Repackaging container for high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal

Abstract

The present invention discloses a repackaging container, for a high-integrity container, which can assure proper disposal of the high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal. The repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal according to the present invention comprises a main body having a space for accommodating a high-integrity container, and a lid part covering the main body, wherein the main body comprises, sequentially from the inside, a guide layer, an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer, the inner layer being a bentonite layer.

Description

Repackaging container for high-integrity containers for radioactive waste disposal

[0001] The present invention relates to a repackaging container for a high-integrity container capable of ensuring the disposal suitability of a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal.

[0002] Generally, polyethylene (PE) high-integrity containers (HICs) are used in various nuclear power plants for the storage and disposal of radioactive waste (e.g., waste resins). Repackaging containers designed to ensure disposal suitability for these polyethylene HICs are typically made of concrete to provide sufficient mechanical strength and ensure ease of fabrication. However, due to the characteristics of high-density polyethylene, it is difficult to provide the level of mechanical strength required by domestic disposal sites, resulting in a failure to achieve disposal suitability. Therefore, there is a need to develop repackaging containers that can accommodate HICs while possessing sufficient mechanical strength. However, internal radionuclides within HICs can leak out through water penetration or diffusion. Existing repackaging containers have a problem in that they are unable to adequately address the need to block or delay the external migration of radionuclides in the event of leakage.

[0003] Accordingly, the present invention is proposed to solve the aforementioned problems, and the objective of the present invention is to provide a repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal that enhances the safety of intermediate storage and disposal of polyethylene composite containers (high-integrity containers and repackaging containers) by blocking or delaying the movement of radionuclides in the event of leakage from the polyethylene high-integrity container.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned objective of the present invention, the present invention provides a repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, comprising a main body portion having a space for accommodating a high-integrity container and a lid portion covering the main body portion, wherein the main body portion has a guide layer, an inner layer, a mid layer, and an outer layer arranged in order from the inside, and the inner layer is a bentonite layer.

[0005] The above mid layer is preferably made of a copper plate or a copper grid plate.

[0006] The above outer layer is preferably made of a concrete layer.

[0007] It is preferable that the above guide layer comprises a guide portion for guiding a radionuclide leaking from the above high-integrity container to a certain position, a penetration portion for passing the radionuclide guided along the guide portion to the inner layer, and an absorption portion disposed below the penetration portion for absorbing the leaked radionuclide.

[0008] It is preferable that the guide portion protrudes inward from the guide layer and is formed in a spiral shape, with one end portion located on the side of the penetration portion and the absorption portion.

[0009] It is preferable that the above-mentioned penetration portions have a plurality of holes spaced apart.

[0010] The above absorption portion is positioned below the above penetration portion, and it is preferable that the guide layer forms a groove and is fitted into or coupled to the groove.

[0011] It is preferable that the guide portion, the penetration portion, and the absorption portion form a set, and that at least two or more regions are arranged in the upward and downward directions.

[0012] The present invention comprises a guide layer and an inner layer, wherein the inner layer is composed of a bentonite layer, and the guide layer is composed of a guide portion that guides a radionuclide leaking toward the innermost guide layer, a penetration portion that moves the radionuclide that has moved along the guide portion toward the inner layer, and an absorption portion that absorbs the radionuclide. The present invention has the effect of enhancing the safety of intermediate storage and disposal of polyethylene composite containers (high-integrity containers and repackaging containers) by blocking or delaying the movement of radionuclides when they leak from a polyethylene high-integrity container.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating the overall shape of a repackaging container accommodating a high integrity container to explain an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken by cutting part AA of Figure 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the interior of a repackaging container unfolded to explain an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the attached drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the present invention. However, the present invention may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts unrelated to the explanation have been omitted to clearly explain the present invention, and the same reference numerals are assigned to identical or similar components throughout the specification.

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal to explain an embodiment of the present invention. The repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal of an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the 'repackaging container') includes a main body (100) and a lid (200).

[0018] The main body (100) is provided with a space inside to accommodate a high integrity container (HIC) for radioactive waste. After accommodating the high integrity container (HIC) in the space inside, the main body (100) closes by covering it with a lid (200).

[0019] In the embodiment of the present invention, the main body (100) is arranged in layers from the inside to the outside, with a guide layer (110), an inner layer (130), a mid layer (150), and an outer layer (170) arranged in order. In the embodiment of the present invention, the lid (200) is arranged from the inside to the outside, with a guide layer (110), an inner layer (130), a mid layer (150), and an outer layer (170), similar to the main body (100).

[0020] The guide layer (110) can be made of a metal plate.

[0021] The guide layer (110) of the main body (100) of the embodiment of the present invention includes a guide portion (111), a penetration portion (113), and an absorption portion (115).

[0022] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide portion (111) may be formed in a structure in which a portion of the guide layer (110) protrudes in a spiral shape. It is preferable that the guide portion (111) be formed as a protrusion in which a portion of the guide layer (110) protrudes inward, that is, toward the side where the high-integrity container (HIC) is received. In the embodiment of the present invention, the guide portion (111) is described by illustrating a structure in which a portion of the guide layer (110) protrudes in a spiral shape, but it is not limited thereto, and it is also possible for a separate member to be coupled to the guide layer (110) to form a spiral shape. The guide portion (111) serves to guide nuclides leaking from the high-integrity container (HIC) toward the penetration portion (113) and the absorption portion (115). It is preferable that one end of the spiral of the guide portion (111) be positioned close to the penetration portion (113) and the absorption portion (115). Meanwhile, it is preferable that the guide portion (111) be made of a rubber or polymer material. The guide portion (111) being made of rubber or polymer material can guide radionuclides leaking from the high-integrity container (HIC) and simultaneously improve adhesion to the polyethylene high-integrity container (HIC). By maintaining the state in which the guide portion (111) adheres to the high-integrity container (HIC), the leaking radionuclides can be more easily guided to the penetration portion (113) and the absorption portion (115).

[0023] The penetration section (113) consists of holes that penetrate the guide layer (110) at spaced intervals. The penetration section (113) serves to move radionuclides leaked from the high-integrity container (HIC) to the inner layer (130). The penetration section (113) is positioned below the guide section (111) and is a passage that allows the leaked radionuclides guided by the guide section (111) to move toward the inner layer (130). The penetration section (113) may consist of multiple holes positioned at the same height relative to the bottom surface (see FIG. 3).

[0024] It is preferable that the absorbent part (115) be positioned at the bottom of the penetration part (113). The absorbent part (115) forms a groove (110a) in the guide layer (110), and a rectangular column-shaped strip-shaped absorbent body is fitted into the groove (110a). The absorbent body of the absorbent part (115) is made of a material capable of absorbing outflowing liquid waste. That is, the absorbent part (115) can primarily absorb liquid waste flowing out from the high-integrity container (HIC).

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the absorbent portion (115) is described by illustrating an example in which a groove (110a) is formed in the guide layer (110) and an absorbent body is fitted into the groove (110a); however, this is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to fix the absorbent body to the inner wall of the guide layer (110) using a separate bonding means such as an adhesive or a screw.

[0026] Meanwhile, the guide section (111), the penetration section (113), and the absorption section (115) form a set, and at least two or more regions can be arranged in layers on the guide layer (110) (see FIG. 3). It is preferable that the guide section (111), the penetration section (113), and the absorption section (115) each form a set and are arranged in the same structure in the first region (A1), the second region (A2), and the third region (A3) (see FIG. 3). The first region (A1), the second region (A2), and the third region (A3) are arranged in the upward and downward directions relative to the bottom surface of the repackaging container. This arrangement structure of the first region (A1), the second region (A2), and the third region (A3) allows for additional absorption in the second region (A2) and the third region (A3) if the repackaging container has not sufficiently absorbed the radionuclides leaked from the first region (A1).

[0027] The inner layer (130) of the main body (100) is preferably made of a bentonite layer capable of absorbing leaked nuclides. A space is formed between the guide layer (110) and the mid layer (150), and bentonite can be inserted or injected into this space. That is, the guide layer (110) and the mid layer (150) are provided with an opening between them (for example, on the upper side) through which bentonite can be injected or withdrawn. This structure allows for the replacement of bentonite, thereby ensuring ease of production and operation of the repackaging container.

[0028] The mid layer (150) is preferably made of a copper plate or a copper grid plate.

[0029] And the outer layer (170) is preferably made of a concrete layer.

[0030]

[0031] Meanwhile, the lid portion (200) is composed of a guide layer (110), an inner layer (130), a mid layer (150), and an outer layer (170), just like the main body portion (100). This lid portion (200) serves to accommodate a high-dryness container (HIC) in a repackaging container and to close the high-dryness container (HIC) by connecting it to the main body portion (100).

[0032]

[0033] When a nuclide leaks from the first region (A1) of the high-integrity container (HIC), the nuclide moves along the guide section (111) of the guide layer (110). Some of the moved nuclides are absorbed in the absorption section (115), and some flow into the inner layer (130) through the penetration section (113). The nuclides that flow into the inner layer (130) are absorbed by the bentonite, thereby restricting their movement.

[0034] If a nuclide leaks out to an amount that cannot be accommodated in the first region (A1), it moves to the second region (A2), where, just as in the first region (A1), some of the nuclides are absorbed in the absorption section (115) of the second region (A2), and some pass through the penetration section (113) of the second region (A2) to move to the inner layer (130). Thus, the nuclides that have moved to the inner layer (130) are absorbed by the bentonite, and their movement is restricted. If a nuclide leaks out to an amount that cannot be accommodated in the second region (A2) as well, it moves to the third region (A3). The nuclides that have moved to the third region (A3) are prevented from leaking out of the repackaging container or at least their movement is delayed by the same action described in the first region (A1) and the second region (A2).

[0035] The present invention can enhance the safety of interim storage and disposal of radioactive waste by utilizing a repackaging container to package a polyethylene high integrity container (HIC). In the event that the radioactive waste contained within the polyethylene high integrity container (HIC) leaks out due to permeation or diffusion of radionuclides, the repackaging container of the present invention performs the function of preventing external leakage and delaying the movement of radionuclides by having an inner layer (130) consisting of a bentonite layer disposed inside it absorb the liquid. Through this, the present invention can enhance the safety of interim storage and disposal of polyethylene composite containers (high integrity containers and repackaging containers).

[0036] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be implemented with various modifications within the scope of the claims, the detailed description of the invention, and the attached drawings, and it is obvious that such modifications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A main body portion having a space for accommodating a high-integrity container and a lid portion covering the main body portion, and The above main body Starting from the inside, the guide layer, inner layer, mid layer, and outer layer are arranged in order, and The above inner layer is A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, consisting of a bentonite layer.

2. In Claim 1, The above mid layer is a repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, made of a copper plate or a copper grid plate.

3. In Claim 1, The above outer layer is A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, consisting of a concrete layer.

4. In Claim 1, The above guide layer is A guide section for guiding radionuclides leaking from the above-mentioned high-integrity container to a specific location, A penetration portion that passes a nuclide guided along the above guide portion through the above inner layer, and An absorption part positioned below the above penetration part to absorb leaked nuclides A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal equipped with 5. In Claim 4, The above guide A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, which protrudes inwardly from the above guide layer and is formed in a spiral shape, with one end thereof located on the side of the above penetration part and the above absorption part.

6. In Claim 4, The above penetration part A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, in which a number of holes are spaced apart.

7. In Claim 4, The above absorption part It is positioned at the lower part of the above penetration section, and The above guide layer forms a groove, and A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal that is coupled to the above-mentioned groove.

8. In Claim 4, The above guide part, the above penetration part, and the above absorption part It forms a single set, A repackaging container for a high-integrity container for radioactive waste disposal, wherein at least two or more regions are arranged in the upper and lower directions.

Images