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EP0044381B1 - Méthode pour traiter les matériaux radioactifs et récipient pour enfermer de tels matériaux - Google Patents

Méthode pour traiter les matériaux radioactifs et récipient pour enfermer de tels matériaux Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0044381B1
EP0044381B1 EP19810103570 EP81103570A EP0044381B1 EP 0044381 B1 EP0044381 B1 EP 0044381B1 EP 19810103570 EP19810103570 EP 19810103570 EP 81103570 A EP81103570 A EP 81103570A EP 0044381 B1 EP0044381 B1 EP 0044381B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
lid
compression
wall portion
bellows
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19810103570
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0044381A1 (fr
Inventor
Hans Larker
Ragnar Tegman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ABB Norden Holding AB
Original Assignee
ASEA AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from SE8003698A external-priority patent/SE423655B/sv
Priority claimed from SE8003699A external-priority patent/SE426114B/sv
Application filed by ASEA AB filed Critical ASEA AB
Publication of EP0044381A1 publication Critical patent/EP0044381A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0044381B1 publication Critical patent/EP0044381B1/fr
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F9/00—Treating radioactively contaminated material; Decontamination arrangements therefor
    • G21F9/28—Treating solids
    • G21F9/34—Disposal of solid waste
    • G21F9/36—Disposal of solid waste by packaging; by baling

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method of treating material including radioactive material according to the prior art portion of claim 1 and a container used in said method.
  • the first stage is to transform the waste into solid state and, for example, convert it into a solid, crystalline material having good chemical resistance and being capable of resisting leaching by water.
  • One way of achieving this is to compress, at a high temperature and a high pressure, a mixture of waste and a resistant material in particulate form into a massive, solid body where the active material becomes permanently bound.
  • a method of achieving such a solid body is disclosed in US Patent 4,172,807. Radioactive metal scrap or radioactive ashes may be treated in a similar manner.
  • containers may be filled with waste material in particulate form and sealed in a relatively simple manner.
  • the equipment used for the filling and the sealing is relatively simple and may therefore be cleaned in a simple manner prior to any necessary repair work.
  • the furnace equipment for the hot pressing is complicated and much more difficult to clean after a possible contamination.
  • Compressing material of the afore-mentioned type in a bellows-shaped container with a hydraulic press carries the disadvantage that a compression to theoretical density is unachiev- able and that the density of the compressed material is not homogeneous. Particularly the material trapped in the crevices formed by the compressed corrugated side walls of the container shows a very low density. This is particularly harmful with radioactive material, which is prone to leaching if the density is unsufficient. Furthermore the method known from US-A-3 160 502 is not usable for a material, which has a very low fill factor like particulate or piece-formed material.
  • the invention aims at further developing a method of the above-mentioned kind which allows to compress material including radioactive particulate or piece-formed material to a solid body of extremely high and homogeneous density.
  • a container usable in the method according to the invention is characterised by the features of claim 6. Further developments of such a container carry the features of the claims 7 to 10.
  • the invention thus relates, on the one hand, to a method of enclosing radioactive particulate or piece-formed material in a redundant gas-tight container and converting the material into a solid body by compression at a necessary high temperature and a necessary high pressure in an isostatic press, and on the other hand to a container for enclosing the above-mentioned material.
  • the material to be contained may consist of a mixture of radioactive material and a material resistant to leaching by water. A risk of contamination of the furnace and its gas supply system may arise if pressure gas should leak into the capsule during the pressing and, during the decompression after the pressing, blow out radioactive material from the container.
  • the container is suitably made as a multi-layer container to make it redundant, thus in all essentials eliminating the risk of leakage.
  • the container is built up of two or more capsules, arranged one inside the other, of different materials, for example of titanium and stainless steel.
  • the material to be contained possesses such properties that it cannot be packed into high density when filling the container, problems will often occur during the pressing because of great distortion during the compression.
  • a long capsule may be bent to such an extent that it will get into contact with the walls of the furnace space or with heating elements in the furnace, resulting in the furnace being damaged and in difficulties in removing the pressed container. Distortion problems arise at a fill factor of about 60% and are accentuated with decreasing fill factor. The difficulties in achieving such a high fill factor as 60% are especially great when it is a question of enclosing pieces of cladding tubes.
  • the distortion problems are reduced and the compression is facilitated by enclosing the material to be compressed in a container of such a shape that an axial compression of the container is facilitated.
  • the container may be made with a corrugated sheath with a substantially plane lid and plane bottom, or with a cylindrical sheath with a lid and/or bottom which is/are joined to the sheath by a bellows projecting into the sheath. This bellows or these bellows make possible an axial insertion of the lid and the bottom and an axial compression of the contained material.
  • containers with a cylindrical side wall and a corrugated lid and bottom can be used.
  • the material contained in the container is according to the invention converted into a solid body by isostatic compression at a high temperature.
  • the filling density may be increased prior to the hot pressing by an axial compression of the container in cold condition.
  • This compression may be carried out between press tables or between pistons in a hydraulic press or isostatically in a pressure chamber under the influence of a gaseous or liquid pressure medium. This latter method of pressing is possible for a container with a corrugated sheath side wall because of its great radial stiffness but small axial stiffness. The compression before the hot pressing to a density exceeding 70% of the theoretical density is desirable.
  • the axial compression of the material in the capsule results in a smaller radial compression of the sheath during the final hot pressing into a solid body than what would otherwise be the case. This contributes effectively to reduce the distortion during the hot pressing.
  • the container is suitably placed in a container with axial guide means preventing bending of the container during its axial compression.
  • the corrugated sheath and the bellows also facilitate the axial compression during the hot pressing. During the pressing in the pressure furnace a somewhat greater axial compression is obtained than with a container of a conventional design.
  • the container 1 is constructed with a corrugated sheath 2, with a plane bottom 3 and with a plane lid 4.
  • the opening of the lid 4 is gas-tightly sealed by the lid 5.
  • the container 1 is built up of two sheet-metal capsules arranged one inside the other, the sheaths, bottom and lids of said capsules being designated 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5a, 5b.
  • the container 1 is filled with a radioactive material 6.
  • the material in the inner capsule may be titanium, and in the outer capsule stainless steel.
  • the container 11 is constructed with a cylindrical sheath 12, a plane bottom 13 which is joined to the sheath 12-by a bellows 14, projecting into the container 11, and a lid 15 which is joined to the sheath 12 by a bellows 16 projecting into the container 11.
  • the opening of the lid 15 is sealed by a lid 17.
  • the container 11 is built up of two sheet-metal capsules arranged one inside the other, the sheaths, bottoms, bellows and lids of which are designated 12a, 12b, 13a, 13b, 14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 15a and 15b.
  • the container 11 is filled with a radioactive material 6.
  • the container 19 of Figure 3 is composed of two bottle-shaped capsules 20 and 21.
  • the inner capsule 20 may consist of, for example, titanium, the outer of, for example, stainless steel.
  • the inner capsule 20 is made with a relatively small neck 22 with a flange 23 and is sealed by a lid 24 which, after the filling, is gas-tightly joined to the flange 23 by welding.
  • the capsule 21 is formed with an opening 25 with an inclined flange 26.
  • a lid composed of parts 27 and 28 is adapted to the opening 25. Part 27 of this lid is formed with a flange 29 which, when sealing the capsule 21, is gas-tightly joined to the flange 26 by welding.
  • the space between the neck 22 and the lid 27, 28 is filled with a supporting metal block 30, which prevents too great a deformation of the lid part 27 during the pressing.
  • the bottom portions of the capsule parts 20 and 21 as well as their upper end portions are constructed with annular corrugations 31, 32 and 33, 34, respectively. These facilitate an axial compression of the capsule during the initial stage of the pressing and provide a certain axial compaction which eliminates, or at least reduces, the distortion of the capsule during the pressing.
  • the capsule is supported on a supporting ring 36.
  • Figure 4 shows the container according to Figure 3 after the pressing.
  • the contents 35 for example scrap of cladding tubes, have been pressed to practically full density.
  • Containers of the kind described above may have a length of between 2000 and 3000 mm and a diameter of 500-600 mm.
  • the capsules 20 and 21 and their respective lids are bonded together after the pressing.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Press Drives And Press Lines (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)

Claims (10)

1. Procédé de traitement d'une matière comprenant de la matière (6) radioactive en particules ou en morceaux, en enfermant la matière dans un récipient (1) étanche aux gaz ayant au moins une portion de paroi (2, 14, 16, 31, 32, 33, 34) ondulée ou semblable à un soufflet, et en comprimant la matière (6) en un corps solidé à une température et sous la pression qui sont nécessaires, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à effectuer la transformation de la matière (6) en un corps solide, par compression isostatique à une température élevée, et en ce que le récipient n'est pratiquement pas supporté en vue d'être protégé d'un flambage latéral.
2. Procédé suivant la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à comprimer axialement les récipients (1, 11) à la température ambiante, après les avoir emplis de la matière (6) et avant la compression isostatique finale à température élevée.
3. Procédé suivant la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à effectuer la compression de manière à densifier la matière (6) dans les récipients (1,11), jusqu'à 40% ou davantage de la masse volumique qui est possible théoriquement.
4. Procédé suivant la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à effectuer la compression à température ambiante par voie mécanique.
5. Procédé suivant la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il consiste à effectuer la compression à la température ambiante par voie isostatique dans une chambre de pression, sous l'influence d'un milieu de pression gazeux ou liquide.
6. Récipient (1, 11, 19) utilisé dans le procédé suivant l'une des revendications précédentes, pour enfermer de la matière comprenant de la matière (6, 35) radioactive en particules ou en morceaux, qui est transformée en un corps solide par compression isostatique à une température élevée, caractérisé en ce que les parois du récipient sont munies d'au moins une portion de paroi ondulée (2, 14, 16, 31, 32, 33, 34).
7. Récipient suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que la portion de paroi consiste en une portion de paroi semblable à des soufflets (27; figure 1).
8. Récipient suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le récipient (11) a une enveloppe (12) cylindrique, avec un couvercle (15) et/ou un fond (13) qui sont réunis à l'enveloppe (12) par la portion de paroi, qui consiste en soufflets (14, 16) faisant saillie dans l'enveloppe cylindrique (12; figure 2).
9. Récipient suivant la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce que le récipient (11) a une enveloppe cylindrique avec un couvercle et un fond et la portion de paroi consiste en une portion de fond et/ou de couvercle munis d'ondulations annulaires (31, 32, 33, 34; figure 3).
10. Récipient suivant l'une des revendications 6 à 9, caractérisé en ce que le récipient (1, 11, 19) est constitué d'au moins deux capsules (2a, 2b, 12a, 12b, 20, 21) l'une dans l'autre.
EP19810103570 1980-05-19 1981-05-11 Méthode pour traiter les matériaux radioactifs et récipient pour enfermer de tels matériaux Expired EP0044381B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
SE8003698A SE423655B (sv) 1980-05-19 1980-05-19 Sett att omvandla partikelformigt radioaktivt material till en fast kropp
SE8003699 1980-05-19
SE8003699A SE426114B (sv) 1980-05-19 1980-05-19 Sett att omvandla radioaktivt partikel- eller styckeformigt material
SE8003698 1980-05-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0044381A1 EP0044381A1 (fr) 1982-01-27
EP0044381B1 true EP0044381B1 (fr) 1985-04-03

Family

ID=26657574

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19810103570 Expired EP0044381B1 (fr) 1980-05-19 1981-05-11 Méthode pour traiter les matériaux radioactifs et récipient pour enfermer de tels matériaux

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0044381B1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3169647D1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3213497C2 (de) * 1982-04-10 1985-12-19 GNS Gesellschaft für Nuklear-Service mbH, 4300 Essen Verfahren zum Kompaktieren von radioaktiven Abfallstoffen
US4645624A (en) * 1982-08-30 1987-02-24 Australian Atomic Energy Commission Containment and densification of particulate material
EP0102246B1 (fr) * 1982-08-30 1987-11-04 AUSTRALIAN NUCLEAR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION Emballage et densification d'un matériau particulaire
FR2533743A1 (fr) * 1982-09-28 1984-03-30 Commissariat Energie Atomique Procede et dispositif pour le stockage par compactage de materiaux souples contamines
SE442562B (sv) * 1983-01-26 1986-01-13 Asea Ab Sett att innesluta radioaktivt eller annat farligt avfall och en behallare for sadant avfall
JPH0731280B2 (ja) * 1988-02-01 1995-04-10 株式会社神戸製鋼所 放射性金属廃棄物の減容固化方法
WO1990003648A1 (fr) * 1988-09-27 1990-04-05 Australian Nuclear Science & Technology Organisation Compression a chaud de materiaux particulaires
FR2741049B1 (fr) * 1995-11-15 1998-01-30 Cogema Conteneurs de conditionnement et de stockage, notamment de dechets dangereux manipules a distance ; procede pour leur remplissage
US9089896B2 (en) * 2009-07-29 2015-07-28 General Electric Company Device and method for hot isostatic pressing
PL2715737T3 (pl) 2011-06-02 2016-10-31 Sposób przechowywania niebezpiecznego materiału odpadowego
AU2011369818B2 (en) 2011-06-02 2015-08-13 Australian Nuclear Science And Technology Organisation Modularized process flow facility plan for storing hazardous waste material

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3160502A (en) * 1960-10-10 1964-12-08 American Beryllium Company Inc Method of making beryllium billets
US4209420A (en) * 1976-12-21 1980-06-24 Asea Aktiebolag Method of containing spent nuclear fuel or high-level nuclear fuel waste
FR2375695A1 (fr) * 1976-12-21 1978-07-21 Asea Ab Procede pour le traitement de dechets radioactifs

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE3169647D1 (en) 1985-05-09
EP0044381A1 (fr) 1982-01-27

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