Container for radioactive waste
A method of forming a sealed canister and a method of storing radioactive materials is provided. The method of forming includes placing a top plate on a top opening of a side wall, a bottom of the side wall being sealed to a base plate. The top plate includes a top surface with a top edge having a bevel and with a channel set in from the top edge. Finally, a weld is formed between the beveled top edge and the top opening of the side wall to seal the top plate to the side wall.
1. A method of forming a sealed canister, the method comprising
placing a top plate on a top opening of a side wall, a bottom of the side wall being sealed to a base plate, wherein the top plate includes a top surface with a top edge having a bevel and with a channel set in from the top edge;
forming a weld between the beveled top edge and the top opening of the side wall to seal the top plate to the side wall;
placing a first probe in the channel and a second probe opposite the first probe and adjacent the side wall, such that the weld is disposed between the two probes;
activating the first and second probes to determine an integrity of a volume of the weld between the probes; and
moving the first and second probes synchronously around the top plate to determine the integrity of an entire volume of the weld.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the base plate, side wall, and top plate form a hermetically sealed vessel.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the channel is approximately as deep as the bevel extends below the top surface.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the channel is deeper than the bevel extends below the top surface.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bevel is formed as one of a J-cut or a half V-cut.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first and second probes comprise ultrasound probes.
7. A method of storing radioactive materials, the method comprising:
placing radioactive materials in a cavity formed by a side wall having a bottom sealed to a base plate;
placing a top plate on a top opening of the side wall, the top plate including a top surface with a top edge having a bevel and with a channel set in from the top edge;
forming a weld between the beveled top edge and the top opening of the side wall to seal the top plate to the side wall, so that the cavity is sealed;
placing a first probe in the channel and a second probe opposite the first probe and adjacent the side wall, such that the weld is disposed between the two probes;
activating the first and second probes to determine an integrity of a volume of the weld between the probes; and
moving the first and second probes synchronously around the top plate to determine the integrity of an entire volume of the weld.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the channel is approximately as deep as the bevel extends below the top surface.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the channel is deeper than the bevel extends below the top surface.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the bevel is formed as one of a J-cut or a half V-cut.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the cavity is hermetically by the formed weld.