Patent Number: 056299630
Section: description

In said FIGS. 1 and 2: 11 shows the storage tank, PA1 12 shows the radioactive fissile material solution stored in the intermediate spaces, PA1 13 shows the tubes containing the neutron absorbing material, PA1 13' shows the vertical metal walls of said tubes, PA1 14 shows said neutron absorbing material PA1 30 shows said schematized homogenizing means PA1 31 shows said cooling means. The tubes 13 are located in compartments distributed throughout the radioactive solution 12. Said compartments are delimited by metal walls 12'. 15 indicates the level of the liquid inside the tank 11. In the preferred variant illustrated, the tubes of neutron absorbing material 13 are located in compartments, thereby defining volumes 20 for circulation by the convection of ambient air. Said circulation is represented diagrammatically by means of arrows in FIG. 1. Said tubes are located on studs 21. The air enters through the orifices 22 created at the base of the tank, said tank being raised. Finally, 23 shows a perforated cover. Said cover serves in particular to stabilize the tubes 13 of neutron absorbing material 14. The value of the tanks of the invention is demonstrated by the data given in the Table below. An annular tank according to the prior art and a tank with an array of tubes according to the present invention have been dimensioned for given volumes of radioactive solution to be stored, and the reductions in required floor space have been calculated. ______________________________________ Diameter of required floor space (reduction) Volume of radio- Array of tubes active solution INVENTION to be stored Annular tank Reduction (m.sup.3) (m) (m) in space ______________________________________ 0.5 2.7 1.9 32% 1 3.3 2.33 50% 2 4.9 2.7 69% 4 6 3 75% ______________________________________