Abstract: The invention relates to a storage device (1) for the storing and/or transporting of nuclear fuel assemblies, including a plurality of adjacent housings each having a lateral wall and being able to receive a nuclear fuel assembly, the lateral walls being realized at least in part using stacking and intercrossing slotted structural assemblies (6a, 6b), each structural assembly including at least one plate (22) realized in a first material comprising aluminum. According to the invention, each structural assembly (6a, 6b) further includes a tubular cross-section element (20) inside of which is located said at least one plate (22), this tubular cross-section element (20) being realized in a second material selected from steels and titanium and alloys thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials (10), comprising a closed enclosure (8) and a system (12, 16) for securing said closed enclosure, said system comprising catalytic means (12) for recombining hydrogen and oxygen into water, placed in said closed enclosure. According to the invention, the system for securing said closed enclosure further comprises a device (16) for the controlled release of oxygen in said closed enclosure (8).

Abstract: An overall to long-term storage package intended to receive a case containing radioactive materials, the package comprising a lateral body delimiting a housing for receiving the case, the package body being closed at its top end and at its low end respectively by a removable head cover, and by a package base. According to the invention, the package base takes the form of a removable base cover, allowing insertion of the case via the low end of the body. The invention also relates to a process for transfer of such a case.

Abstract: A method for underwater packaging of radioactive materials includes creating a vacuum in a cavity of a cleaning device to automatically cause a portion of the cleaning device to move upward to actuate the cleaning device from an open position to a closed position; mounting the cleaning device inside a safe containment area of a transportation and/or storage device; placing the transportation and/or storage device in a pool after filling the safe containment area with water; loading a radioactive material into the safe containment area; closing the transportation and/or storage device using at least one cover; extracting the transportation and/or storage device from the pool; draining the water inside the safe containment area; and creating a pressure differential in the safe containment area to dry the safe containment area, wherein the pressure differential causes the cleaning device to automatically actuate from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: A storage space device for the transport and/or storage of nuclear materials, comprising a main structure defining at least one housing intended to contain the nuclear materials and includes a mobile heat conduction structure forming at least one portion of a side outer surface of the storage space device. The mobile structure has at least one mobile heat conduction component mounted on the main structure so as to be displaceable reversibly from a retracted position to a deployed position while moving away from the structure.

Abstract: Methods and devices for removing inflammable gases produced by radiolysis in a closed chamber containing radioactive matters comprising organic compounds and possibly water, or radioactive matters in the presence of organic compounds and possibly water. Inside the chamber there may be placed a catalyst of at least one reaction for oxidizing the inflammable gases by oxygen contained in the chamber atmosphere, supported by an inert solid support; a catalyst of at least the reaction for oxidizing CO to CO2; possibly an oxygen source; and possibly a hygroscopic microporous inert solid support. Also, chambers for radioactive matters containing such devices.

Abstract: Methods and devices for removing inflammable gases produced by radiolysis in a closed chamber containing radioactive matters comprising organic compounds and possibly water, or radioactive matters in the presence of organic compounds and possibly water. Inside the chamber there may be placed a catalyst of at least one reaction for oxidizing the inflammable gases by oxygen contained in the chamber atmosphere, supported by an inert solid support; a catalyst of at least the reaction for oxidizing CO to CO2; possibly an oxygen source; and possibly a hygroscopic microporous inert solid support. Also, chambers for radioactive matters containing such devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a cask (1) for a canister (62) containing radioactive material, comprising a canister extraction assembly (36) and designed so that it can bring the canister to an extraction position inside the cask housing (4) in which this canister is free of any contact with the inner surface (10). Also, one of two elements from among a carriage (38) and a support structure (40) of the assembly (36) is provided with a guide ramp (48) cooperating with a ramp follower (50) provided on the other of the two elements, the ramp being designed so that a relative translational movement between the carriage (38) and the structure (40), in the longitudinal direction of the cask, causes the changeover of the two elements (38, 40) from a drawn-together position to a drawn-apart position, or conversely.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monitoring device (20) of the position of an assembly containing nuclear fuel (4) in a housing of a storage basket (2). According to the invention, it comprises at least one mobile stop device (24, 26, 28) and a position indicator (30) suitable for being held at a stop by the mobile stop device in a first position indicating that the assembly occupies a first position, said mobile stop device being arranged so as to be able to be placed, by means of contact with the assembly located in a second position in its housing, in a position enabling it to release the position indicator devised to move automatically from the first position to a second position indicating that the assembly occupies the second position.

Abstract: Transport means surveillance system. It comprises: at least one camera (8) onboard the transport means (2); a means of detecting movement (31) in the surrounds of the transport means; an onboard server (14) that can hold images from the camera (8) and information from the means of detecting movement (31) close to the transport means; a telecommunication means (18, 20) to transmit data provided by the server (14) to a surveillance centre (46); a means (30) of detecting when the transport means stops, the server switching the camera on or off and activating or deactivating the means of detecting movement close to the transport means as a function of information that it receives from the means (30) of detecting when the transport means is stopped.

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage device (1) for the storing and/or transporting of nuclear fuel assemblies, including a plurality of adjacent housings each having a lateral wall and being able to receive a nuclear fuel assembly, the lateral walls being realised at least in part using stacking and intercrossing slotted structural assemblies (6a, 6b), each structural assembly including at least one plate (22) realised in a first material comprising aluminium. According to the invention, each structural assembly (6a, 6b) further includes a tubular cross-section element (20) inside of which is located said at least one plate (22), this tubular cross-section element (20) being realised in a second material selected from steels and titanium and alloys thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for cleaning and/or securing a safe containment defined in a device for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, which device includes active means capable of cleaning and/or securing said safe containment, and further comprising means forming a casing (2) with an opening (8) and defining a cavity (9) as well as means for closing (10) said opening, which device is designed so that said closure means are capable of being maintained in said closed position by a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of said cavity.