Containers for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials, equipped with radiation protection devices to reduce the risk of leakage of radioactive materials

Abstract

To provide a container (1) for transporting and / or storing a radioactive material (3), which comprises a cavity (12) for storing the radioactive material, and a radioactive protection device (14) composed of a radioactive protection element (16) arranged in an annular space (18).SOLUTION: According to the present invention, in relation to at least two contiguous radiation protection elements (16) from a longitudinal direction (8) and a circumferential direction (28) along a predetermined direction of an annular space, provided is a locking member (32) designed to limit / prevent the relative distance of the two radiation protection elements (16) in a predetermined direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of containers for transporting and / or storing radioactive materials, such as nuclear fuel assemblies and radioactive waste.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a container provided with a radiation protection device formed by a plurality of separate elements, such as radiation protection elements made from cast resin. [Background technology]

[0003] It is known in the art to provide a container with a radiation protection device disposed around a cavity for containing radioactive material, the device being required to provide gamma protection and / or neutron absorption in order to meet regulatory radiation standards around the container even when the container is loaded with radioactive material.

[0004] One solution to this purpose is to insert a radiation protection element into an annular space centered on the central longitudinal axis of the vessel. The radiation protection element is usually in the form of a block that can be inserted into the annular space by means of a cold gap. This cold gap allows for the thermal expansion of the radiation protection material, thereby limiting the thermomechanical stresses of the block acting on the part of the vessel that defines the annular space.

[0005] During transport operations carried out using this type of container, the radiation protection elements may move and move relative to each other in the annular space. The cumulative movements between these elements may locally result in gaps between two adjacent elements with unacceptable values ​​for radiation leakage.

[0006] As a result, there is a need to optimize existing vessel designs to remedy the above-mentioned shortcomings. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] To meet these needs, the present invention relates to a container for transporting and / or storing radioactive material, the container comprising a cavity for accommodating the radioactive material, and a radiation protection device disposed around the accommodating cavity within an annular space centered on a central longitudinal axis of the container, the radiation protection device comprising a radiation protection element disposed in the annular space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In the present invention, a locking member is provided in the annular space, which is configured to limit / prevent separation of the two radiation protection elements relative to each other in the predetermined direction, in relation to at least two adjacent radiation protection elements in the predetermined direction of the annular space selected from the longitudinal direction and circumferential direction of the annular space, and the locking member cooperates with or is integrated with a first of the two radiation protection elements, and cooperates with a recess formed in a second of the two radiation protection elements.

[0009] Advantageously, the present invention limits the spacing between the radiation protection elements in the annular space of the container, thereby significantly reducing the risk of radiation leaking through gaps between the radiation protection elements.

[0010] Furthermore, the present invention includes at least one of the following optional features, taken alone or in combination:

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member is integral with the first radiation protection element (16).

[0012] Preferably, the locking member is an elongated member, preferably having a truncated circular, square, or trapezoidal cross section, although other shapes may of course be selected without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0013] Preferably, the locking member is an elongated member having a truncated circular, square or trapezoidal cross section.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking member is a separate part from the first and second radiation protection elements, and the locking member cooperates with a recess formed in the first radiation protection element.

[0015] Preferably, the locking member is smaller than the first and second radiation protection elements and is preferably made from a different material.

[0016] Preferably, the locking member is a pin, a key, or a clip.

[0017] Preferably, the locking member extends only along a portion of the radial thickness of the annular space.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first radiation protection element and the second radiation protection element are immediately adjacent in a given direction in a single annular row of radiation protection elements.

[0019] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first radiation protection element and the second radiation protection element respectively belong to two concentric annular rows of radiation protection elements, and the first radiation protection element and the second radiation protection element are offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction while partially overlapping in the radial direction of the annular space.

[0020] Preferably, the locking member is arranged at the height of the area where the first radiation protection element and the second radiation protection element overlap in the radial direction.

[0021] Preferably, the annular space is defined by the inner ferrule and the outer casing. In this regard, it should be noted that the inner ferrule may form all or part of the lateral body of the container, or that the inner ferrule is provided in addition to the lateral container body which forms the boundary of the cavity for containing the radioactive material.

[0022] Preferably, the annular space is free of any heat conductors connecting the inner ferrule to the outer casing.

[0023] Preferably, the radiation protection element is a neutron protection element, preferably a cast resin block.

[0024] Preferably, at least one radioactive material protection element, preferably several radioactive material protection elements or each radioactive material protection element of the radioactive material protection device comprises two locking members arranged on either side of the radioactive material protection element in a predetermined direction and configured to limit / prevent the two radioactive material protection elements from moving apart from each other. Such a configuration makes it possible to limit the risk of gaps accumulating between different radioactive material protection elements, and is therefore applicable both to configurations with a single annular row of radioactive material and to configurations with two annular rows.

[0025] Further advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following non-limiting detailed description of the invention.

[0026] For the purpose of describing the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a vessel for transporting and / or storing radioactive material in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a radiation protection element utilized in the container depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. [Figure 4] 10 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of a container in a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 5 is a view similar to the longitudinal section of FIG. 4 of an alternative container; [Figure 6] 5 is a view similar to the longitudinal section of FIG. 4 of a container in a further preferred embodiment of the invention; [Figure 7] 2 is a schematic diagram of a further preferred embodiment of a radiation protection device comprising a container; [Figure 8] 3 is a view similar to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 of a container in a further preferred embodiment of the invention, showing that the radiation protection device has two concentric annular rows of radiation protection elements; [Figure 9] 10A-10C are schematic diagrams showing different configurations of locking members with radiation protection devices. [Figure 10] 1 is a partially exploded view of a further preferred embodiment of a radiation protection device having two concentric annular rows of radiation protection elements; [Figure 11] 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 of a container representing a further preferred embodiment form of the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Firstly, Figure 1 shows a vessel 1 for transporting and / or storing radioactive material 3 (only partially and diagrammatically represented in Figure 1), such as for example nuclear fuel assemblies or radioactive waste.

[0029] The container 1 is shown in a vertical storage position with the central longitudinal axis 2 of the container 1 oriented vertically. The container 1 rests on the container base 4 facing the removable cover 6 and along a height 8 direction that is parallel to the central longitudinal axis 2. The height 8 direction therefore corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the container.

[0030] The container 1 includes a side body 10 between a container base 4 and a cover 6, which extends about a longitudinal central axis 2 and defines a cavity 12 therein for containing radioactive material 3. The cavity 12 forms a containment housing adapted to receive the radioactive material, which is arranged, for example, in a storage tray disposed inside the containment housing. Alternatively, the containment housing is entirely formed by a case, also called a "canister," disposed inside the cavity 12. The axial top of the containment housing is closed by the cover 6, and the axial bottom of the containment housing is closed by the container base 4, so that the containment container is integrated with the container side body 10. In fact, the container base 4, the cover 6, and the side body 10 form the container body, which is intended to maintain the containment housing's airtightness and to ensure the container's mechanical strength, especially in the event of a drop.

[0031] The vessel 1 also includes a radiation protection device around its periphery, in this embodiment a neutron protection device 14. The neutron protection device is formed by several neutron protection elements 16, each extending along the height direction 8 over the entire or partial length of the vessel side body 10. Alternatively, the neutron protection device 14 can be formed using protection blocks 16 stacked along the height direction 8. Each radiation protection element 16 is preferably in the form of a prefabricated block made of casting resin. Such casting resin may consist of boron or any other neutron absorbing element. The term "neutron absorbing element" means an element having an effective cross section for thermal neutrons greater than 100 barns.

[0032] In the following, the neutron protection element 16 will be referred to as "protection block 16" or "protection block 16". The latter is arranged in an annular space 18 centered on the central longitudinal axis 2 and is formed by an inner ferrule 20 and an outer casing 22. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the inner ferrule 20 is an additional component around the side body 10 of the vessel, although alternatively the inner boundary of the annular space 18 is realized directly by the outer surface of the side body 10. The outer casing 22 partially forms the periphery of the vessel 1.

[0033] The vessel base 4, cover 6, and side body 10 of the vessel body are made of metal, e.g., steel or cast iron. The inner ferrule 20 and outer casing 22 are also made of metal, e.g., steel. The annular space 18, also called the inter-ferrule space, preferably does not include any heat conductors in addition to the protective blocks 16. This particular case corresponds to a vessel for transporting radioactive materials with low or no heat output. The term "thermal conductor" refers to a conductor traditionally used inside the vessel, generally alternating with neutron protective blocks and connecting the inner ferrule 20 to the outer casing 22. Nevertheless, the thermal conductor may have the shape of an annular disk. The protective blocks 16 are alternately arranged with the thermally conductive disks in the height direction 8. Figures 2 and 3 show the shape of the continuous protective blocks 16 along the circumferential direction 28 of the annular space 18 relative to the longitudinal central axis 2. In such a preferred embodiment, all of the guard blocks 16 form a single annular array of blocks centered about the longitudinal central axis 2, and the annular array of blocks has a thickness slightly less than the overall thickness "E1" of the annular space 18 along the radial direction 30 of the annular space 18.

[0034] Here, each of the guard blocks 16 forming the annular row is preferably identical, i.e., has the same shape and dimensions. Generally, each guard block 16 is integrated by two substantially parallelepiped parts 16a, 16b offset relative to each other along the circumferential direction 28 and the radial direction 30, respectively. In fact, the first part 16a forms the radially outer part of the guard block 16, which is connected to and offset in the circumferential direction by the second part 16b forming the radially inner part of the same block.

[0035] Since the protective blocks 16 are continuous along the circumferential direction 28, the first portion 16a of the first protective block at least partially covers in the radial direction the second portion 16b of the second protective block 16 that is immediately adjacent to it in the circumferential direction 28, and similarly, the second portion 16b of the first protective block is at least partially covered in the radial direction by the first portion 16a of the third protective block 16 that is immediately adjacent to it in the circumferential direction 28, but is positioned opposite the second portion.

[0036] One of the technical features of the present invention is the use of means for limiting / preventing circumferential separation between adjacent protection blocks 16. As a result, accumulation of such separation can be avoided, and therefore unacceptable levels of neutrons can be prevented from leaking between two consecutive protection blocks 16. In order to prevent neutron leakage, some of the protection blocks 16 constituting a single annular row, and preferably all or almost all of the protection blocks 16, are preferably formed with two locking members 32 arranged on either side of the block in the circumferential direction 28, the two locking members 32 intended to limit / prevent the circumferential separation of each of the two protection blocks 16 relative to each other.

[0037] As will be understood from the entire detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that in all preferred embodiments the radially outer boundary of the annular space 18 of the container is formed by an outer casing 22 centered on the longitudinal central axis 2, and that the radiation protection element 16 and the locking member 32 are arranged in the annular space 18.

[0038] Since each of the arrangements between the locking member 32 and the two guard blocks 16 limits / prevents separation to the same extent, only one arrangement will be detailed below.

[0039] In such a preferred embodiment, each locking member 32 disposed in the annular space 18 is integral with the first portion 16a of the associated first protective block 16. Alternatively, each locking member 32 disposed in the annular space 18 is integral with the second portion 16b of the associated first protective block 16. This is within the scope of the present invention.

[0040] When the locking element 32 is integrated into the first part 16a of the first protection block 16, the locking element 32 is elongated along the longitudinal direction 8, i.e. in the form of a radially inward projection extending locally perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction 28. The elongated projection 32 therefore preferably extends continuously over the entire or only part of the length of the associated first protection block 16. In the cross-sectional view shown in Figure 2, the projection 32 has a truncated circular shape, for example semicircular, but may also have any other shape, for example square, rectangular, trapezoidal, etc.

[0041] The protrusions 32 are received in complementary recesses 34 that open radially outward and are located in a second portion 16b of the second guard block 16 that is immediately adjacent to the first guard block along the circumferential direction 28. The cooperation of the protrusions 32 and the recesses 34 ensures that the first guard block and the second guard block 16 do not separate from each other along the circumferential direction 28, or can only separate by a limited amount due to the circumferential gap between the protrusions 32 and the recesses 34.

[0042] Finally, it should be noted that even when different protective blocks 16 are inserted into the annular space 18, the protrusions 32 and recesses 34 of the different protective blocks 16 cooperate with each other, as each protrusion 32 can slide relative to each other in the associated valley-shaped recess 34.

[0043] Furthermore, the preferred embodiment described above is transposable when a series of protective blocks 16 are arranged along the longitudinal direction 8 in the annular space 18. Such a case is illustrated in Figure 4, where the locking members 32 are still in the form of radial protrusions, but extend elongately along the circumferential direction 28, as do the recesses 34 into which the protrusions 32 are inserted.

[0044] For reference, during the manufacture of the container, the locking members 32 of the protective blocks 16 are inserted into the recesses 34 of the two protective blocks 16 that are directly adjacent in the longitudinal direction 8 before the corresponding portions of these two protective blocks 16 are inserted into the annular space 18 in the longitudinal direction.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an alternative to the solution proposed in Figure 4. In Figure 5, the locking element 32 forms a longitudinal end of the first part 16a of the protection block 16 and projects radially inwards. Furthermore, a recess 34 in the protection block 16 is formed between the junction of the two parts 16a, 16b of the protection block 16 and a further protrusion 16' on the second part 16b that projects radially outwards and forms the opposite longitudinal end of said protection block 16.

[0046] Again, with respect to a single row of protective elements 16, the protective blocks 16 can be held together by locking members that are not integral with the protective blocks. The locking members are separate from the protective blocks and are adapted to cooperate with the protective blocks. A preferred embodiment in this regard is shown in FIG. 6. The protective blocks 16 have the same general shape in their two parts 16a, 16b. The locking members 32 are in the form of clips or similar elements, and each locking member 32 connects two immediately adjacent protective blocks 16 in the longitudinal direction 8, thereby limiting / preventing their relative separation along the longitudinal direction 8 in the annular space 18.

[0047] Thus, each clip 32 has two tabs that are received in two recesses 34, respectively, of the first and second protective blocks 16 connected by the clip 32. The central body of each clip 32 extends along the circumferential direction 28, and the tabs of each clip 32, located at the ends of the central body, protrude radially to be received in the corresponding recesses 34 of the protective blocks 16.

[0048] 6, the clips 32 are located at the height of the longitudinal joints between the protective blocks 16 and are arranged on the outer periphery of the annular row of the protective blocks between the protective blocks and the outer casing 22. Alternatively, the clips 32 are arranged on the inner periphery of the annular row between the protective blocks and the inner ferrule 20.

[0049] Such clip systems may also be used in a similar manner to limit / prevent the relative distance between the guard blocks 16 along the circumferential direction 28 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0050] 7 shows a further preferred embodiment for connecting the protection blocks 16 in the longitudinal direction 8 with a locking member 32 separate from the protection blocks 16. This comprises a key-type or similar structure having two opposing longitudinal portions 32' in the shape of dovetails received in respective complementary recesses 34 formed in the longitudinal ends facing the two protection blocks 16. In this embodiment, each protection block 16 is curved along the circumferential direction 28 to follow the general shape of the annular space 18 in which it is located.

[0051] In all embodiments envisaged comprising locking members 32 separate from the guard blocks 16 connected by separate locking members 32, the locking members 32 each form a smaller portion of the guard blocks 16. Furthermore, the locking members 32 each extend only along a portion of the radial thickness E1 of the annular space 18, for example along 5% to 30% of said radial thickness E1.

[0052] The locking member 32 is preferably made from a material different from that of the protection block 16, for example from a metallic material.

[0053] All of the principles associated with the preferred embodiment described above are applicable to configurations in which the protection device 14 comprises two or more concentric annular rows of protection blocks 16 about the central longitudinal axis 2.

[0054] In a preferred embodiment shown in Figure 8, the arrangement comprises two concentric rows 36a, 36b arranged in the annular space 18, each of which is formed by a series of protective blocks 16 arranged along the circumferential direction 28. Each protective block 16 extends along the height direction 8 over the entire or part of the length of the container side body 10. The protective blocks 16 have a simple shape, such as a substantially parallelepiped, and are optionally curved along the circumferential direction 28 to follow the general shape of the annular space 18 in which they are arranged. Here, each protective block 16 in each of the two concentric rows 36a, 36b is preferably formed integrally and comprises a first portion 16a and a second portion 16b located in the circumferential extension of the first portion 16a. The protection blocks 16 of the first concentric row 36a, which is arranged radially outward, and the protection blocks 16 of the second concentric row 36b, which is arranged radially inward, are positioned at an angular offset relative to each other, so that the contact surfaces between the protection blocks 16 of the first concentric row 36a are not aligned radially with the contact surfaces between the protection blocks 16 of the second concentric row 36b. This arrangement corresponds to a staggered arrangement of the protection blocks 16 forming the two concentric rows 36a, 36b, and can limit neutron leakage through the contact surfaces.

[0055] In this configuration, the first portion 16a of each of the protection blocks 16 in the first concentric row 36a is covered by the second portion 16b of one of the protection blocks in the second concentric row 36b, and similarly, the second portion 16b of each of the protection blocks 16 in the first concentric row 36a is covered by the first portion 16a of the immediately adjacent protection block in the second concentric row 36b. The same is true for the protection blocks 16 in the second concentric row 36b. That is, the first portion 16a is covered by the second portion 16b of one of the protection blocks in the first concentric row 36a, and the second portion 16b is covered by the first portion 16a of the immediately adjacent protection block in the first concentric row 36a. Thus, the two overlapping protection blocks 16 in the first and second concentric rows 36a and 36b, respectively, are offset from each other in the circumferential direction.

[0056] In other words, the first portion 16a of the first protective block 16 in the second concentric row 36b is covered in the radial direction 30 by the second portion 16b of the second protective block 16 in the first concentric row 36a, and the second portion 16b of the first protective block is covered, also in the radial direction 30, by the first portion 16a of the third protective block 16 in the first concentric row 36a, and the second protective block 16 and the third protective block 16 are directly adjacent in the circumferential direction 28 in the first concentric row 36a. Similarly, a first portion 16a of a first guard block 16 in the first concentric row 36a is covered in the radial direction 30 by a second portion 16b of a second guard block 16 in the second concentric row 36b, which in turn is covered in the radial direction 30 by a first portion 16a of a third guard block 16 in the second concentric row 36b, such that the second and third guard blocks 16 are immediately adjacent in the circumferential direction 28 in the second concentric row 36b. Furthermore, it should be noted that if two guard blocks 16 partially cover each other in the radial direction 30, the two guard blocks 16 are considered to be contiguous in the circumferential direction 28 even if they do not belong to the same annular row.

[0057] In this preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the protection blocks 16 in the second concentric row 36b includes two locking members 32 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, with the first locking member being provided in the first portion 16a and the second locking member being provided in the second portion 16b. Additionally, each of the protection blocks 16 in the first concentric row 36a includes two recesses 34 spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction, with the first recess being provided in the first portion 16a and the second recess being provided in the second portion 16b. Thus, each of the protection blocks 16 in the second concentric row 36b has a first locking member 32 for insertion into the second recess 34 of the protection blocks 16 in the first concentric row 16a, while the second locking members 32 of the protection blocks 16 in the second concentric row 36b are inserted into the first recess 34 of the immediately adjacent protection blocks 16 in the first concentric row 16a. Thus, in this embodiment, the locking members 32 are located in the radially overlapping region of the two protection blocks 16 and help to hold the two protection blocks relative to each other, thereby contributing to limiting / preventing the two protection blocks from moving away from each other along the circumferential direction 28.

[0058] Of course, the above configuration could be reversed, i.e., the protruding members 32 could be provided on the guard blocks of the first concentric row 36a and the recesses 34 could be provided on the guard blocks of the second concentric row 36b, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0059] In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 8, the radially protruding locking members 32 are identical to or similar to the locking members described with reference to Figure 2, in particular having a semicircular cross section. However, all other features described with reference to Figure 2 are also applicable, such as the locking members 32 being elongated in the longitudinal direction 8.

[0060] In a further possible embodiment, which is simply represented diagrammatically in FIG. 9, the radially projecting locking members 32 have a trapezoidal shape that cooperates with the recesses 34 .

[0061] In a further preferred embodiment shown in Figure 10, two annular concentric rows 36a, 36b are formed by guard blocks 16 having a generally U-shaped cross section. The second concentric row 36b includes U-shaped guard blocks 16 with two opposing arms projecting radially outward, while the first concentric row 36a includes U-shaped guard blocks 16 with two opposing arms projecting radially inward.

[0062] The two arms of each of the protection blocks 16 of the second concentric row 36b respectively form the two locking elements 32 of that protection block, while the spaces 40 formed between the two arms of each of the protection blocks 16 of the first concentric row 36a form two adjacent recesses 34 that are integrated with one another in the circumferential direction. The recesses 34 are configured to receive two arms / elements 32 belonging to each of two directly adjacent protection blocks 16 of the second concentric row 36b. In this case, both of the two adjacent locking elements 32 belonging to two separate protection blocks 16 have a shape complementary to the shape of the spaces 40 into which the two locking elements are inserted.

[0063] Such a configuration with U-shaped guard blocks 16 is also suitable when the guard blocks are continuous in the longitudinal direction 8 in the annular space 18, so that the arms of the U of the second concentric row 36b cooperate with the spaces 40 formed between the arms of the U of the first concentric row 36a to limit / prevent the guard blocks 16 from moving apart in the longitudinal direction.

[0064] Obviously, due to the preferred geometric identity between the U-shaped protective blocks of the two concentric rows 36a, 36b, it may alternatively be that each of the two arms of each protective block 16 of the first concentric row 36a forms two locking members 32 of that protective block, while the space formed between the two arms of each protective block 16 of the first concentric row 36a forms two adjacent recesses 34 that are integrated with each other in the circumferential direction, and that the recesses 34 are configured to receive the two arms / members 32 belonging to each of the two directly adjacent protective blocks 16 of the first concentric row 36a.

[0065] Furthermore, it should be reiterated that in the case of a configuration with a double annular row of protection blocks 16, it is also possible to have a locking element 32 that is independent of the protection blocks 16, i.e., not integrated with them. For example, in FIG. 11 , the protruding element is replaced by a radially oriented pin 32. Two opposite ends of the pin 32 are received in two recesses 34 belonging to two protection blocks 16, one belonging to the first concentric row 36a and the other to the second concentric row 36b. For two given protection blocks 16, several pins 34 are arranged spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal direction 8. Alternatively, one or more pins 32 can be replaced by a key extending along the same longitudinal direction 8. Two opposite edges of the key are received in two recesses 34 in the form of longitudinal grooves.

[0066] It is obvious that the above-described invention can be varied in many ways by those skilled in the art based on the merely non-limiting examples, provided that it complies with the technical scope defined by the claims. In particular, the various preferred embodiments described above can be combined, but the features of the embodiments can still be interchanged. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 container 2 (of container 1) longitudinal central axis 3 Radioactive materials 4 Container base 6 Cover 8 Height direction (longitudinal direction) 10 (of container 1) side body 14 Radiation protection equipment (neutron protection equipment) 16 Neutron protection elements (protection blocks, blocks) 16a (Block 16) first part 16b (Block 16) second part 16' Further protrusion 18 Annular Space 20 Inner ferrule 22 outer casing 28 (of the annular space 18) circumferential direction 30 (of the annular space 18) radial direction 32 Locking member (protrusion, pin) 32' Longitudinal section 34 Depression 36a (First) Concentric Row 36b (Second) Concentric Row

Claims

1. A container (1) for transporting and / or storing radioactive material (3), said container (1) comprising a cavity (12) for containing the radioactive material (3), and a radiation protection device (14) arranged inside an annular space (18) around the containment cavity and centered on a central longitudinal axis (2) of said container, said radiation protection device (14) comprising a radiation protection element (16) arranged in the annular space (18), a locking member (32) configured to limit / prevent separation of the two radiation protection elements (16) relative to each other in a predetermined direction of the annular space (18), the locking member (32) being provided in the annular space (18) in association with at least two adjacent radiation protection elements (16) in the predetermined direction of the annular space (18), the locking member (32) cooperating with or being integral with a first of the two radiation protection elements (16) and cooperating with a recess (34) formed in a second of the two radiation protection elements (16).

2. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (32) is integral with the first radiation protection element (16).

3. 3. A container according to claim 2, characterized in that the locking member (32) is an elongated member.

4. 4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the locking member (32) in the form of an elongated line extends perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

5. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the locking member (32) is a separate part from the first radiation protection element (16) and the second radiation protection element (16), and the locking member (32) cooperates with a recess (34) formed in the first radiation protection element (16).

6. 6. The container of claim 5, wherein the locking member (32) is smaller than the first and second radiation protection elements (16).

7. 6. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking member (32) is a pin, a key or a clip.

8. 6. A container according to claim 5, characterized in that the locking member (32) extends only along a portion of the radial thickness (E1) of the annular space (18).

9. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first radiation protection element (16) and the second radiation protection element (16) are immediately adjacent in the predetermined direction in a single annular row of radiation protection elements (16).

10. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first and second radiation protection elements belong to two concentric annular rows of the radiation protection elements, and the first and second radiation protection elements are offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction while partially overlapping in the radial direction of the annular space.

11. 11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the locking member (32) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (8) at the height of an area where the first radiation protection element (16) and the second radiation protection element (16) overlap in the radial direction.

12. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein the annular space (18) is defined by an inner ferrule (20) and an outer casing (22).

13. 13. The container of claim 12, wherein the annular space (18) is free of any heat conductor connecting the inner ferrule (20) to the outer casing (22).

14. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the radiation protection element (16) is a neutron protection element.

15. 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the radiation protection elements (16) of the radiation protection device (14) comprises two locking members (32) arranged on both sides of the radiation protection element (16) in the predetermined direction, the two locking members (32) being configured to limit / prevent the two radiation protection elements (16) from moving apart from each other.

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