TRANSPORT AND STORAGE FLASK

Abstract: A transport and storage flask for radioactive material comprising a hollow body (1) having lifting trunnions (6) and external neutron shielding (5) about the body except in the regions of the trunnions (6). To compensate for lack of shielding at the trunnions, blind bores (7) in the body containing further neutron shielding material extend beneath the trunnions.

Description: The present invention concerns a flask for the transport and storage of radioactive material. One form of flask disclosed in GB-A-2096046 comprises a hollow cylindrical body having lifting trunnions adjacent its ends and provided with a jacket of neutron absorbing material. It is not practicable to apply the neutron absorbing material about the flask body in the region of the lifting trunnions, and the aim of the invention is to provide alternative means of neutron shielding in the region of the lifting trunnions. According to the present invention, a flask for the transport and storage of radioactive material comprising a hollow body have lifting trunnions, and external neutron shielding about the body except in the regions of the trunnions, is characterised by the body comprising forged steel, the external neutron shielding being adjacent to the body, a shell defining circumferential external cooling fins about the body and which fins project beyond the external neutron shielding material, and internal neutron shielding disposed in bores in the body in the region of the trunnions arranged so as to compensate for lack of external shielding at the trunnions, the bores being at a spacing between adjacent bores of less than twice the diameter of an individual bore. The bores may be in staggered rows in the body, and the internal neutron shielding in the bores may comprise silicone rubber and a boron containing compound. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings; in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a flask, and Figure 2 is a section, not to scale, on A-A in Figure 1. A flask for the transport and storage of radioactive material comprises a cylindrical hollow body having a side wall 1, end wall 2 and a lid 3. The side wall 1 carries cooling fins 4 which form a shell or casing about the wall 2 to enclose a neutron absorbing shielding material 5. Lifting trunnions 6 are provided on the side wall adjacent each end thereof. The neutron shielding material 5 extends about the trunnions but in the immediate vicinity of each trunnion the exterior of the side wall is bare to permit use of the trunnions. Consequently no external neutron shielding is provided in the immediate vicinity of each trunnion. To compensate for this lack of external shielding the side wall 1 is formed with blind bores 7 at each end thereof and which extend beneath the trunnions. The bores 7 contain neutron shielding material and are of sufficient length to extend beneath the external shielding in the region of each trunnion. Conveniently the bores 7 are formed in two staggered rows as seen in Figure 2. A convenient neutron shielding material is silicon rubber and a boron containing compound. A preferred flask is of forged-steel construction having enhanced impact strength compared to flasks formed from cast metal. As a consequence the bores 7 can be close together to thereby provide efficient neutron capture in the wall of the flask in the regions of the trunnions. Preferably the spacing between adjacent bores in the ends of the side wall 1 is less than twice the diameter of an individual bore.

Claims: A flask for the transport and storage of radioactive material and comprising a hollow body having lifting trunnions (6), and external neutron shielding (5) about the body except in the regions of the trunnions (6), characterised by the body comprising forged steel, the external neutron shielding (5) being adjacent to the body, a shell defining circumferential external cooling fins (4) about the body and which fins (4) project beyond the external neutron shielding material (5), and internal neutron shielding disposed in bores (7) in the body in the region of the trunnions (6) arranged so as to compensate for lack of external shielding (5) at the trunnions (6), the bores (7) being at a spacing between adjacent bores of less than twice the diameter of an individual bore. A flask as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the bores (7) are in staggered rows in the body. A flask as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the internal neutron shielding in the bores (7) comprises silicone rubber and a boron containing compound.

Inventors: CORY, ANTHONY RODERICK, EMMISON JOHN
Applicants: BRITISH NUCLEAR FUELS PLC
Application year: 1988
Main classification: G21F5
IPC codes: G21F5