Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a coating for absorption of neutrons produced in nuclear reactions of radioactive material which can be applied in an economically feasible and simple manner, increases the effectivity of absorption, enables greater variability of base material used and variability of shape of said shielding elements and in particular the production of lighter shielding elements with at least the same absorption quality. The invention also relates to a method for producing a coating for absorption of neutrons produced in nuclear reactions of radioactive materials. At least one part of a shielding element consisting of base material is provided at its surface designed therefore with a layer made of an element with a high neutron capture section and a metallic element in a dispersion bath. Said metallic element can be deposited by electrolytic or autocatalytic means.

Abstract: A shielding container for the transport and storage of irradiated nuclear fuel elements has a cast-metal vessel provided with a radiation-shielding cover whose cylindrical flange is bolted to a shoulder of a seat in the mouth of this vessel and has a thickness of two to four times the thickness of a projection of this cover extending into the space of the vessel receiving the radioactive material. A further cover has a projection extending into the seat and a flange overlying and bolted to the vessel wall. The thickness of the latter flange is twice the thickness of the projection of the further cover and both covers define annular control compartments whereby the sealing effectiveness can be monitored.

Abstract: A radiation-shielding storage/transport container has a cast-iron vessel having an open end defining an end face, a steel ring engaging the end face and forming at least one annular seat, a weld unitarily bonding the ring to the end face, and a cover secured to the steel ring in the seat thereof. The cast-iron vessel is formed at its open end with an annular seat having a shoulder surface forming the end face. The weld is an aluminothermic weld that extends over the entire surface of the interface between the ring and the vessel. The ring is formed with two such seats and the cover includes an inner plug cover and an outer cover each in a respective one of the seats. The outer cover is of steel and a second peripheral weld connects the outer cover to the respective seat.

Abstract: A radiation-shielding storage/transport container has a cast-iron vessel having an open end defining an end face, a steel ring engaging the end face and forming at least one annular seat, a weld unitarily bonding the ring to the end face, and a cover secured to the steel ring in the seat thereof. The cast-iron vessel is formed at its open end with an annular seat having a shoulder surface forming the end face. The weld is an aluminothermic weld that extends over the entire surface of the interface between the ring and the vessel. The ring is formed with two such seats and the cover includes an inner plug cover and an outer cover each in a respective one of the seats. The outer cover is of steel and a second peripheral weld connects the outer cover to the respective seat.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for the treatment and storage of nuclear power plant wastes utilizes a jacket heating a cast iron storage container directly to vaporize liquid radioactive waste under suction applied to the container with interposition of a baffle preventing entrainment of droplets from the container.

Abstract: A device for pressing cylindrical containers holding nuclear facility waste materials into disk pellets includes an initial press and a main press. In the initial press, the container is deformed by an arrangement of movable dies and tension-relieving rams into a shape suitable to fit into a compaction chamber in the main press. After the container is collapsed by the dies and rams of the initial press, the initial press is opened and the collapsed container is deposited into the compaction chamber of the main press where it is compacted into a disk-like pellets and discharged from the compaction chamber.

Abstract: The apparatus for transferring at least one radioactive object from a first into a second container comprises a lifting tool with which the radioactive object is lifted from the first container and is lowered into the second container, a container-receiving member on which the first and second containers stand spaced from each other, a movable transfer slide provided with at least two container-cover cavities for receiving and securing first and second covers sealing respective containers and a transfer cover and the other container cover and a transfer receptacle in which the lifting tool is positionable which is combined with the movable transfer cover, is positionable over a hole provided in the movable transfer slide and is accessible from below. A method of operating this apparatus for transfer of a radioactive object is provided which does not require a special hot cell or room.

Abstract: Water-containing bibulous solids such as ion-exchange or filter matters from a nuclear electricity-generating power plant are introduced into a final storage container and heated therein under vacuum to dewater the solids and provide a high interstitial volume. The latter is substantially filled with radioactive salts by introducing flowable evaporator concentrate in one or more stages and for each stage heating the container under vacuum so as to drive off the concentrate water.

Abstract: Spherolitic cast iron or cast steel containers or nuclear steel elements are modified by replacement of the complex boron steel baskets with stainless steel or austenitic manganese steel lattices therefor and the lattices define vertical compartments in which the fuel rods removed from the elements are received in densest-packed relationship directly or via the intermediary of thin-walled metal sleeves.

Abstract: A storage and transport container for radioactive waste has an upwardly open vessel having a closed bottom, solid walls, and an open upper mouth. A lid is sealingly engaged over and completely blocks the mouth. This lid is formed with at least one vertically throughgoing passage having a lower end and an upper end. A rigid guide tube fixed to the lid extends down in the vessel from the lower passage end to a location immediately adjacent the bottom of the vessel. Thus the interior of the tube forms a downward continuation of the passage to the location. A flexible feed tube extends along the passage and the continuation thereof and has an upper end screwed to the lid at the upper passage end and a lower end at the location. Thus the vessel can be filled and emptied through this feed tube, which therefore can be an accessory that need not be left on an inactive container, thereby greatly reducing cost per container.

Abstract: Containers for the transportation and/or storage of radioactive wastes are filled by evacuating the containers and utilizing the vacuum thus generated to draw radioactive waste into the container. The radioactive waste is then dried in the container directly by continuing the vacuum and, if desired, heating the container with an electrical heater, the vapors thus produced being condensed before the withdrawn gas is filtered.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for the packaging of radioactive waste wherein a steel container is placed in a horizontal hydraulic press chamber with the open end of the container turned toward a hydraulic ram, radioactive waste is accumulated ahead of the open end of this container, the ram is advanced to displace the radioactive waste into the container and then to corrugate the container wall and compress the radioactive waste against a retractable wall and the wall is then retracted to permit the ram to force the package out of the chamber.

Abstract: A container for the storage and transportation of radioactive material comprising an elongated vessel adapted to receive the material and having a wall thickness and composition attenuating radioactive transmission therefrom, the vessel has an open end formed with an annular thickened portion defining a mouth communicating with the interior of the vessel; a radiation-shielding cover received in the mouth and having a plug-forming portion juxtaposed with a complimentary seat-forming portion of the vessel at the mouth, and a flange extending outwardly from the plug-forming portion, the vessel is provided with a wall bore communicating at one end with the interior of the vessel and terminating at its opposite end within the outline of the radiation-shielding cover, the radiation-shielding cover is provided with a connecting bore registering with the wall bore; an obturating element received in the connecting bore and adapted to block the wall bore; and a further cover secured directly to the vessel outwardly of

Abstract: A container has a massive metallic vessel whose interior is adapted to receive radioactive waste and whose mouth is formed with inner and outer spaced generally planar and annular vessel shoulders and formed therebetween with a nonplanar intermediate annular vessel surface. A massive metallic cover formed with a plug fits in the mouth and has respective inner and outer plug shoulders closely juxtaposed with the vessel shoulders and a nonplanar intermediate annular plug surface complementary to the intermediate vessel surface. An inner ring seal engages snugly between the inner shoulders. A pair of generally concentric and spaced outer ring seals engage snugly between the outer shoulders and forming an annular outer chamber therebetween. An intermediate ring seal engages snugly between the intermediate surfaces and forms therebetween and with the inner ring seal an annular inner chamber and therebetween and with the outer ring seals an intermediate chamber.

Abstract: A package for radioactive material which comprises a radiation-absorbing vessel having a plug-type inner cover sealingly engaging this vessel and an outer security cover overlying the massive plug-type cover and defining a clearance therewith in which gas can be monitored to detect failure of the seal, this safety cover being sealed to the vessel so that the latter chamber is sealed from the atmosphere. According to the invention, this chamber is sealed with gas at a superatmospheric pressure which is also above the pressure within the vessel and the pressure of the chamber is monitored, a drop in pressure signaling a breach either of the seal between the plug-type cover and the interior of the vessel or between the safety cover and the vessel.

Abstract: A safety container for the disposal of radioactive wastes has a plug-type cover received in a complementary seat and having cylindrical and tapered (frustoconical) fitting parts sealed against the seat by elastic seals in part. This cover is over-lain by a safety cover engaging a corresponding portion of the vessel via a metal-to-metal seal while a further control cover is provided above the latter with a metallic or elastomeric seal. The covers define two control spaces from which fluid can be tapped to ascertain the effectiveness of the respective seals.

Abstract: A container for the transport, storage and disposal of radioactive wastes or other materials, such as irradiated fuel elements of a nuclear reactor capable of neutron emission, which comprises a cast receptacle, e.g. of cast iron, a cover and, in passages spaced apart in the cast wall of the vessel, a neutron moderating or absorbing material. According to the invention, the passages are of circular cross section with a spacing at least equal to twice the diameter, and the total cross-sectional area of the passages in any plane transversely through the vessel corresponds to the cross section in the same plane of a continuous theoretical layer disposed along the periphery of a vessel of corresponding thickness and size or is greater than the area of the theoretical layer in this plane in so far as neutron absorption or moderation effect is concerned.

Abstract: A transport or storage canister for radioactive wastes has an upright one-piece cast iron or steel vessel with an upwardly open mouth adapted to receive a complementary, stepped plug-type cover which is overlain by a safety cover which peripherally overhangs the plug cover and is likewise recessed in the top of the body. Seals are provided between the several steps so that respective gaps or compartments are formed, the compartments communicating with a fitting in the body which enables monitoring or control units to be connected to the compartments to determine whether leakage may have occurred.

Abstract: A transport and storage vessel for radioactive materials, especially irradiated nuclear-reactor fuel elements, comprises a one-piece hollow body having lateral walls and a base formed unitarily with one another and open at an upper end which is provided with a removable cover. The walls of the body have an outer layer, an intermediate layer and an inner layer, the outer and intermediate layers being cast unitarily from a carbon-containing ferrous metal or a copper alloy while the intermediate layer consists of a cast matrix phase in which heavy metal particles having a melting point above 800.degree. C. are embedded to absorb radiation. The inner layer can be a lining of stainless steel which surrounds the chamber receiving the radioactive material.