EP0877388A1 - Sealed closure system for multi-purpose confinement container for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies of high activity waste material - Google Patents

Sealed closure system for multi-purpose confinement container for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies of high activity waste material Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0877388A1
EP0877388A1 EP98420076A EP98420076A EP0877388A1 EP 0877388 A1 EP0877388 A1 EP 0877388A1 EP 98420076 A EP98420076 A EP 98420076A EP 98420076 A EP98420076 A EP 98420076A EP 0877388 A1 EP0877388 A1 EP 0877388A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tubular body
discs
wall
housing
disc
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP98420076A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0877388B1 (en
Inventor
Yves Chanzy
Vincent Roland
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TN International SA
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Societe pour les Transports de lIndustrie Nucleaire Transnucleaire SA
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Publication of EP0877388A1 publication Critical patent/EP0877388A1/en
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21FPROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F5/00Transportable or portable shielded containers
    • G21F5/06Details of, or accessories to, the containers
    • G21F5/12Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for sealing a housing multi-use containment, for example for fuel assemblies irradiated nuclear or high activity waste, using seals.
  • Said package can then be transported safely and brought to its destination.
  • the containment box will then be removed from the overpack to be stored at the desired location.
  • the multi-purpose containment box is also known as Anglo-Saxon term of “multi-purpose canister” (MPC) and overpackaging under the term of “over-pack” (OP).
  • MPC multi-purpose canister
  • OP overpackaging under the term of “over-pack”
  • the fully open end of the case is closed hermetically either by means of a welded cover or, reversibly, by using tight seals between a cover and a flange fixed at the end open said housing.
  • Figure 1 illustrates such a reversible seal closure device.
  • an overpack having an opening total not only at its upper end, but also at its lower end; thus after having removed the bottom of the overpack and having brought the package directly above the storage place, one can extract the case loaded with fuel assemblies irradiated by the lower end of said overpack by sliding one relative to the 'other. It appears obvious that the presence of a flange on the housing prevents this type of handling where the housing is introduced into the overwrap by its upper end and is extracted from it by its lower end.
  • the solid discs are thus stacked on top of each other and sealing takes place in particular between the sealing means situated at the periphery of the solid metal discs and the vertical wall of the tubular body as will be seen in more detail below.
  • the support disc can also be a crown.
  • the lower, fuller disk comprising sealing means can bear directly on said shoulder without the intermediary of the disk or support ring.
  • the means seals include O-rings that are compressed at using the clamping device which may be of known type.
  • the thickness of the tubular body of the housing is thin, generally understood between 1 and 10 cm, but most often between 2 and 5 cm and despite this the device according to the invention ensures the tightness of the housing in the time.
  • the thick walls of the overpack (OP) are generally of the order of 10 to 30 cm, but most often between 15 and 25 cm.
  • the order of magnitude of the diameter of the case (MPC) is between 0.5 m and 2.5 m (most often between 1.5 m and 2 m) and its length, linked to that of the fuel assemblies contained, can vary between 3 and 5 m.
  • Solid discs and the supporting disc or crown generally have a thickness of at least 15 mm which is linked to the thickness of the joint and allows avoid any risk of deformation during tightening ensuring tightness. Their thickness is usually less than 50 mm to avoid any harmful weighting of the container or to leave more space available to combustible elements introduced into the cavity.
  • the closure device according to the invention may additionally comprise devices for testing for leaks.
  • employment according to the invention of at least two solid metal discs with their means sealing makes it possible to control and therefore to guarantee said sealing.
  • Such a closure device made up of at least two elements (i.e. a metal disc and a clamping device) can be crossed by a orifice with its own sealing system comprising for example two controllable seals.
  • Figure 2 illustrates the invention. It appears particularly simple to perform or to be implemented and the entire container has an outer wall perfectly cylindrical, smooth and without roughness over its entire length.
  • the upper end (10) of the tubular body may likewise be thickness than the body, but here it was reported by welding and presents a slight allowance towards the inside of said tubular body; it presents, of same as the tubular body, a circular cross section except possibly in places, for example at the point of point cuts of the type (20) or when the support shoulder (11) does not occupy the entire periphery of the inner wall of the tubular body, as will be seen later; the walls external here vertical of the tubular body and its end possibly reported (10) are aligned so that they have no part protruding outside the housing can interfere.
  • the internal allowance possible, gives the upper end (10) of the housing a greater rigidity so that the seal of the device according to the invention is found improved without decreasing the capacity of said housing.
  • the upper end (10) has a shoulder (11) formed in the interior wall; this shoulder can be practiced on all or part only from the periphery of said interior wall. It is such that the disc or support ring (12) can rest there stably; the disc or crown support is circular and has an upper face, a lower face and a cylindrical side wall.
  • first circular full disc (13) On the upper face of the disc or circular support crown (12) takes places a first circular full disc (13), which solid disc (13) comprises at its periphery sealing means comprising a chamfer (14) made in place of its lower peripheral edge and a most often metallic O-ring (15) taking place in the housing created by said chamfer (14).
  • the metal joint can be of the Helicoflex type (registered trademark) or any other metallic seal with properties alike.
  • Another embodiment would consist in that the lower disc (13) bears directly on the shoulder (11). Sealing is ensured by the metal seal (15) between the cylindrical vertical inner wall with circular section of the end piece (10) [or the end of the tubular body (1) in the case where there is would have no specific end piece added] and one or the other of the surface of the chamfer or of the horizontal upper face of the support disc.
  • This embodiment with a support disc is particularly interesting because it makes it possible to compress the seal (15) and to guarantee sealing when the shoulder (11) is not produced over the entire periphery of the wall interior, thanks in particular to the fact that said seal is obtained at less in part by pressing the seal on the vertical part of the inner wall.
  • a second full disc (13 ') identical to the disc (13), with its chamfer (14') and its metal seal (15 '), is placed on the face upper disc (13); the seal (15 ') is likewise compressed by reaction on the upper face of the solid disk (13) below on which it rests.
  • the clamping device not shown, is located entirely inside the end piece (10) [or, where appropriate, the tubular body (1)]. Generally it is of known type and comprises clamping means cooperating with the inner wall which allow to obtain the seal of the closure of the housing by compression of the seals (15, 15 ') by pressing vertically on the upper disc.
  • the reversible closure device according to the invention is simple to realize, authorizes the passage of the entire housing (MPC) through a overwrap (OP) from one end to the other and allows to reach simultaneously high sealing and mechanical resistance meeting regulatory safety requirements.

Abstract

A removable hermetic closure is claimed for a multi-purpose, metallic, irradiated nuclear fuel assembly canister, which consists of an upright tubular body (1) having a welded bottom and an open top and which is to be entirely enclosed in a thick-walled metallic over-pack. The closure includes removable solid metal discs (13, 13') located entirely within the tubular body (1) and seating, directly or via a seating disc or ring (12), on an internal peripheral shoulder (11) near the upper end of the body. Each solid disc (13, 13') includes a peripheral sealing arrangement (14, 15, 14', 15'), cooperating with a vertical portion of the wall, and a clamp is located within the body above and acting on the solid discs (13, 13') to effect sealing.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUETECHNICAL AREA

L'invention concerne un dispositif de fermeture étanche d'un boítier de confinement à usages multiples, par exemple pour assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés ou déchets à haute activité, à l'aide de joints.The invention relates to a device for sealing a housing multi-use containment, for example for fuel assemblies irradiated nuclear or high activity waste, using seals.

ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUESTATE OF THE ART

Une technique de transport et stockage d'assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés est en cours de développement.A transport and storage technique for fuel assemblies irradiated nuclear power is under development.

Elle consiste schématiquement :

  • à introduire un boítier métallique à parois minces et à ouverture totale à une de ses extrémités, dans un suremballage métallique à parois épaisses également fermable hermétiquement; ledit boítier permet d'assurer le confinement de la matière radioactive tout en présentant une résistance mécanique suffisante. Le suremballage épais assure un blindage radioactif suffisant et l'essentiel de la tenue mécanique pour que l'ensemble du colis ainsi constitué par le suremballage, le boítier de confinement et le contenu de matières radioactives qu'il est prévu d'y placer, soit transportable, c'est-à-dire puisse répondre aux spécifications règlementaires en cas d'accident sévères(par exemple chute),
  • à introduire l'ensemble conteneur, c'est-à-dire le suremballage et le boítier, dans la piscine où sont entreposés les assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés à transporter,
  • à charger lesdits assemblages combustibles irradiés dans le boítier,
  • à mettre en place le couvercle du boítier de façon à assurer le confinement de la matière radioactive et à vidanger le boítier,
  • à effectuer le séchage de la cavité du boítier éventuellement hors piscine, et à fermer hermétiquement le colis résultant.
It consists schematically:
  • to introduce a metal case with thin walls and full opening at one of its ends, in a metal overwrap with thick walls also hermetically sealable; said housing ensures the confinement of the radioactive material while having sufficient mechanical strength. The thick overwrap provides sufficient radioactive shielding and most of the mechanical strength so that the entire package thus constituted by the overwrap, the containment box and the content of radioactive materials that it is intended to place there, or transportable, i.e. can meet regulatory specifications in the event of a severe accident (e.g. fall),
  • to introduce the container assembly, that is to say the overpack and the housing, into the pool where the irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies to be transported are stored,
  • loading said irradiated fuel assemblies into the housing,
  • to put the cover of the box in place so as to contain the radioactive material and to empty the box,
  • to dry the housing cavity possibly outside the pool, and to seal the resulting package.

Ledit colis peut alors être transporté en toute sécurité et amené à destination. Le boítier de confinement sera alors extrait du suremballage pour être stocké à l'endroit désiré.Said package can then be transported safely and brought to its destination. The containment box will then be removed from the overpack to be stored at the desired location.

Le boítier de confinement à usages multiples est également connu sous le vocable anglo-saxon de « multi-purpose canister » (MPC) et le suremballage sous le vocable d' « over-pack » (OP).The multi-purpose containment box is also known as Anglo-Saxon term of “multi-purpose canister” (MPC) and overpackaging under the term of “over-pack” (OP).

Habituellement, l'extrémité à ouverture totale du boítier est fermée hermétiquement soit à l'aide d'un couvercle soudé soit, de façon réversible, à l'aide de joints serrés entre un couvercle et une bride fixée à l'extrémité ouverte dudit boítier.Usually the fully open end of the case is closed hermetically either by means of a welded cover or, reversibly, by using tight seals between a cover and a flange fixed at the end open said housing.

La figure 1 illustre un tel dispositif de fermeture réversible par joints.Figure 1 illustrates such a reversible seal closure device.

On y voit en (1) la paroi mince du boítier de confinement à usage multiple (MPC), en (2) la cavité intérieure du boítier dans laquelle les assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés sont introduits, en (3) la bride fixée à l'extrémité supérieure à ouverture totale du boítier, en (4) le couvercle comprenant deux joints (5), dans leurs logements, assurant l'étanchéité après fermeture à l'aide des boulons (6).We see in (1) the thin wall of the multi-use containment box (MPC), in (2) the interior cavity of the case in which the assemblies irradiated nuclear fuel is introduced, in (3) the flange fixed to the upper end with total opening of the case, in (4) the cover comprising two seals (5), in their housings, ensuring sealing after closing with bolts (6).

Avec un tel dispositif de fermeture, on voit qu'après introduction du boítier dans le suremballage, la bride (3) repose sur l'extrémité supérieure du suremballage (7) (OP).With such a closure device, we see that after introduction of the housing in the overpack, the flange (3) rests on the upper end of the overpack (7) (OP).

Ainsi l'introduction comme l'extraction dudit boítier à fermeture étanche réversible, respectivement dans et hors du suremballage, ne peuvent se faire que par ladite extrémité supérieure du suremballage, ce qui implique soit l'utilisation d'une cellule ou d'un dispositif blindé, soit une opération en piscine, afin de disposer de la protection radiologique que le boítier (MPC) ne possède pas.Thus the introduction as the extraction of said sealed closure housing reversible, respectively in and out of the overpack, cannot be only by said upper end of the overpack, which implies either the use of a shielded cell or device, i.e. a swimming pool operation, in order to have the radiological protection that the case (MPC) does not have not.

Pour faciliter ces manoeuvres d'introduction/extraction du suremballage en position verticale et éviter l'emploi d'un tel dispositif blindé intermédiaire entre le suremballage (OP) et le lieu de stockage désiré, il est avantageux d'utiliser un suremballage possédant une ouverture totale non seulement à son extrémité supérieure, mais également à son extrémité inférieure; ainsi après avoir enlevé le fond du suremballage et avoir amené le colis directement au-dessus du lieu de stockage, on peut extraire le boítier chargé d'assemblages combustibles irradiés par l'extrémité inférieure dudit suremballage par coulissement de l'un par rapport à l'autre.
Il apparaít évident que la présence d'une bride sur le boítier empêche ce type de manutentions où le boítier est introduit dans le suremballage par son extrémité supérieure et en est extrait par son extrémité inférieure.
To facilitate these maneuvers of introduction / extraction of the overpack in a vertical position and avoid the use of such a shielded device intermediate between the overpack (OP) and the desired storage location, it is advantageous to use an overpack having an opening total not only at its upper end, but also at its lower end; thus after having removed the bottom of the overpack and having brought the package directly above the storage place, one can extract the case loaded with fuel assemblies irradiated by the lower end of said overpack by sliding one relative to the 'other.
It appears obvious that the presence of a flange on the housing prevents this type of handling where the housing is introduced into the overwrap by its upper end and is extracted from it by its lower end.

Il est donc essentiel pour faciliter les manutentions de disposer d'un boítier possédant une paroi extérieure parfaitement lisse, en particulier sans bride. La demanderesse a ainsi cherché à mettre au point un tel boítier qui possède simultanément une fermeture réversible étanche et fiable, mais aussi simple à réaliser ou à mettre en oeuvre et ne comportant aucun élément dépassant de la paroi cylindrique extérieure du boítier.It is therefore essential to facilitate handling to have a housing having a perfectly smooth outer wall, in particular without flange. The plaintiff has thus sought to develop such a housing which has simultaneously a waterproof and reliable reversible closure, but also simple to to realize or to implement and containing no element exceeding the outer cylindrical wall of the housing.

DESCRIPTION DE L'INVENTIONDESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

L'invention est un dispositif de fermeture étanche amovible d'un boítier métallique de confinement à usage multiple (MPC) pour assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés, essentiellement constitué d'un corps tubulaire ou cylindrique, généralement à section circulaire, ayant un grand axe, d'une extrémité inférieure obturée par un fond soudé et d'une extrémité supérieure totalement ouverte, ledit boítier étant destiné à être entièrement inclus dans un suremballage métallique à parois épaisses, ledit dispositif de fermeture étanche comprenant :

  • au moins deux disques pleins métalliques amovibles entièrement situés à l'intérieur dudit corps tubulaire, prenant appui directement ou par l'intermédiaire d'un disque ou couronne d'appui, sur un épaulement pratiqué dans la paroi intérieure du corps tubulaire sur tout ou partie de sa périphérie, à proximité de son extrémité supérieure, chacun desdits disques pleins métalliques comportant des moyens d'étanchéité situés à leur périphérie coopérant avec une partie verticale de la paroi intérieure du corps tubulaire,
  • un dispositif de serrage, situé également à l'intérieur du corps tubulaire au-dessus desdits disques pleins métalliques et agissant sur eux, permettant de réaliser l'étanchéité.
The invention is a removable sealing device for a multi-use metal containment box (MPC) for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, essentially consisting of a tubular or cylindrical body, generally of circular section, having a large axis, d 'a lower end closed by a welded bottom and a fully open upper end, said housing being intended to be entirely included in a metal overpack with thick walls, said sealed closure device comprising:
  • at least two removable solid metal discs entirely located inside said tubular body, bearing directly or by means of a bearing disc or crown, on a shoulder formed in the interior wall of the tubular body over all or part from its periphery, near its upper end, each of said solid metal discs comprising sealing means situated at their periphery cooperating with a vertical part of the inner wall of the tubular body,
  • a clamping device, also located inside the tubular body above said solid metal discs and acting on them, making it possible to achieve sealing.

Les disques pleins sont ainsi empilés les uns sur les autres et l'étanchéité se fait en particulier entre les moyens d'étanchéité situés à la périphérie des disques pleins métalliques et la paroi verticale du corps tubulaire comme cela sera vu plus en détail plus loin.
Le disque d'appui peut être également une couronne. De plus le disque plein le plus inférieur comportant des moyens d'étanchéité peut prendre appui directement sur ledit épaulement sans l'intermédiaire du disque ou couronne d'appui.
The solid discs are thus stacked on top of each other and sealing takes place in particular between the sealing means situated at the periphery of the solid metal discs and the vertical wall of the tubular body as will be seen in more detail below.
The support disc can also be a crown. In addition, the lower, fuller disk comprising sealing means can bear directly on said shoulder without the intermediary of the disk or support ring.

Généralement, et comme cela sera vu plus loin en détail, les moyens d'étanchéité comprennent des joints toriques qui sont mis en compression à l'aide du dispositif de serrage qui peut être de type connu.Generally, and as will be seen in detail below, the means seals include O-rings that are compressed at using the clamping device which may be of known type.

L'épaisseur du corps tubulaire du boítier (MPC) est mince, en général comprise entre 1 et 10 cm, mais le plus souvent entre 2 à 5 cm et malgré cela le dispositif selon l'invention permet de garantir l'étanchéité du boítier dans le temps. En comparaison les parois épaisses du suremballage (OP) sont généralement de l'ordre de 10 à 30 cm, mais le plus souvent entre 15 et 25 cm. D'autre part, l'ordre de grandeur du diamètre du boítier (MPC) se situe entre 0,5 m et 2,5 m (le plus souvent entre 1,5 m et 2 m) et sa longueur, liée à celle des assemblages combustibles contenus, peut varier entre 3 et 5 m.The thickness of the tubular body of the housing (MPC) is thin, generally understood between 1 and 10 cm, but most often between 2 and 5 cm and despite this the device according to the invention ensures the tightness of the housing in the time. In comparison, the thick walls of the overpack (OP) are generally of the order of 10 to 30 cm, but most often between 15 and 25 cm. On the other hand, the order of magnitude of the diameter of the case (MPC) is between 0.5 m and 2.5 m (most often between 1.5 m and 2 m) and its length, linked to that of the fuel assemblies contained, can vary between 3 and 5 m.

Les disques pleins et le disque ou couronne d'appui ont généralement une épaisseur d'au moins 15 mm qui est liée à l'épaisseur du joint et permet d'éviter tout risque de déformation lors du serrage assurant l'étanchéité. Leur épaisseur est habituellement inférieure à 50 mm pour éviter tout alourdissement néfaste du conteneur ou pour laisser davantage de place disponible aux éléments combustibles introduits dans la cavité.Solid discs and the supporting disc or crown generally have a thickness of at least 15 mm which is linked to the thickness of the joint and allows avoid any risk of deformation during tightening ensuring tightness. Their thickness is usually less than 50 mm to avoid any harmful weighting of the container or to leave more space available to combustible elements introduced into the cavity.

Le dispositif de fermeture selon l'invention peut comporter additionnellement des dispositifs permettant de tester l'étanchéité. A cet égard, l'emploi selon l'invention d'au moins deux disques métalliques pleins avec leurs moyens d'étanchéité permet de contrôler et donc de garantir ladite étanchéité.The closure device according to the invention may additionally comprise devices for testing for leaks. In this regard, employment according to the invention of at least two solid metal discs with their means sealing makes it possible to control and therefore to guarantee said sealing.

Un tel dispositif de fermeture constitué d'au moins deux éléments (c'est-à-dire un disque métallique et un dispositif de serrage) peut être traversé par un orifice comportant son propre système d'étanchéité comprenant par exemple deux joints contrôlables en étanchéité.Such a closure device made up of at least two elements (i.e. a metal disc and a clamping device) can be crossed by a orifice with its own sealing system comprising for example two controllable seals.

La figure 2 illustre l'invention . Elle apparaít particulièrement simple à réaliser ou à mettre en oeuvre et l'ensemble du conteneur présente une paroi extérieure parfaitement cylindrique, lisse et sans aspérité sur toute sa longueur.Figure 2 illustrates the invention. It appears particularly simple to perform or to be implemented and the entire container has an outer wall perfectly cylindrical, smooth and without roughness over its entire length.

Sur la figure 2 on voit en (1) la paroi mince du corps tubulaire du boítier de confinement à usage multiple (MPC), en (2) la cavité intérieure destinée à recevoir les assemblages combustibles irradiés rangés dans un panier approprié. L'extrémité supérieure (10) du corps tubulaire peut être de même épaisseur que le corps, mais ici elle a été rapportée par soudage et présente une légère surépaisseur vers l'intérieur dudit corps tubulaire; elle présente, de même que le corps tubulaire, une section droite circulaire sauf éventuellement par endroits, par exemple au droit de découpes ponctuelles du type (20) ou quand l'épaulement d'appui (11) n'occupe pas la totalité de la périphérie de la paroi intérieure du corps tubulaire, comme cela sera vu plus loin; les parois extérieures ici verticales du corps tubulaire et de son extrémité éventuellement rapportée (10) sont alignées de sorte qu'elles ne présentent aucune partie saillante à l'extérieur du boítier pouvant gêner. La surépaisseur intérieure, éventuelle, procure à l'extrémité supérieure (10) du boítier une plus grande rigidité de sorte que la garantie d'étanchéité du dispositif selon l'invention se trouve améliorée sans diminuer la capacité dudit boítier.In Figure 2 we see in (1) the thin wall of the tubular body of the housing multiple-use containment (MPC), in (2) the interior cavity intended for receive irradiated fuel assemblies stored in a basket appropriate. The upper end (10) of the tubular body may likewise be thickness than the body, but here it was reported by welding and presents a slight allowance towards the inside of said tubular body; it presents, of same as the tubular body, a circular cross section except possibly in places, for example at the point of point cuts of the type (20) or when the support shoulder (11) does not occupy the entire periphery of the inner wall of the tubular body, as will be seen later; the walls external here vertical of the tubular body and its end possibly reported (10) are aligned so that they have no part protruding outside the housing can interfere. The internal allowance, possible, gives the upper end (10) of the housing a greater rigidity so that the seal of the device according to the invention is found improved without decreasing the capacity of said housing.

L'extrémité supérieure (10) comporte un épaulement (11) pratiqué dans la paroi intérieure; cet épaulement peut être pratiqué sur la totalité ou une partie seulement de la périphérie de ladite paroi intérieure. Il est tel que le disque ou couronne d'appui (12) peut y reposer de façon stable; le disque ou couronne d'appui est circulaire et a une face supérieure , une face inférieure et une paroi latérale cylindrique.The upper end (10) has a shoulder (11) formed in the interior wall; this shoulder can be practiced on all or part only from the periphery of said interior wall. It is such that the disc or support ring (12) can rest there stably; the disc or crown support is circular and has an upper face, a lower face and a cylindrical side wall.

Sur la face supérieure du disque ou couronne d'appui circulaire (12) prend place un premier disque plein circulaire (13), lequel disque plein (13) comprend à sa périphérie des moyens d'étanchéité comprenant un chanfrein (14) pratiqué à la place de son arête périphérique inférieure et un joint torique le plus souvent métallique (15) prenant place dans le logement créé par ledit chanfrein (14). Le joint métallique peut être du type Hélicoflex (marque déposée) ou tout autre joint métallique possédant des propriétés semblables. On the upper face of the disc or circular support crown (12) takes places a first circular full disc (13), which solid disc (13) comprises at its periphery sealing means comprising a chamfer (14) made in place of its lower peripheral edge and a most often metallic O-ring (15) taking place in the housing created by said chamfer (14). The metal joint can be of the Helicoflex type (registered trademark) or any other metallic seal with properties alike.

Une autre réalisation consisterait en ce que le disque inférieur (13) prenne appui directement sur l'épaulement (11).
L'étanchéité est assurée par le joint métallique (15) entre la paroi intérieure verticale cylindrique à section circulaire de la pièce d'extrémité (10) [ ou de l'extrémité du corps tubulaire (1) dans le cas où il n'y aurait pas de pièce d'extrémité spécifique rajoutée ] et l'une ou l'autre de la surface du chanfrein ou de la face supérieure horizontale du disque d'appui.
Another embodiment would consist in that the lower disc (13) bears directly on the shoulder (11).
Sealing is ensured by the metal seal (15) between the cylindrical vertical inner wall with circular section of the end piece (10) [or the end of the tubular body (1) in the case where there is would have no specific end piece added] and one or the other of the surface of the chamfer or of the horizontal upper face of the support disc.

Ce mode de réalisation avec un disque d'appui est particulièrement intéressant car il permet de comprimer le joint (15) et de garantir l'étanchéité quand l'épaulement (11) n'est pas réalisé sur toute la périphérie de la paroi intérieure, grâce en particulier au fait que ladite étanchéité est obtenue au moins en partie par appui du joint sur la partie verticale de la paroi intérieure.This embodiment with a support disc is particularly interesting because it makes it possible to compress the seal (15) and to guarantee sealing when the shoulder (11) is not produced over the entire periphery of the wall interior, thanks in particular to the fact that said seal is obtained at less in part by pressing the seal on the vertical part of the inner wall.

Pour avoir une meilleure garantie d'étanchéité et pouvoir mieux la contrôler, un deuxième disque plein (13') identique au disque (13), avec son chanfrein (14') et son joint métallique (15'), est posé sur la face supérieure du disque (13); le joint (15') est de même compressé par réaction sur la face supérieure du disque plein (13) inférieur sur lequel il repose.
Le dispositif de serrage, non représenté, est situé entièrement à l'intérieur de la pièce d'extrémité (10) [ ou le cas échéant du corps tubulaire (1) ]. Généralement il est de type connu et comporte des moyens de serrage coopérant avec la paroi intérieure qui permettent d'obtenir l'étanchéité de la fermeture du boítier par compression des joints (15, 15') en appuyant verticalement sur le disque supérieur.
To have a better guarantee of tightness and to be able to better control it, a second full disc (13 ') identical to the disc (13), with its chamfer (14') and its metal seal (15 '), is placed on the face upper disc (13); the seal (15 ') is likewise compressed by reaction on the upper face of the solid disk (13) below on which it rests.
The clamping device, not shown, is located entirely inside the end piece (10) [or, where appropriate, the tubular body (1)]. Generally it is of known type and comprises clamping means cooperating with the inner wall which allow to obtain the seal of the closure of the housing by compression of the seals (15, 15 ') by pressing vertically on the upper disc.

On voit qu'en serrant on comprimera les joints (15, 15') pour obtenir une étanchéité entre les chanfreins des disques pleins (13) et (13') et la paroi intérieure de la pièce d'extrémité (10) [ ou le cas échéant de l'extrémité du corps tubulaire (1) ]. We see that by tightening we will compress the joints (15, 15 ') to obtain a sealing between the chamfers of the solid discs (13) and (13 ') and the wall inside of the end piece (10) [or where appropriate the end of the tubular body (1)].

De façon simple et modulaire le nombre de disques pleins peut être augmenté à la demande pour améliorer encore le degré de garantie de l'étanchéité.In a simple and modular way the number of full discs can be increased on demand to further improve the degree of guarantee of sealing.

Il apparaít que le dispositif de fermeture réversible selon l'invention est simple à réaliser, autorise le passage en totalité du boítier (MPC) à travers un suremballage (OP) d'une extrémité à l'autre et permet d'atteindre simultanément une étanchéité élevée et une résistance mécanique répondant aux exigences règlementaires de sûreté.It appears that the reversible closure device according to the invention is simple to realize, authorizes the passage of the entire housing (MPC) through a overwrap (OP) from one end to the other and allows to reach simultaneously high sealing and mechanical resistance meeting regulatory safety requirements.

Claims (3)

Dispositif de fermeture étanche amovible d'un boítier métallique de confinement à usage multiple pour assemblages combustibles nucléaires irradiés, essentiellement constitué d'un corps tubulaire (1) ayant un grand axe vertical, d'une extrémité inférieure obturée par un fond soudé et d'une extrémité supérieure totalement ouverte, ledit boítier étant destiné à être entièrement inclus dans un suremballage métallique à parois épaisses, ledit dispositif de fermeture comprenant : au moins deux disques pleins métalliques amovibles (13, 13') entièrement situés à l'intérieur dudit corps tubulaire, prenant appui, directement ou par l'intermédiaire d'un disque ou couronne d'appui (12), sur un épaulement (11) pratiqué dans la paroi intérieure du corps tubulaire (1) sur tout ou partie de sa périphérie, à proximité de son extrémité supérieure, chacun desdits disques pleins métalliques (13, 13') comportant des moyens d'étanchéité (14, 15, 14' 15') situés à sa périphérie coopérant avec une partie verticale de la paroi intérieure du corps tubulaire, un dispositif de serrage, situé à l'intérieur du corps tubulaire au-dessus desdits disques pleins métalliques (13, 13') et agissant sur eux, permettant de réaliser l'étanchéité. Removable leaktight closure device for a multi-use metal containment box for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies, essentially consisting of a tubular body (1) having a large vertical axis, of a lower end closed by a welded bottom and of a fully open upper end, said housing being intended to be entirely included in a metallic overwrap with thick walls, said closure device comprising: at least two removable solid metal discs (13, 13 ') entirely located inside said tubular body, bearing, directly or by means of a bearing disc or crown (12), on a shoulder (11 ) formed in the inner wall of the tubular body (1) over all or part of its periphery, near its upper end, each of said solid metal discs (13, 13 ') comprising sealing means (14, 15, 14 '15') located at its periphery cooperating with a vertical part of the inner wall of the tubular body, a clamping device, located inside the tubular body above said solid metal discs (13, 13 ') and acting on them, making it possible to achieve sealing. Dispositif selon la revendication 1 caractérisé en ce que l'épaisseur du corps tubulaire (1) est comprise entre 1 et 10 cm et son diamètre entre 0,5 et 2,5 m et l'épaisseur des disques pleins métalliques (13, 13') est d'au moins 15 mm.Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the thickness of the body tubular (1) is between 1 and 10 cm and its diameter between 0.5 and 2.5 m and the thickness of the solid metal discs (13, 13 ') is at least 15 mm. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce que les moyens d'étanchéité périphériques des disques (13, 13') comprennent chacun un logement situé à la périphérie des disques constitué par un chanfrein situé à la place de l'arête inférieure périphérique desdits disques métalliques (13, 13') et la face supérieure soit de l'épaulement (11) soit du disque ou couronne d'appui intermédiaire (12), et un joint torique d'étanchéité (15, 15') de préférence métallique prenant appui sur ledit chanfrein, ladite face supérieure et la paroi intérieure verticale du corps tubulaire (1).Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in what the peripheral sealing means of the discs (13, 13 ') each include a housing located at the periphery of the discs consisting of a chamfer located in place of the peripheral lower edge of said metal discs (13, 13 ') and the upper face is of the shoulder (11) or of the intermediate support disc or crown (12), and a metal O-ring (15, 15 ') preferably taking support on said chamfer, said upper face and the inner wall vertical of the tubular body (1).
EP98420076A 1997-05-06 1998-05-04 Sealed closure system for multi-purpose confinement container for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies of high activity waste material Expired - Lifetime EP0877388B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9705861A FR2763170B1 (en) 1997-05-06 1997-05-06 SEALED CLOSURE DEVICE FOR A MULTI-PURPOSE CONTAINMENT HOUSING FOR HIGH-ACTIVITY IRRADIATED NUCLEAR FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FR9705861 1997-05-06

Publications (2)

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EP0877388A1 true EP0877388A1 (en) 1998-11-11
EP0877388B1 EP0877388B1 (en) 2003-02-12

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EP98420076A Expired - Lifetime EP0877388B1 (en) 1997-05-06 1998-05-04 Sealed closure system for multi-purpose confinement container for irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies of high activity waste material

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US (1) US6058154A (en)
EP (1) EP0877388B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH10319175A (en)
KR (1) KR19980086566A (en)
DE (1) DE69811285T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2192315T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2763170B1 (en)

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DE102012101319B4 (en) * 2012-02-17 2013-12-24 Siempelkamp Nukleartechnik Gmbh Disposal container and method for producing the same

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2192315T3 (en) 2003-10-01
KR19980086566A (en) 1998-12-05
DE69811285D1 (en) 2003-03-20
JPH10319175A (en) 1998-12-04
US6058154A (en) 2000-05-02
EP0877388B1 (en) 2003-02-12
DE69811285T2 (en) 2003-11-27
FR2763170A1 (en) 1998-11-13
FR2763170B1 (en) 1999-06-18

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