Container for storing radioactive material

摘要

The invention is directed to a container for storing radioactive materials such as irradiated nuclear reactor fuel elements and the like. The vessel of the container is configured to have a plurality of wall layers. The inner wall layer of the vessel consists of a mechanically stable inexpensive metal material which is surrounded by a corrosion-protective wall layer made of high-alloy austenitic castable material with nodular graphite. The receiving opening of the vessel is closed by a sealing cover welded to the corrosion-protective layer. The container serves not only as a container for the final storage, it also can be utilized for a long-term storage at a surface location as well as for transport of the irradiated fuel elements. The amount of material needed for the corrosion-protective layer is held as low as possible. This is achieved by casting a wall layer of cast iron containing nodular graphite in surrounding relationship to the corrosion-resistant wall layer. The thickness of this outer wall layer is selected to afford the required shielding effect.