Electron beam welding of copper containers to encapsulate nuclear waste
The question of safe disposal of spent fuel and other high level nuclear wastes has yet to be answered. one possible solution, the concept that nuclear waste materials could be safely stored in large copper vessels (approximately 195 in. tall x 32 in. dia.) underground at geologically appropriate sites, has been advanced in Sweden since 1978. Copper and its alloys are good candidate materials because of their long-term corrosion properties under the environmental conditions anticipated for storage. To advance this copper container concept for long-term waste disposal, the Copper Development Association asked PTR-Precision Technologies to demonstrate feasibility of the electron beam process for this application by welding a mock-up section of the proposed copper vessel design. in order to accomplish this, the assistance of Wisconsin Centrifical, Inc. was enlisted to make the centrifically cast aluminum bronze-lined copper cylinder to which a solid copper lid had to be electron beam welded. A demonstration piece was assembled by mechanically fastening (Al-bronze bolts) the inner cover to liner. Then the 2-in. thick copper cover was put in place and clamped for welding. The cover had a pre-machined step to locate it on the cylinder and provide backup material for the electron beam weld. The assembly which weighed approximately 0.75 tons was then electron beam welded in a vacuum at a weld speed of 15 in./min. The copper lid to cylinder interface of 1 1/2 in. was completely welded in the single pass operation to provide a strong hermetic seal. A minimal amount of heat was generated because of the efficiency of the welding process and the narrow weld zone. No filler material was required. A depth-to-width ratio of approximately 30 to 1 was achieved.
- OSTI ID:
- 115429
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9404233-; TRN: 95:023022
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 75. American Welding Society (AWS) annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA (United States), 10-15 Apr 1994; Other Information: PBD: 1994; Related Information: Is Part Of 75th Diamond anniversary American Welding Society annual meeting; PB: 273 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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