Container for the interim and long-term storage of radioactive material

摘要

The invention is directed to a container for the interim and long-term storage 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. In order to produce the outer wall at low cost and with a minimal technical effort, the inner wall is made of a material selected from the group including nodular cast iron and gray cast iron and the outer wall is made of high-alloy austenitic cast iron containing nodular graphite, the latter being cast around the base structure. The opening of the vessel is closed with a sealing cover welded to the outer wall of the vessel. Methods of making the vessel of the container are also disclosed.