Abstract: Apparatus to screw heavy lids very sensitively on thick-walled receptacles n order to avoid damaging the threads includes a stationary member centered on the receptacle and of an axially movable platform which is guided such that torques can be transmitted and the common axis always remains the same. Resilient members of adjustable length transmit mass forces in vertical direction exactly on the stationary member and prevent additional forces from acting on the flanks of the threads.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a double-container unit for transporting and oring radioactive waste such as irradiated nuclear reactor materials. The double-container unit includes an outer shielding container and an inner storage container made of steel for the gas-tight inclusion of the radioactive materials to be stored. The outer shielding container provides the required shielding and mechanical security during handling and transport of the unit. In order to simplify the assembly and manipulation of such a double-container unit, an intermediate ring is seated in the loading opening of the shielding container and is joinable with this container. A shielding cover is attachable to the intermediate ring for closing the shielding container.

Abstract: A double container system for transporting and storing radioactive waste erials includes an inner storage container of steel for enclosing the radioactive material to be stored in a gas-tight manner and an outer shielding container which provides for the necessary shielding effect and mechanical security with regard to handling and transportation. A neutron moderator layer is disposed in an annular gap between the outer shielding container and the inner storage container. The neutron moderate layer is made of hydrogen-bearing material, preferably polyethylene. In order to provide a good shielding effect while at the same time providing very good conduction of heat from the inside to the outside, the moderator layer includes individual rings of polyethylene which are stacked one above the other. Arranged between each two mutually adjacent ones of the polyethylene rings is a ring of a heat-conducting metal material having an H-profile when viewed in radial section.

Abstract: In containers having latchable covers for closing the container vessel, the overs are rigidly connected to the vessel opening and this condition can be disadvantageous under various load conditions. To attain a flexible yet secure closure, the cover is provided with an annular groove formed in the peripheral edge thereof. The cover is thereby capable of yielding under stress. For tensioning the cover, a device can be fixed in a recess formed in the inner wall surface of the vessel. Upright supports project out from a plate and are in contact engagement with an end face of the cover remote from a shoulder formed in the inside wall surface of the vessel opening. A tensioning unit is subjected to pressure and then presses the cover together in the region of the annular groove. After the latches are inserted into a recess, the tensioning unit is relieved of stress. The latches are then wedged in by the resilient action of the cover to produce a simple and reliable connection.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for the long-term storage of radioactive materials such as irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements. The container is made of a material such as steel, cast steel or the like. The container includes a vessel having an opening at one end for receiving the radioactive material stored therein and a cover which is welded to the vessel for closing the same. In this container, the base material provides the mechanical strength and stability. To make the entire container resistant to corrosion, the vessel and cover are provided with respective weld platings at the partition interface of the container. The weld platings are made of cold-weldable, corrosion resistant material and are applied by the surface layer welding process. Corrosion protective layers are formed on the outer surfaces of the cover and vessel, respectively, and cover the outer surfaces up to the region of the weld platings. The corrosion protective layers are preferably made of graphite, ceramic or enamel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for storing radioactive materials hich includes a closing cover tightly secured to the outer layer of the container vessel by a continuous weld seam. The container includes an annular body which is attached to the outer layer of the vessel. The annular body has an inwardly directed flange overlapping the weld seam for protecting the latter against external blows which could occur, for example, during transport of the container. The container also includes two narrow slots formed in the annular body with U-shaped guides disposed therebeneath for receiving transport elements in engagement therewith. The annular ring therefore also serves as a transport ring for facilitating transport of the container. Since the container is held at the ring, tension forces are directed to the outer layer of the vessel and away from the weld seam.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for the interim and long-term stge of radioactive material such as irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements. The container includes a vessel and a cover. The vessel has a base and a wall extending upwardly from the base. The wall terminates in an upper end portion defining the opening of the vessel for receiving the radioactive material to be stored therein. A sealing cover tightly closes the vessel. The vessel is a double-walled body made up of two metal layers defining the outer and inner walls of the vessel. The inner wall constitutes a base structure made of an inexpensive and mechanically stable material; whereas, the outer wall is made of a corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for storing radioactive materials such as irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements and the like. The vessel of the container is configured to have a plurality of wall layers. The inner wall layer of the vessel consists of a mechanically stable inexpensive metal material which is surrounded by a corrosion-protective wall layer made of high-alloy austenitic castable material with nodular graphite. The receiving opening of the vessel is closed by a sealing cover welded to the corrosion-protective layer. The container serves not only as a container for the final storage, it also can be utilized for a long-term storage at a surface location as well as for transport of the irradiated fuel elements. The amount of material needed for the corrosion-protective layer is held as low as possible. This is achieved by casting a wall layer of cast iron containing nodular graphite in surrounding relationship to the corrosion-resistant wall layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for transporting and/or storing irradiated nuclear fuel elements. The container includes a holding vessel made of cast iron containing nodular graphite and having an opening at one of its ends for receiving the materials to be stored therein and a cover for sealing the opening so as to be gas-tight with respect to the ambient. In order to weld a cover to the vessel without the necessity of conducting a follow-up heat treatment operation, an end ring made of cold-weldable material is mounted on the vessel at its opening. The end ring includes a connecting extension which is fused with the vessel when the latter is made by casting. After the vessel is filled, a cover made of a material having a structure similar to that of the end ring can be welded to the latter. In this way, a subsequent heat treatment of the vessel which would otherwise be necessary is avoided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a container for the long-term storage of radctive materials such as irradiated nuclear fuel elements. The container includes a vessel-shaped base body made of a material selected from the group including cast iron and cast steel. The base body has an outer surface and an opening through which the radioactive materials to be stored therein are passed. A plurality of ribs made of corrosion-resistant material are formed on the outer surface of the base-body to partition this surface into a plurality of surface segments. A protective layer covers each of the surface segments to protect the same against corrosion. A cover is adapted for sealing the opening of the vessel-shaped base body. The ribs and their arrangement on the surface of the base body of the vessel make it easier to apply the corrosion protective layer and make the layer less sensitive to differential expansion stresses of the contiguous materials.