DE3324543A1 - Method and double container for manipulating a transfer cask - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for manipulating a transfer cask, in which the transfer cask (10) is arranged in a double container which consists of an internal and an external container (12, 15). After manipulation of the transfer cask (10) in a deep part (16) of a water basin (14), the double container, which contains the transfer cask (10), is conveyed to a flat part (13) of the water basin (14) on which the upper part of the external container (15) projects beyond the water surface of the water basin (14). The transfer cask (10) is drawn up from the water basin (14) while it is contained in the internal container (12), which does not come into contact with the contaminated water in the water basin (14). The external container (15), which comes into contact with the contaminated water, remains in the water basin (14). A double container which is suitable for carrying out this method is likewise proposed. …<IMAGE>…

Description

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Method and double container for handling a transfer container

The invention relates to a method for handling a reloading container or a container for transporting or shipping a radioactive material, for example! a spent nuclear fuel in radioactively contaminated water and a double container that is used to carry out such a process . ;

Placing spent nuclear fuel in a transshipment; container or the removal of the fuel from the transfer container is generally done remotely in a: water basin. The water in the water basin is subject to radioactive contamination, so that when the transfer container is placed directly into the water basin, the surface of the transfer container is contaminated. Since a large number of heat radiation fins are arranged around the outer surface of the transfer container around, its heat radiation capacity. to improve, it is extremely difficult to improve the Uralade-; wash the container when it is pulled out of the water basin, or carry out decontamination afterwards. In addition, a large number of work steps are required in order to wash the transfer container and to carry out the decontamination. ^:

In order to overcome these difficulties to some extent, various methods have been proposed. For example, a previously mentioned prepackaging process has been proposed in which the U: n! It is

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a so-called admission procedure is still proposed! been in which the transfer container in a steel container; and then immersed in the water basin. However, in these conventional _procedural: reindeer of Umladebehälter together with the film or loading '· ■

holder after its handling in the water out of the water- j basin is pulled out and transported to the work area outside the water basin, the work area becomes exposed to the film or container, the surface of which due to contact with the contaminated Water in the water basin is also contaminated. This has: the consequence that a secondary contamination, for example a Air contamination, and contamination of the soil due to the contaminated water droplets falling on it occurs. These problems thus remain unsolved.

The invention is therefore intended to provide a method for handling a transshipment container the problems described above and a radioactive contamination of the Umladebehälttirs. and the work area for the transshipment container.

The invention is to continue to goschaf- a device! fen which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for handling a transfer container. .; .. i

In the method according to the invention there is essentially a! Transfer container arranged in a double container, which consists of an inner and an outer container. After handling the transshipment container in the deep part of a water basin, the double container containing the transshipment container is transported to a shallow part of the v / acser basin, where the upper part of the drainage basin -.- 'rs over the Mi'. ^ Sovobcr surface dos Out of the water basin. The unloading container is pulled out of the water basin while it is in the inner container

ter is included, which does not come into contact with the contaminated water in the water basin, and the outer container, that comes into contact with the contaminated water remains in the water basin.

The device according to the invention leads to a double container in which a transfer container is enclosed. Of the Double container consists of an inner and an outer container, each of which is an open or a lidless cylindrical container A container having a foot at its lower part and an outwardly projecting connecting flange at its upper part. The inner container can accommodate the transfer container in itself, and the outer container can hold the inner container inside. The gap between the transshipment container and the inner container is through an inflatable seal placed between them is hermetically sealed. The space between the inner and outer container is through a Ring seal hermetically sealed, which is arranged between the connecting flanges of the inner and outer container is.

Particularly preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the

according to the procedure,

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the

Type of double cylinder use according to the invention,

Fig. J5 is an enlarged vertical section

looks at the part shown in Fig.2

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is surrounded by a circle III, 'and;

FIGS. 4A to 41 'are schematic representations of the

Sequence of work according to an embodiment of the invention.

In Fig. 1, the inventive method for handling a transfer container is shown with the successive steps a) to f). Step a) consists in arranging a transfer container 10 in an open or uncovered inner container 12 outside the V / asserbeckens, wherein 'the closure head part 11 of the transfer container 10 is exposed. Step b) consists in hermetically sealing off the space between the outer wall of the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12. In step c) the inner container 12 is arranged in an open or coverless outer container 15, the closure head part 11 still being exposed, whereupon the space between the outer container 15 and the inner container 12 is hermetically sealed. The outer container is arranged in the flat part 13 of the V / asserbeckens so that the upper open edge det, outer container 15 protrudes beyond the water surface Λ ^ι \ of the water basin. Step d) consists in conveying the double container formed in this way from the outer container 15 and the inner container 12, which contains the transfer container 10, to the deep part 16 of the basin, at the double container that contains the transfer container contains, is completely submerged under the water surface 14 of the water basin and the closure head part 11 of the transfer container 10 in the deep part 16 of the water basin c to open and close in order to zoom out or load a radioactive object from the Uraladehältcr or into the U: nladebehältor. De: - ·. ". Ei.um" It o) bcotoht in it, the double. · :. ■ · container that contains the Uiniluüobehälters 10, to the shallow

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To convey part 13 of the water basin, on which the upper open edge of the outer container 15 over the water surface ! 14 protrudes beyond the water basin. In step f)! the inner container 12, which contains the transfer container, for Conveyed outside of the water basin, while the outer container 15 remains in the flat part 13 of the water basin, and the transfer container 10 is removed from the inner container 12 outside the water basin.

According to the invention it is not absolutely necessary that

to carry out the method steps described above in this temporal sequence. For example, the step b),

in which the space between the transfer container 10 and; the inner container 12 is tightly closed, generally carried out outside of the water basin, this ι step b) can, however, also in the flat part 13 of the water! basin after step c), in which the \ inner container 12 is arranged in the outer container 15. If an inflatable seal, which is described below ^! is used for this tight seal, the; inflatable seal first around the top open edge of the; Inner container 12 can be fitted outside the water basin: and the complete sealing, ie the complete inflation of the seal, can finally take place after the inner container 12 with the inflatable seal in the outer container 15 is arranged in the flat part 13 of the water basin.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the space between the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12 are tightly closed in that an annular clamping plate 19 over the upper open end of the space is clamped via one or more seals 17. The twist between the inner and outer container 12, 15 can be tightly closed by a flexible seal 18 between the connecting flanges

12a, 15a of the two containers is arranged and through the Load of the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12 compressed -will. In this way the seal is made using the flexible gasket 18 without any clamping means completed. If necessary, compressed air, distilled water or the like can be in this Spaces are invited.

After the radioactive object is loaded into the transfer container 10 at the deep part 16 of the water basin (step d)) or is removed from the transfer container 10, the double container that contains the transfer container is used for flat part 13 of the water basin pulled out (step e)). When pulling up the double container or after it is pulled up to the shallow part 13 of the water basin the closure head part 11 and the upper part of the transfer container 10, the contaminated water in the water basin

j were exposed by washing with water or other measures subjected to decontamination.

! In the method of handling a

Umladebehäo-ters remains the outer container 15, which is connected to the kon-ι taminated water comes into contact, always inside the. Water basin and the outer container 15 is not the Arj work area transported, so that the contamination of the work area is decreased. Because the transfer container in the Irinenbehalter 12 is arranged in the work area outside the water basin, this work process can be carried out safely and reliably. : to be carried out casually. Since, moreover, the Umladebe-; holder is pulled out of the water basin while he ι is included in the inner container 12, the water runs evenly from the inner container 12 and can reduce the working time be reduced.

In the following, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a device is shown

described, which is suitable for carrying out the method according to the invention for handling a transfer container. In FIGS. 2 and 3, a double container construction is shown which primarily consists of an inner and an outer container, as is the case with the double container shown in FIG. The double container comprises namely an: open or lidless cylindrical inner container 12, which has a foot on its lower part and an outwardly projecting connecting flange 12a on its upper part and can hold a transfer container 10 inside, as well as an open or lidless cylindrical outer container 15, which has a foot at its lower part and an outwardly projecting connecting flange 15a at its open upper end and can hold the inner container 12 inside. An inflatable seal 20 is around _the: paired upper and open edge of the inner container 12 disposed between the upper part of the Umladebehälters 10 and the inner container 12th The inflatable seal 20 may have the following two _: ; hermetically seal the shear space between the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12 when it is inflated. Between the flange 12a of the inner container and the

; Flange 15a of the Außenbeliälters sits a ring seal 18 ^; with which the space between these two containers 12, 15 is hermetically sealed.

As shown in detail in FIG. 3, the inflatable seal 20 comprises an annular rubber plate 21 and

'■ an inflatable annular tube 22 which is formed along one of the peripheral edges of the annular rubber plate 21. dot is. The inflatable tube 22 is held between two spaced-apart tube holding pads 23a and 23b, which are placed around the upper tube of the :. Urn loading container 10 are fitted, licr unto: ν Imfaii ^ rand dc j · Cur.Hlplatte 21 is using a-ε Kic.ir.ibaac.lc;:; ? J \ lost held on the outer peripheral surface of the inner container 12. The sealing of the

Space between the order loading container 10 and the inner container 12 can therefore by inflating the inflatable tube 22 and by the firm contact of the rubber plate 21 take place on the inner container 12 as a result of the clamping band 24. A large number of heat radiation fins 25 are in the generally around the outer peripheral surface of a conventional one Umladebehalters 10 fitted to increase the heat radiation effect. Therefore, if two of these heat radiation fins 25 at the top positions as holding plates for the inflatable Hose are used, existing conventional transfer containers can be used in an advantageous manner without any modification can be used in the method according to the invention.

The inflatable tube 22 is inflated by admitting water under pressure and it comes into one close contact with the upper part of the urn loading container. For this purpose, a quick coupling 27 for pressurization and a Quick coupling 23 for venting in the inflatable tube 22 intended. A quick coupling 29 for feeding in clean Water is provided in the annular rubber plate 21 to clear the space between the transfer container 10 and the Fill inner container 12 with clean water.

The sealing of the space between the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12 is carried out in the following way. The inflatable tube 22 is first fitted between the tube retaining plates 23a and 23b of the transfer container 10, and the lower edge of the annular rubber plate 21 is attached to the upper open edge of the inner ventilator 12 by the clip band 24. Then clean water is poured into the intermediate space through the quick coupling 29 for supplying clean water, when the water completely fills the intermediate space. The self-closing rapid vent 20 for ventilation is then opened and clean water is fed into the inflatable tube 12 through the rapid vent.

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clutch 27 filled for pressurization. When the water overflows from the quick coupling 28 for ventilation, the coupling 28 is closed and water continues to be under pressure in the inflatable tube 22, the quick coupling 27 for pressurization entered to the inflatable tube 22 to inflate and thus complete the seal. If a separate ventilation valve, not shown in the drawing is provided in the annular rubber plate 21, it may be possible to use a working sequence in which the inflatable tube 22 is first inflated to complete the seal and at the same time or then clean water is poured into the space between the transfer container 10 and the inner container 12.

The intermediate space between the inner container 12 and the outer container 15 can be sealed in the same way as was described above with reference to FIG. 1, with water being filled into the intermediate space until it is completely filled with water. In this case, it is preferable to fit the flexible ring seal 18 on the upper outer surface of the connecting flange 15a of the outer container beforehand, since such an arrangement makes the work easier. If the inner container 12 is made of stainless steel with smooth surfaces, cleaning in the following '' step becomes easier. An unillustrated weight that prevents' swimming of the container, preferably at the ^off: attached senbehälter 15, so that the container 15 even; then remains stable when the inner container 12 from the outer; container is removed. The outer container is preferably provided with a mouth (not shown) in order to supply a pressurized fluid to the space between the inner and outer container and thereby prevent the outer container 15 from being pulled up by suction when the inner container 12 leaves the outer container. is taken out, so that the outer container 15 in the flat part

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13 of the Viasser basin remains.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 2, the inflatable hose 22 is connected via a quick coupling 27 and a pipe 32 to a: first drop tank 30, which is arranged at a higher point \ so that a pressure around a certain 'Value is above the external pressure, on the inflatable tube j 22 is independent of the water depth. The space between the transfer container and the inner container is also connected via a quick coupling 29 and a pipe 34 to a second drop tank 33, which is arranged at a higher point so that a certain fourth. The pressure in the space above the external pressure is independent ^! depends on the water depth. In this case, the internal pressure of the inflatable tube 22 is set to a value higher than that of the water pressure in the space. For this purpose, the first drop tank 30 is arranged at a point which is above that of the second drop tank 33 or the surface of the water inside the first drop tank 30 is pressurized by compressed air. With this arrangement, since a pressure which is a specific fourth higher than the external pressure is always applied to the space and prevails in the inflatable tube 22, regardless of the depth of the via, the ingress of water from the water basin can be completely prevented. '

The method of the invention is described, for example, for easy understanding over time based on the \ removal of spent nuclear fuel from dom UmIadebehälter. It should be noted, however, that the following explanation is only a typical example and that the Ab.ro !! ro dor Ai-'bc-itcvcrgünijo is not restricted to the exact sequence described. Deviations from the explanation of the above implementation example mean

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thus that the sequence of operations can be modified.

After the transfer container 10 has been transported to a reprocessing point, the upper and lower Buffer element of the transfer container is removed and the transfer container in the inner container 12 is placed in a transfer container

decontamination space 40 arranged, as it is, in Fig. 4A ones shown, ^{the first} In this space, the internal pressure of the transshipment container is relieved via a ventilation valve and the cooling water in the urn loading container is replaced by pure water. FIG. 4b shows the inner container 12 on which the inflatable seal 20 is attached after the space between the transfer container and the inner container has been filled with pure water. After removing the locking head bolt of the transshipment container and attaching a locking head fitting part 41 to the transshipment container, a suspension element 49 for the inner container is attached to the inner container, as shown in FIG and to one; Fuel discharge water basin conveyed.

. As shown in Figure 4D, the inner container 12, which contains the Umladebehälter inside, is lowered into the outer container 15 of the fuel located in the flat part ^13: stoffentladewasserbeckens located in, and will be the suspension - [element 49 for Inner container removed. The pipe 34 for supplying pure water is connected to the inner container 12 via the quick coupling 29 in order to completely fill the inner container with pure water. Thereafter, the pipeline 32 for supplying pure water under pressure is connected to the inflatable seal 20 via the quick coupling 27 in order to inflate the seal 20 and seal the space between the transfer container and the inner container. Next, in the manner shown in FIG. 4E, the outer container 15,

which contains the transfer container and the inner container, to the deep part 16 of the water basin using a boom Λ3 promoted. In the deep part 16 dos water basin the closure head part 11 is from the transfer container via a Bolt head hanger 44 removed as shown in Figure 4F is shown, and the spent fuel assembly 46 is removed from the transshipment container by a fuel handling tool of the fuel unloading basin crane 45 and placed in a fuel storage basket 48. The basket 48 is then placed on an underwater car and transported to a fuel storage pool (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 4G, the empty transfer container after removing the used fuel, the inner and outer containers 15 are raised together to the flat part 13 of the water basin while they are roughly through pure water showers 47 are decontaminated. The shutter head part 11 is simultaneously showered with pure water decontaminated and placed on the transfer container. The pipes 32 and 34 for supplying pure water are separated as shown in Fig. 4H, and the hanger 49 for the inner container is on the exposed attached to the upper part of the inner container. Then, as shown in Fig. 41, the inner container becomes 12, which contains the transfer container, from the outer container 15 to pulled up while the outer container 15 in the water basin remains behind. After the water has drained off sufficiently, the inner container 12 becomes the transfer container decontamination room 40 returned.

In the interior of the transfer container decontamination space 40, the suspension element 49 for the inner container is then placed and the bolt head fitting 41 removed and the bolt head bolts attached. After the upper part of the transfer container has been decontaminated, the inflatable seal

device 20 removed. The water in the inner container and in the transfer container is discharged, and the transfer container is removed from the inner container, whereupon the surface of the transfer container is decontaminated. After checking that there is no leak in the transshipment container sealing parts,

the transhipment container is subjected to a radiation measurement, in order to get permission to remove it from room 40 ^;

to the. \

In the manner described above, spent nuclear fuel can be removed from the transshipment container. It is understood that spent nuclear fuel in the ^{Umladebehälter:} can be entered in the same way. Since in _the.:. Fig components shown 4Δ to 41 j are basically the same as those shown in Figures 2 and 3, was supported by a detailed description of the respective components

apart and were the same components with the same reference! mark. :

As described above, the invention provides a method of handling a transfer container in which a Double container is used from an inner and an outer container, and after handling the transfer container in the V / ater only the inner container, which contains the transfer container; holds, is withdrawn from the outer container. The outer container, that comes into contact with the contaminated water always remains in the water. According to the invention, therefore, the Contamination of the air and the floor of the work area will be noticeably reduced and it will be possible to prevent that drops of water that fall from the closure head of the transfer container and with the contaminated water have been in contact with the surfaces of the heat radiation fins of the ur.iladecontainer fall. It can therefore reduce the surface area that must be decontaminated.

In addition, since the Ural loading container is placed outside the water basin in the inner container, this' work process can be carried out safely and reliably, and since the transfer container is lifted out of the water basin while it is in the inner container, the ^: water can easily run off the inner container and the Working hours, can be shortened. ι

As far as the apparatus aspect is concerned, various devices are used according to the invention to ensure that the invention is prior art in connection with the improvement of safety, work efficiency etc. is superior.

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Claims (21)

Dr. F. Zumstein Sr. - Dr. E. Assmann Dipl.-Ing. F. Klingseisen - Dr. F. Zumstein jun. PATENT LAWYERS APPROVED REPRESENTATIVES AT THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE REPRESENTATIVES BEFORE THE EUROPEAN PATENT OFFICE 3 / Li Ref .: 340-TY Doryokuru Kakunenryo Kaihatsu Jigyodan, Tokyo, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, Osaka, Japan Method and double-sided container for handling a transfer container PATENT CLAIMS Method for handling an Ural loading container, characterized in that ' a) the transfer container (1O) into a! open inner container (12) is arranged outside a Viasser basin, wherein the locking head part (11) of the transfer container exposed, b) the space between the outer wall of the transfer container and the inner container is hermetically sealed, c) the inner container is arranged in an open outer container (15) which is located in the flat part (13) of the water basin, so that the upper open edge of the Außenboliäl iers (15) over the surface (1A) dos V / ^ scei bc -chorv · hiroue vorstoht, v; obsi der Vorschlusskopitc-il (11) v: ei γ or free and the space between the outer container-sr and the - 2 - Inner container is hermetically sealed, d) the double ^{container formed in this way, which:} consists of the outer container (15) and the inner container (12) and contains the transfer container (10), is conveyed to a deep part (16) of the water basin , where the double container, which contains the transfer container, is completely immersed under the water surface (14) of the water basin 'and the closure head part (11) of the transfer container , in the deep part of the Viasser basin open and closed: ! is closed to a radioactive object: take them out of the transshipment container or bring them into the transshipment container, e) the double container, which contains the transfer container, 'conveyed to the shallow part (13) of the water basin will where the top open edge of the outer container (15) over the water surface (14) of the water pelvis protrudes, and j f) the inner container (12) containing the Umladebehälter is conveyed to the outside of the water basin, while the outer container (15) in the ^flat: (13) remains of the water basin and the Umladebehälter (10) from the inner container (12) off ! is removed from the water basin. ; 2. The method according to claim 1,; characterized in that the space between the outer wall of the transfer container (10) and the inner container (12) is sealed in that an inflatable Seal (20) is used. 3. The method according to claim 2, thereby gokennzeichnov. that the inflatable seal (20) an annular belt,:. Iiplatte (21) and an annular inflatable tube (22), the longitudinal a peripheral edge of the annular rubber plate (21) j is formed, wherein the inflatable tube (22)! between two spaced hose holding plates (23a, 23b) around the upper peripheral surface of the \ Umladebehälters (10) are fitted, and that the sealing! ten of the space between the transshipment container and ' the inner container takes place in that the inflatable \ tube (22) is inflated and the annular ¹ Rubber plate (21) in tight contact with the In- i nen container (12) is brought. j 4. The method according to claim 3, I. characterized in that the two hose holding | are plates (23a, 23b) are formed by two arranged at the top of the ribs a plurality of heat radiating fins (25) The total for the Umladebehälter (10) \ fits. j 5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the inflatable tube
(22) inflating the inflatable tube under pressure with water. j j 6. The method according to claim 5,! j characterized in that the water pressure inside j of the inflatable tube (22) is applied in that ; the inflatable tube with a first drop tank (30), j, which is arranged in a higher position, has a j pipe (32) is connected.
i ! 7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, ; characterized in that water in the Zv.'xschenraj. / i between the Uinlodübohiiltor (10) and the inner container (12) is poured. 8. The method according to claim 7, ι characterized in that water in the space between the transfer container (10) and the inner container (12) is poured from a second drop tank (33) which is arranged at a higher point. 9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the water pressure inside the space between the transfer container (10) and the inner container (12) rests in that the intermediate space via a pipe (3 ^ 0 with the second Falling tank (33) is connected. 10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a flexible seal (18): is arranged between connecting flanges (I2a, 15a) ^; the one on the inner and outer container (12, 15)! forms are, and that the sealing of the space between the inner container (12) and the outer container; (15) takes place in that the flexible seal (18) '■ by the load of the transfer container (10) and the inner _; container (12) is compressed. ■ 11. The method according to claim 10, I characterized in that water is poured into the space 'between the inner container (12) and the outer container ' (15). i 12. The method according to claim 10, marked by the fact that a pressurized Fluid the space between the inner container (12) and is delivered to the outer container (15) when the inner container is removed from the outer container will. 13. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, j characterized in that the decontamination of the ι closure head part (11) of the reloading container (10) is carried out after the radioactive object from: taken out of the transshipment container or in the Umladebe-; container is introduced. j 14. The method according to claim 13, j characterized in that the decontamination is carried out by _t washing with water. j 15. Double container for handling a transfer container, j characterized by an open cylindrical inner container (12) which has a foot at its "lower part." and has an outwardly projecting connecting flange (12a) on the upper part and a urinal loading container on the inside (10) can accommodate an open cylindri-; see the outer container (15) at its lower part Foot and on its upper part an outwardly projecting connecting flange (i5a) and can accommodate the inner container (12) in its interior, an inflatable seal (20) around the upper offg-: NEN edge of the inner container (12) is fitted and the gap between the transfer container and the inner ' container can hermetically seal if they are between the upper part of the transfer container and the Inner container is arranged and inflated, and an annular flexible seal (18) between the connecting flange (12a) of the inner container (12) and the connecting flange (15a) of the outer container (15) is arranged and the space between de ;: Inner container and the outer container hermetically sealed can close, wonn dor innonVirhaltor ir .; Outer boilers is arranged. 16. Double container according to claim 15; characterized in that the inflatable seal ! Is formed, the inflatable hose ^between:: (20) comprises a ring-shaped rubber plate (21) and an annular inflatable tube (22) along excluded a peripheral edge of the annular rubber plate two tube support plates (23a, 23b) can be held, the are spaced from each other and arranged around the upper circumferential surface of the Umladebehälters (10) around, and wherein the lower peripheral edge of the rubber plate fixed to the upper outer peripheral surface of the interior ^use: hälters (12) can be brought by using a clamping band (24) in engagement . 17. Double container according to claim 16, characterized in that both the inflatable tube (22) and the annular rubber sheet (21) are provided with an orifice (27, 29) for supplying a pressurized fluid. 18. Double container according to claim 15, characterized in that the outer container (15) is provided with a weight to prevent the outer container from floating to prevent. 19. Double container according to claim 15, characterized in that the inner container (12) consists of stainless steel with a smooth outer surface. 20. double-boiler according to claim 15, characterized in that the annular seal (18) onto the upper outer surface of the connecting flange (il> a) the, Aüßonbehültera (15) is fitted. - ι - 21. Double container according to claim 15, characterized in that the outer container (15) with an orifice for supplying pressurized fluid and thereby withdrawing the inner container (12) from the outer container to facilitate.