Liquid radioactive waste esp. contg. tritium - stored in spherical containers pref. inside shielding vessel(s)

摘要

Liq. radioactive wastes, esp. water contg. tritium, are stored in spherical containers; these containers are stacked inside a storage vessel in a hexagonal array to provide the densest possible theoretical packing. In a pref. embodiment, the containers are placed in the storage vessel each with their opening uppermost, the radioactive waste is fed into the storage vessel until it is full, and then the surplus waste contained in the spaces between the containers is drawn off. Pref., both the storage vessel and the containers within it are evacuated before the liq. waste is fed in. Used for the long-term storage of liq. wastes, esp. those contg. tritium, without the possible risks associated with burying the waste in geological formations. The method provides a multiple barrier system against escape of the waste.