Radioactive Waste Container Sealing via Welded Metal Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport and storage containers for radioactive components, particularly radioactive waste, face challenges in maintaining long-term tightness without additional sealing measures, which are complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A container design featuring a main container cover connected to the container jacket via screw connections, with a separate elastomeric or metallic sealing component between them, and an integral metal sealing element welded to both components, ensuring long-term tightness without additional reinforcement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing measures are used between the main container cover and container jacket, then the container can be sealed initially, but long-term tightness cannot be maintained without additional sealing components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into two distinct sealing components: a first sealing component (flexible seal) for initial sealing and a second sealing component (metal sealing ring) for long-term tightness. This segmentation allows each sealing component to perform its specific function optimally without requiring additional reinforcement measures.
Solution Approach 2:
The second sealing component (metal sealing ring) is pre-installed on the container jacket before the main container cover is attached. This preliminary action ensures that the long-term tightness sealing is already in place and will automatically engage when the cover is secured, eliminating the need for additional sealing measures later.
2Reliability
If additional sealing measures are added to ensure long-term tightness, then reliability improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of initial sealing and long-term tightness sealing into a single integrated sealing system with two sealing components. This combining approach achieves long-term reliability without requiring separate additional sealing measures, thereby controlling manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sealing component (flexible seal) is designed as a simpler, more economical sealing element that provides initial sealing. The second sealing component (metal sealing ring) provides durable long-term tightness. This tiered approach uses cost-effective materials where appropriate while ensuring long-term reliability.
3Reliability
If a separate sealing component is used between the main container cover and container jacket, then long-term tightness is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second sealing component (metal sealing ring) serves multiple functions: it provides long-term tightness sealing, acts as a compression element, and integrates with the screw connection system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate sealing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The first sealing component (flexible seal) is arranged in a groove on the container jacket, and the second sealing component (metal sealing ring) is positioned within the sealing area between the cover and jacket. This nested arrangement allows both sealing components to coexist in a compact configuration without significantly increasing overall complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method for achieving long-term container tightness, eliminating the need for additional sealing measures and ensuring optimal container integrity for both interim and final storage.
Implementation Method 1
the at least first sealing component consists of a flexible material and preferably of a material that is elastically deformable under the conditions of the lid application to the container
Implementation Method 2
an integral metal sealing element welded to both components
Data Source
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AI summary
Transport and/or storage container for holding radioactive components, in particular for holding radioactive waste, wherein the container has a container base (1), a container shell (2) and a container lid (3). At least one first sealing component is arranged between the container lid and the container shell. At least one first sealing element (5) is provided between the container lid and the container shell, the sealing element being materially bonded to the container lid on one side and to the container shell on the other.