Patent Number: 050842340
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to an absorption casing for a source of radioactive radiation, particularly for a nuclear reactor, having a first layer for the absorption of gamma radiation, a second layer for the absorption of neutron radiation and a third layer for the absorption of alpha and beta radiation. In nuclear reactors, a plurality of safety precautions are provided for preventing escape of direct radioactive radiation and radioactive fission products. For instance, the pressure vessel of the reactor in a nuclear power plant, being a steel containment, reduces the gamma radiation. The pressure vessel of the reactor is surrounded by a shield of steel-reinforced concrete, having a thickness of about two meters, which effects additional screening against the remaining gamma radiation and neutron radiation. The concrete safety container, having a sealing skin, and the reactor building present further barriers against the escape of radioactive radiation. Thus, for shielding the reactor, a plurality of comparatively thick walls are required. In their totality, all these barriers provide that, outside of the reactor, escape of direct radiation is possible only to an allowable extent. If one of these barriers fails due to leakage, there is no secure protection anymore against the issuing of radioactive radiation. Reliable protection against the gaseous radioactive fission products generated during nuclear reaction does not exist. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the invention to provide an absorption casing for a source of radioactive radiation which effects reliable protection against intrusion or escape of radioactive fission products. According to the invention, the object is solved in that a fourth layer of gas-impermeable material is provided, enclosing the source of radioactive radiation from all sides, for retaining the gaseous fission products. According to the invention, the source of radioactive radiation is completely surrounded by a layer of gas-impermeable material. This fourth layer effects complete enclosure of the radioactive radiation source. Therefore, the radioactive fission products cannot escape and remain within the space enclosed by the fourth layer. Accordingly, the radioactive fission products cannot intrude into the remaining layers for absorption of the different types of radiation and contaminate these layers. By shielding the radioactive radiation source with respect to the radioactive fission products, these gaseous substances, being generated in a nuclear reaction, can be evacuated on a controlled basis without contaminating other protecting barriers. Preferably, the fourth layer consists of a zirconium alloy. The layer of zirconium alloy, even if having a small thickness only, reliably shields the environment of the radioactive radiation source against gaseous fission products. In principle, the succession of the individual layers is optional; however, the fourth layer of gas-impermeable material should be closest to the source of radiation so as to protect the subsequent layers against penetration by radioactive fission products. The first layer for absorbing gamma radiation preferably consists of lead, the second layer for absorbing neutron radiation consists of boron, hafnium, cadmium or beryllium, and the third layer for absorbing alpha and beta radiation consists of aluminium. For effectively absorbing the radioactive radiation and for shielding off the gaseous radioactive fission products, respectively, the absorption casing need only have a comparatively small thickness because the individual layers, even when of comparatively small thickness, already accomplish effective absorption of radiation and shielding against the radioactive substances. By the series of layers of the invention, the radioactive rays (alpha, beta, gamma and neutron radiation) are effectively absorbed. The thickness of the individual layers substantially depends on the intensity of the radiation. The lead layer should be about three times as thick as each other layer. By the inventive casing for the absorption of radiation and fission products, the environment of plants having nuclear reactors is reliably protected. Therefore, the invention decisively contributes to the protection of the environment against radioactive contamination. For protection against risks in nuclear power plants having light-water reactors, the above-mentioned four layers are sufficient. In "fast breeders" or "fast breeding reactors", in which plutonium is generated during nuclear fission, it is suitable to provide a fifth layer consisting of titanium. By this titanium layer, the radioactive radiation issuing from the plutonium is absorbed in a particularly effective manner. Preferably, all of the layers are arranged at distances to each other to allow different expansion of the individual layers upon rise of temperature. Spacers can be arranged between the individual layers; preferably, between each pair of neigboring layers, there is arranged a layer of an elastic material to compensate the difference in expansion of neigboring layers. The absorption casing of the invention can be used for linings in nuclear power plants, transport containers for radioactive materials, intermediate and final waste disposal sites for radioactive waste, as well as for nuclear fuel processing and reprocessing plants. Further, the absorption casing can be used for enclosures of atomic satellite drive units and for linings of X-ray rooms and laboratories. Additionally, the absorption casing of the invention can find application in the protection of fall-out shelter rooms, production sites and military buildings against radioactive radiation and substances. For shielding the reactor of a nuclear power plant, an absorption casing according to the invention is preferably provided both on the inner side of the reactor building and on the inner side of the reactor safety container which is arranged within the reactor building. In both cases, the layer of zirconium alloy forms the layer closest to the reactor core. A further possibility for shielding the reactor consists in that the series of layers is integrated into the wall of the reactor building and the reactor safety container, the fourth layer (of zirconium alloy) being the innermost layer also in this case. By arranging the successive layers both at the reactor building and at the safety container or, respectively, on the walls of the reactor building and of the safety container, a double protection is given with respect to the reactor. Even in case of a maximum credible accident, involving the melting of the reactor core and--in the further course of the accident--of the concrete shell of the safety container, the absorption casing on the reactor building or in the wall thereof offers reliable protection against radioactive radiation and radioactive substances until destruction of the safety container as such. Also for anti-radiation shielding of shut-down nuclear power plants, the absorption casing of the invention is applicable. In this case, the absorption casing is preferably arranged around the entire reactor building. This can particularly be achieved in that the series of layers is attached to the reactor building from the outside, with the layer of zirconium alloy being arranged on the inner side of the absorption casing facing the reactor building. For anti-radiation shielding of final radioactive-waste disposal sites, the absorption casing is preferably arranged around the entire final disposal site. Also here, the layer of zirconium alloy is located on the inner side of the absorption casing. According to the respective intensity of the radioactive radiation to be shielded off, it can also suffice to close only the entrances to the final radioactive-waste disposal site by the absorption casing. Finally, the absorption casing of the invention is also suited for the protection of all kinds of installations against radioactive radiation and substances; in these cases, the layer of zirconium alloy is arranged on the outside of the absorption casing surrounding the installation to be protected. The absorption casing of the invention is adapted to provide anti-radiation shielding of shut-down nuclear power plants by "secured containment" of the nuclear power plant. In this variant of an anti-radiation shielding, all solid and insoluble active substances are permanently contained in situ by a tight safety enclosure. The monitoring of technical safety systems and safe access to the shut-down plant are guaranteed over the whole time span of the containment. Access to the premises is possible then as before, and safety checks, performed by measuring devices, and the like procedures are possible at all times. The radiation exposure resulting from the "securely contained" shut-down nuclear power plant is considerably decreased by the inventive absorption casing. As compared to other nuclear waste disposal measures, complete containment of the shut-down nuclear power plant by a safety enclosure provided with the absorption casing can be obtained at relatively low costs. An embodiment of the invention will be explained in greater detail hereunder with reference to the Figures, wherein