Device for sealing a pressure vessel; use of the device for sealing a reactor containment

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sealing a pressure vessel (11) by connecting a substantially cylindrical edge region (12) of the pressure vessel (11) to a substantially cylindrical connecting section (14) of a cover (13), wherein the connecting section (14) has radial through-openings (15), in which a respective blocking body (16) is arranged, and wherein the edge region (12) has receiving surfaces (17) for the blocking bodies (16), which are formed substantially corresponding to the blocking bodies (16), and wherein the connecting section (14) is surrounded (19) by a ring element (18) which has boreholes (19) in which adjusting screws (20) are arranged, and which can be moved relative to the connecting section (14), in order to move the blocking bodies (16) between at least one closed position and at least one open position, wherein the blocking bodies (16) are pressed into the receiving surfaces (17) of the edge region (12) by the adjusting screws (20) in the closed position and are outwardly released in the open position, such that the connecting section (14) of the cover (13) can be detached from the edge region (12) of the pressure vessel (11), wherein the blocking bodies (16) are distributed over the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section (14), wherein neighbouring blocking bodies are each at a distance of between 30 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 90 mm, from one another.

Description

[0001] Device for sealing a pressure vessel; use of the device for sealing a reactor containment vessel

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device for closing a pressure vessel by connecting a substantially cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel with a substantially cylindrical connecting section of a cover.

[0004] Devices for closing pressure vessels are known, for example, from CH 635 658 A or CH 630 451 A. These known devices have locking elements that serve to connect a pressure vessel to its corresponding cover. Although the known devices already function well, there is room for improvement with regard to closure reliability.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a device for sealing pressure vessels that offers improved sealing reliability. Furthermore, the invention is based on the objective of providing the use of the device for sealing a reactor containment vessel.

[0006] According to the invention, this problem is solved with regard to the device by the subject matter of claim 1. With regard to the use of the device, this problem is solved by the subject matter of claim 7.

[0007] Specifically, the problem is solved by a device for closing a pressure vessel by connecting a substantially cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel to a substantially cylindrical connecting section of a cover. The connecting section has radial through-openings, each containing a locking element, and the edge region has receiving surfaces for the locking elements, which are shaped substantially corresponding to the locking elements. Furthermore, the connecting section is surrounded by a ring element with bores in which adjusting screws are arranged. The ring element is movable relative to the connecting section in order to move the locking elements between at least one closed position and at least one open position.In the closed position, the locking elements are pressed against the receiving surfaces of the edge area by the adjusting screws, and in the open position, they are released to the outside, so that the connecting section of the cover can be detached from the edge area of ​​the pressure vessel. The locking elements are arranged distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section, with adjacent locking elements having a distance of between 30 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, and in particular at least 90 mm, from each other.

[0008] The invention has several advantages.

[0009] The device according to the invention has at least one closed position and at least one open position. On the one hand, the device according to the invention achieves a secure connection between a pressure vessel and a cover in the closed position, and on the other hand, it ensures that the connection can be easily and quickly released.

[0010] In the closed position of the device, the cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel and the cylindrical connecting section of the cover are preferably arranged coaxially and connected to each other by several locking elements. To position or receive the locking elements in the connecting section, the connecting section has through-openings, with one locking element arranged in each through-opening. The through-openings are preferably designed as through-bores that are oriented essentially radially in the direction of the connecting section. In other words, the through-openings in the connecting section extend, particularly radially, towards the center of the cylindrical connecting section.

[0011] Furthermore, in the closed position, the locking elements are pressed or pushed against corresponding receiving surfaces in the edge region of the cylindrical pressure vessel. The number of receiving surfaces preferably corresponds to the number of through-openings or locking elements. The receiving surfaces are shaped to correspond to the locking elements, i.e., adapted to their shape.

[0012] If the cylindrical edge region and the cylindrical connecting section are arranged coaxially in the closed position, each through-opening of the connecting section faces a receiving surface of the edge region, essentially in a radial direction. In other words, the through-openings preferably transition into the receiving surfaces or connect to the receiving surfaces. This is preferably understood to mean that the through-openings and the receiving surfaces are arranged along a straight line in the closed position, running essentially in the radial direction of the cylindrical connecting section. This ensures that the locking elements are aligned towards the receiving surfaces in order to be pressed into them.

[0013] The locking elements are held in the closed position by adjusting screws, or pressed into the receiving surfaces of the edge area. For this purpose, the device has a ring element that surrounds the connecting section. The ring element has bores, each containing an adjusting screw. The number of adjusting screws preferably corresponds to the number of locking elements. The ring element is movable relative to the connecting section to move the locking elements between the closed and open positions. In particular, the ring element is raised to move the locking elements into the open position. By lowering the ring element, the locking elements can be moved into the closed position, i.e., pressed into the receiving surfaces of the edge area. In doing so, the locking elements move or change position radially towards the center of the cylindrical connecting section.

[0014] To lift the ring element, the adjusting screws are first loosened. Lifting the ring element then releases the locking elements, meaning they can move out of the receiving surfaces of the edge. In other words, the locking elements move or change position radially away from the center of the cylindrical connecting section. This releases the connection between the edge and the connecting section. The release of the locking elements is achieved in particular by the ring element having a groove that, in its installed position, is located below the bores or adjusting screws. In other words, the groove is preferably positioned in the closing direction after the bores. Lifting the ring element brings the groove to the level of the locking elements, causing the locking elements to move into the groove of the ring element and out of the receiving surfaces of the edge.

[0015] The closed position of the device preferably refers to the position in which the locking elements are pressed into the receiving surfaces of the edge region. Furthermore, the open position preferably refers to positions in which the locking elements are released. The open position can include, on the one hand, positions in which the connecting section of the cover rests on the edge region of the pressure vessel. On the other hand, the connecting section of the cover can be lifted from the edge region of the pressure vessel in the open position.

[0016] The locking elements are arranged around the circumference of the connection section, in particular in a substantially uniform manner. It has been shown that a particularly secure connection, a particularly high degree of locking resistance, and a simple and quick release of the connection are achieved when adjacent locking elements are spaced between 30 mm and 100 mm apart in the circumferential direction. If the distance between adjacent locking elements is, for example, 100 mm, the number of locking elements required is lower for the same circumference of the connection section than with a smaller distance of, for example, 30 mm.

[0017] The minimum distance of 30 mm between adjacent locking elements ensures that the number of locking elements is kept to a minimum, allowing for quick and easy disconnection. The disconnection time depends primarily on the number of adjusting screws, as each screw must be loosened to release the locking elements. The greater the number of locking elements, the longer the disconnection takes. The minimum distance between the locking elements, as defined by the invention, establishes a minimum value that should not be undercut to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the disconnection time. Furthermore, the maximum distance of 100 mm between adjacent locking elements ensures that the number of locking elements is sufficient to achieve a secure seal. The greater the distance between the locking elements, the fewer locking elements are involved in sealing the pressure vessel.The maximum distance between the locking elements according to the invention defines a value that should not be exceeded, so that sufficient locking security is ensured.

[0018] The inventive spacing of 30 mm to 100 mm between adjacent locking elements thus provides a compromise between securely closing the pressure vessel and minimizing the opening time. The device therefore exhibits a high degree of sealing reliability without affecting the opening time.

[0019] The distance between adjacent barrier bodies can be measured from an outer contour of one barrier body to an opposite outer contour of an adjacent barrier body.

[0020] The invention further has the advantage that the distance between adjacent barrier elements can be adapted to the size of the pressure vessel, i.e., to the circumference of the cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel. Due to the spacing according to the invention, the device is applicable to a wide range of applications, i.e., to pressure vessels of different sizes. For example, the distance between adjacent barrier elements can be at least 40 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, in particular at least 60 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 80 mm, and in particular at least 90 mm.

[0021] The device is preferably used for sealing reactor containment vessels. The invention is not limited to this application and can also be used for pressure vessels in other fields.

[0022] A reactor containment vessel, also called a safety shell or containment structure, is preferably a gas-tight and pressure-resistant enclosure around a nuclear reactor. The reactor containment vessel preferably forms one of several barriers that serve to contain radioactive materials, even in the event of an accident.

[0023] Preferred embodiments of the invention are claimed or specified in the dependent claims.

[0024] In one embodiment, the locking elements are spherical or have the shape of a sphere. The spherical locking elements can be arranged in the through-openings of the connecting section, the size or diameter of the through-openings, in particular through-bores, being advantageously adapted to the spherical locking elements. The locking elements preferably have a diameter between 60 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 80 mm, and in particular at least 90 mm. The diameter of the spherical locking elements is advantageously adaptable to the size of the pressure vessel, i.e., to the circumference of the cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel.

[0025] If the locking elements are spherical, the distance between the locking elements can be determined from the circumference or diameter of the connecting section, the diameter of the spherical locking elements and the number of locking elements.

[0026] The device preferably has between 120 and 190 locking elements, in particular at least 140 locking elements, in particular at least 150 locking elements, and in particular at least 170 locking elements. This preferably results in between 120 and 190 locking elements being arranged around the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section, in particular in a substantially uniform manner. The number of locking elements is advantageously adaptable to the size of the pressure vessel, i.e., to the circumference of the cylindrical edge region of the pressure vessel.

[0027] The cylindrical connecting section of the cover preferably has a diameter of at most 9000 mm, more particularly at most 8000 mm, more particularly at most 7000 mm, and more particularly at most 6000 mm. This advantageously makes the device suitable for a wide range of applications. It is preferred that, for pressure vessels with a cylindrical rim area of ​​a comparatively large diameter, for example 9000 mm, a larger diameter of the spherical locking elements and / or a greater number of locking elements are provided. The parameters of the diameter and / or the number of locking elements can be adapted to the diameter of the cylindrical connecting section.

[0028] The through-openings of the connecting section can each have an inclined area that forms an angle between 1° and 5°, particularly at least 2°, particularly at least 3°, and particularly at least 4°, with a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting section. This improves the release of the connection between the connecting section and the edge region. This is particularly due to the fact that the release of the locking elements to the outside is facilitated. Preferably, the through-openings are inclined such that the preferably spherical locking elements can roll outwards along the inclined area. Through the inclined area, the locking elements roll into the groove of the ring element and out of the receiving surfaces of the edge region. The rolling of the locking elements is facilitated by an inclined angle between 1° and 5°.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the pressure vessel is a reactor containment vessel having a substantially cylindrical rim. The cylindrical rim of the reactor containment vessel can be connected to a cylindrical connecting section of a cover suitable for sealing the reactor containment vessel.

[0030] According to dependent claim 7, the invention relates to the use of the device for sealing a reactor containment vessel. Reference is made to the advantages explained in connection with the device.

[0031] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device according to the invention for closing a pressure vessel with a cover, wherein the device is in the closing position;

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the device according to Fig. 1 in the open position, wherein the

[0034] cover rests against the pressure vessel; and

[0035] Fig. 3 shows the device according to Fig. 1 in the open position, wherein the

[0036] The cover has been lifted from the pressure vessel.

[0037] Figures 1 to 3 show an embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention for closing a pressure vessel 11. Specifically, the device 10 is used to close a reactor containment vessel. The device 10 serves to connect an edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11 to a connecting section 14 of a cover 13. Other applications are conceivable.

[0038] The pressure vessel 11, or reactor containment vessel 11, has a substantially cylindrical rim 12. The rim 12 forms part of the reactor containment vessel 11. Furthermore, the rim 12 forms the upper termination of the reactor containment vessel 11. As shown in Fig. 1, the cylindrical rim 12 is welded to the reactor containment vessel 11. Alternatively, the rim 12 can be formed integrally with the reactor containment vessel 11.

[0039] The cover 13 for the reactor containment vessel 11 is essentially dome-shaped. In other words, the cover 13 has the form of a dome. Other configurations of the cover 13 are conceivable.

[0040] Furthermore, the cover 13 has a substantially cylindrical connecting section 14. As shown in Fig. 1, the cylindrical connecting section 14 is welded to the cover 13 for the reactor containment vessel. Alternatively, the connecting section 14 can be formed integrally with the cover 13.

[0041] The connecting section 14 has through-openings 15, each containing a locking element 16. The through-openings 15 are designed as conical bores and are arranged substantially uniformly around the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section 14. The through-openings 15 are oriented substantially radially to the connecting section 14. A locking element 16 is arranged in each through-opening 15.

[0042] The barrier elements 16 are spherical in shape. They serve to connect the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11 to the connecting section 14 of the cover 13.

[0043] The edge region 12 has receiving surfaces 17 for the locking elements 16, which are essentially shaped correspondingly to the locking elements 16. Specifically, the receiving surfaces 17 are designed as spherical recesses that serve to receive the locking elements 16. The number of receiving surfaces 17 in the edge region 12 corresponds to the number of through openings 15 in the connecting section 14.

[0044] Figures 1 to 3 further show that the connecting section 14 is surrounded by a ring element 18. The outer circumference of the connecting section 14 corresponds essentially to the inner circumference of the ring element 18.

[0045] The ring element 18 has bores 19 in which adjusting screws 20 are arranged. The number of bores 19 in the ring element 18 corresponds to the number of through openings 15 in the connecting section 14. Each bore 19 is assigned to a through opening 15 or a locking element 16. The bores 19 of the ring element 18 are designed as through bores. Furthermore, the bores 19 are inclined relative to a plane arranged perpendicular to the central axis of the ring element 18.

[0046] The ring element 18 is movable relative to the connecting section 14 in order to move the locking elements 16 between at least one closed position and at least one open position. Fig. 1 shows the device 10 in the closed position. Figs. 2 and 3 show the device in the open position. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the ring element 18 is raised to move the locking elements 16 into the open position. By lowering the ring element 18, the locking elements 16 are moved into the closed position (see Fig. 1), i.e., pressed into the receiving surfaces 17 of the edge region 12.

[0047] In the closed position, the locking elements 16 are pressed against the receiving surfaces 17 of the edge region 12. Specifically, each locking element 16 is pressed into the receiving surface 17 of the edge region 12 by the associated adjusting screw 20. For this purpose, one end face of the adjusting screws 20 faces each locking element 16 in the closed position.

[0048] The bores 19 of the ring element 18 are aligned with the through-openings 15 of the connecting section 14 in the closed position. The bores 19 are arranged such that the axes of the bores 19 essentially pass through the center of the associated spherical locking element 16.

[0049] Fig. 1 shows that the cylindrical rim 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11 and the cylindrical connecting section 14 of the cover 13 are arranged coaxially in the closed position. In the closed position, the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 rests on the rim 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11.

[0050] Seals 22 are arranged on an end face of the edge area 12, which in the closed position bear against a counter surface of the connecting section 14 (see Fig. 1).

[0051] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the locking elements 16 are released in the open position, allowing the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 to be detached from the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11. The locking elements 16 are released by rolling out of the receiving surfaces 17 of the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11 and at least partially out of the through-openings 15 of the connecting section 14 of the cover 13.

[0052] The locking elements 16 are rolled out by the fact that the ring element 12 has a groove 23 located below the bores 19 and adjusting screws 20. By lifting the ring element 18 with a lifting device (not shown), the adjusting screws 20 are moved away from the corresponding locking elements 16. As soon as the groove 23 of the ring element 12 is at the level of the locking elements 16, the locking elements 16 roll out of the receiving surfaces 17 of the edge region 12 and into the groove 23 of the ring element 18. The release of the locking elements 16 is visualized in Figures 2 and 3.

[0053] Fig. 2 shows that the barrier elements 16 are released and the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 rests on the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11. Fig. 3 shows that the barrier elements 16 are released and the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 has been lifted from the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11.

[0054] The groove 23 is formed so deep that the locking elements 16, rolling outwards in the through-openings 15, completely release the outer diameter of the cylindrical edge area 12 in the area of ​​the receiving surfaces 17.

[0055] The ring element 18 further comprises a radially inwardly projecting collar 24, which is arranged on a lower end face of the ring element 18. When the ring element 18 is lifted, the collar 24 comes into contact with the connecting section 14 of the cover 13. The collar 24 enables the ring element 18 and the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 to be lifted together.

[0056] The barrier elements 16 are arranged distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section 14. Adjacent barrier elements 16 are spaced between 30 mm and 100 mm apart. The spacing between adjacent barrier elements 16 is adapted to the application and the size of the reactor containment vessel 11. Such a spacing has proven particularly advantageous for a wide range of applications, i.e., for a large number of different sizes of reactor containment vessels 11.

[0057] Such a distance between adjacent barrier elements 16 ensures the secure closure of the pressure vessel 11 or the reactor containment vessel 11. This means that the distance between adjacent barrier elements 16 is chosen such that the reactor containment vessel 11 is securely closed during operation. The greater the distance between the barrier elements 16, the fewer barrier elements 16 are involved in closing the reactor containment vessel 11. The maximum distance of 100 mm between the barrier elements 16 defines a value that should not be exceeded to ensure sufficient closure reliability.

[0058] Furthermore, the spacing between the barrier elements 16 ensures that the opening time of the reactor containment vessel 11 is as short as possible, thus reducing reactor downtime. To open the reactor containment vessel 11 or to remove the cover 13 from the reactor containment vessel 11, the adjusting screws 20 in the ring element 18 are loosened. The greater the number of adjusting screws 20, the more time is required to remove the cover 13. The minimum distance of 30 mm between the barrier elements defines a value that should not be undercut in order to avoid unnecessarily prolonging the time required to release the connection.

[0059] The distance between adjacent barrier bodies 16 according to the invention therefore provides a compromise between a secure closure of the reactor safety container 11 and the shortest possible opening time of the reactor safety container 11.

[0060] Figures 1 to 3 show that the barrier elements 16 are spherical. The barrier elements 16 have a diameter between 60 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 80 mm, and in particular at least 90 mm. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the diameter of the spherical barrier elements 16 is adapted to the size of the reactor containment vessel 11, i.e., to the circumference of the cylindrical edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11.

[0061] In the embodiment according to Figures 1 to 3, between 120 and 190 locking elements 16, in particular at least 140 locking elements 16, in particular at least 150 locking elements 16, in particular at least 170 locking elements 16, are arranged distributed around the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section 14. The number of locking elements 16 is adapted to the size of the pressure vessel 11, i.e., to the circumference of the cylindrical edge region 12 of the pressure vessel 11.

[0062] The cylindrical connecting section 14 of the cover 13 has a diameter of at most 9000 mm, in particular at most 8000 mm, in particular at most 7000 mm, in particular at most 6000 mm. The device 10 is usable for various sizes of reactor containment vessels 11.

[0063] Figures 1 to 3 show that the through-opening 15 of the connecting section 14 each has an inclined region 21 which forms an angle between 1° and 5° with a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting section 14. In other words, the through-openings 15 are inclined such that the spherical locking elements 16 roll outwards along the inclined region 21 when the ring element 18 is raised, i.e., when the device 10 is moved into the open position. The locking elements roll into the groove 23 of the ring element 18 and out of the receiving surfaces 17 of the edge region 12, thereby allowing the connecting section 14 of the cover 13 to be completely detached from the edge region 12 of the reactor containment vessel 11.

[0064] List of references

[0065] 10 Device

[0066] 11 pressure vessels

[0067] 12 Edge area

[0068] 13 Cover

[0069] 14 Connecting section

[0070] 15 Through opening

[0071] 16 locking elements

[0072] 17 Recording area

[0073] 18 ring element

[0074] 19 bore

[0075] 20 adjusting screw

[0076] 21 Inclination range

[0077] 22 Seal 23 Groove

[0078] 24 Bund

Claims

Device for sealing a pressure vessel; use of the device for sealing a reactor containment vessel Claims 1. Device (10) for closing a pressure vessel (11) by connecting a substantially cylindrical edge region (12) of the pressure vessel (11) with a substantially cylindrical connecting section (14) of a cover (13), wherein the connecting section (14) has radial through-openings (15) in which a locking element (16) is arranged, and wherein the edge region (12) has receiving surfaces (17) for the locking elements (16) which are shaped substantially corresponding to the locking elements (16), and wherein the connecting section (14) is surrounded by a ring element (18) which has bores (19) in which adjusting screws (20) are arranged, and which is movable relative to the connecting section (14) in order to move the locking elements (16) between at least one closed position and at least one open position.wherein the locking elements (16) are pressed into the receiving surfaces (17) of the edge region (12) by the adjusting screws (20) in the closed position and are released to the outside in the open position, so that the connecting section (14) of the cover (13) can be detached from the edge region (12) of the pressure vessel (11), characterized in that the locking elements (16) are arranged distributed over the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section (14), wherein adjacent locking elements (16) each have a distance of between 30 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 50 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 90 mm, from each other.

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the locking elements (16) are spherical and have a diameter between 60 mm and 100 mm, in particular at least 70 mm, in particular at least 80 mm, in particular at least 90 mm.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that between 120 and 190 locking elements (16), in particular at least 140 locking elements (16), in particular at least 150 locking elements (16), in particular at least 170 locking elements (16), are arranged distributed over the circumference of the cylindrical connecting section (14).

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the cylindrical connecting section (14) of the cover (13) has a diameter of at most 9000 mm, in particular at most 8000 mm, in particular at most 7000 mm, in particular at most 6000 mm.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the through-opening (15) of the connecting section (14) each have an inclination area (21) which forms an angle between 1° and 5°, in particular at least 2°, in particular at least 3°, in particular at least 4°, with a plane perpendicular to the central axis of the connecting section (14).

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the pressure vessel (11) is a reactor safety vessel having a substantially cylindrical rim region (12).

7. Use of the device (10) according to any of the preceding claims for closing a reactor containment vessel.

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