Patent Number: 045089698
Section: summary

The invention relates to a container for storing radioactive materials such as burned-out reactor fuel elements. THE PRIOR ART Containers having a cylindrical shape and which hold several fuel elements and can be closed with a cover have been previously disclosed. The loaded containers are put individually or several collectively into boreholes (vertical, horizontal or slanting boreholes) which are provided in the final storage place for instance, a salt mine. To facilitate transporting and handling the containers, they must be limited in size and weight. Special problems result during the production, transporting and final storing of such containers regarding corrosion, shielding against gamma radiation and neutron radiation, sealing, and strength of the connection between the container and the container cover, as well as regarding the reusability of the container and parts thereof. In order to prevent corrosion it has been proposed, depending on environment conditions, to fabricate the container from carbon-steel, high-grade steel or spheroidal graphite iron (GGG). For shielding against gamma radiation it has been known to use lead or other materials, which shield against rays and have a low melting point. For shielding against neutron radiation, hydrocarbons, for instance, polyethylene, have been used. THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a container of the type described having an absolutely tight, firm and secure connection between the container and the container cover. According to the invention this object is achieved by casting the cover from metal around connector elements projecting from the outer edge of the container wall surrounding the open end. The outer end of said elements are enlarged so that the connection to the cast cover is gastight and mechanically secure. The construction of the invention makes possible the casting of the cover after the loading of the container whereby an intimate connection on the sealing surfaces between cover and container is achieved so that perfect shielding also is obtained in the area of the sealing surface. The strength of the connection is sufficient to enable lifting the container by the cover.