (5).

13. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the planar extent of the at least one web (6) is arranged transversely, in particular perpendicularly or essentially perpendicularly to the planar extent of the wall segments (5).

14. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the at least two wall segments (5) and/or the at least one web (6) are formed on the basis of at least one steel and in particular consist or essentially consist of at least one steel and wherein the steel is preferably at least one austenitic steel and/or at least one duplex steel or austenitic-ferritic steel and particularly preferably a 1.4565 steel and/or a 1.4462 steel and/or a SUS 329J3L steel.

15. Carrying basket element according to one of claims 7 to 14, wherein the at least one web (6) has at least one, preferably a plurality of fluid passage openings (15), which are preferably transverse, in particular perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (Is) of the web (6). extend through the web (6).

16. Carrying cage for transport and/or storage casks for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel assemblies (4), the carrying cage (2) having a plurality of intersecting walls (16) extending in the longitudinal direction (IT) of the carrying cage (2 ) form extending receiving shafts (17) for the radioactive materials or waste materials, with at least the majority, preferably all of the intersecting walls (16) having wall segments (5) arranged one above the other, the wall segments (5) being part of carrying basket elements (1) - In particular of basket elements (1) - according to claims 7 to 15 and wherein the basket elements (1) or the intersecting walls (16) or wall segments (5) are connected to one another via plug-in connections (18).

17. Transport and/or storage container for radioactive waste, in particular for spent fuel elements (4) with a carrying basket (2) according to claim 16.