Abstract: A panel filter for filtering waste media comprises at least two stacked filtering medium sheets. Each sheet is shaped to have two substantially identically-shaped portions integrally interconnected along an intermediate portion thereof. The stack of filtering medium sheets is folded over upon itself along the intermediate portions of the filtering medium sheets to create an inner central cavity of said stack and mating marginal edges that are secured and sealed together to form an outlet opening at a point along the marginal edges. A filtration conduit is received in the outlet opening of the panel filter and communicates with the inner central cavity of the panel filter.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cask (10) for transport and short-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The cask 10 includes a structural shell (14) defining a cavity (40) for receiving spent nuclear fuel. The shell is formed from an upper shell portion (16) formed of a first metal and a lower shell portion (18) formed from a second metal. The first metal utilized to form the upper shell portion has a higher load bearing strength than the second metal utilized to form the lower shell portion. A bearing surface is defined on the upper shell portion by trunnions (30) mounted within sleeves (32) secured to the upper shell portion. The trunnions (30) each define a bearing projection (160) that is engageable to enable hoisting of the cask, with the tensile and shear loads of hoisting the cask being transferred from the trunnions to the trunnion mounting sleeves, and thus to the upper shell portion of the structural shell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cask (10) for transport and short-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The cask 10 includes a structural shell (14) defining a cavity (40) for receiving spent nuclear fuel. The shell is formed from an upper shell portion (16) formed of a first metal and a lower shell portion (18) formed from a second metal. The first metal utilized to form the upper shell portion has a higher load bearing strength than the second metal utilized to form the lower shell portion. A bearing surface is defined on the upper shell portion by trunnions (30) mounted within sleeves (32) secured to the upper shell portion. The trunnions (30) each define a bearing projection (160) that is engageable to enable hoisting of the cask, with the tensile and shear loads of hoisting the cask being transferred from the trunnions to the trunnion mounting sleeves, and thus to the upper shell portion of the structural shell.

Abstract: A skid for transporting a nuclear fuel transportation cask. The skid comprises a supporting member having parallel spaced-apart plates. The plates are aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cask, include a semi-circular trough for mating with the cask, and are connected by longitudinal fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cask. The skid also comprises a retaining member including parallel spaced-apart plates. The plates of the retaining member are aligned perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cask, include a trough for mating with the cask, and are connected by longitudinal fins parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cask. The fins of the supporting member are spaced apart such that when the cask rests in the trough of the supporting member, the fins of the supporting member are aligned with elongate members of the cask neutron radiation shielding material to transfer the load between the cask and the skid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cask (10) for transport and short-term storage of spent nuclear fuel. The cask 10 includes a structural shell (14) defining a cavity (40) for receiving spent nuclear fuel. The shell is formed from an upper shell portion (16) formed of a first metal-and a lower shell portion (18) formed from a second metal. The first metal utilized to form the upper shell portion has a higher load bearing strength than the second metal utilized to form the lower shell portion. A bearing surface is defined on the upper shell portion by trunnions (30) mounted within sleeves (32) secured to the upper shell portion. The trunnions (30) each define a bearing projection (160) that is engageable to enable hoisting of the cask, with the tensile and shear loads of hoisting the cask being transferred from the trunnions to the trunnion mounting sleeves, and thus to the upper shell portion of the structural shell.

Abstract: Impact limiters having noncircular outer peripheries are described for use to protect nuclear fuel transportation casks. The impact limiters include two different materials as impact absorbing materials. The impact limiter includes multiple sides and a tapered cap.

Abstract: In combination with a nuclear power generating facility including a composite fuel pool including a reactor cavity and a spent fuel pool fluidly connectable to the reactor cavity, the composite fuel pool at least partially containing a primary fluid, a nuclear reactor vessel positioned in the reactor cavity, a residual heat removal system installed in the facility and fluidly connectable to the reactor vessel, and a spent fuel pool cooling system installed in the facility and fluidly connectable to the spent fuel pool, a temporary cooling system is provided, comprising a primary heat exchange system including a primary heat exchanger for transferring heat from a primary fluid to a secondary cooling fluid. The primary heat exchanger is temporarily locatable in the facility, and is temporarily fluidly connected to the composite fuel pool.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the disposal of low-level radioactive wastes are disclosed. Under the disclosed method, the waste is first introduced into a preconstructed multipurpose container which comprises a polyethylene inner container disposed within an outer concrete shell. Processing of the waste is carried out within the multipurpose container. The filled container is then transported to a disposal site, followed by storage of the waste at the storage disposal site.The claimed apparatus comprises an empty multipurpose storage container for use in the method. The multipurpose container is adapted for receiving and storing low-level radioactive waste, and comprises a polyethylene inner container disposed within an outer concrete shell.

Abstract: The disclosure of the invention is directed to a site survey ground vehicle based apparatus and method for automatically detecting source materials, such as radioactivity, marking the location of the source materials, such as with paint, and mapping the location of the source materials on a site. The apparatus of the invention is also useful for collecting and analyzing samples. The apparatus includes a ground vehicle, detectors mounted at the front of the ground vehicle, and individual detector supports which follow somewhat irregular terrain to allow consistent and accurate detection, and autolocation equipment.

Abstract: In a cask (10) for the transportation and storage of radioactive materials, an improvement in the shielding means (14) which achieves significant savings in weight and increases in payload by the use of pipes of depleted uranium, tungsten or other dense metal, encapsulating polyethylene cores (20a), dispersed in two to four rows of concentric bore holes (20, 21, 22, 23 or 24) around the periphery of the cask body (11) which is preferably made of ductile iron. Alternatively, rods or small balls of these same shielding materials (21a, 22a, 23a and 24a), alone or in combination, are placed in these bore holes. The thickness, number and arrangement of these shielding pipes (20a) or rods (21a, 22a, 23a or 24a) is varied to provide optimum protection against the neutrons and gamma radiation emitted by the particular radioactive material being transported or stored.

Abstract: Firm gel structures are formed from hot aqueous radioactive waste solutions containing boric acid by adding powdered magnesium oxide or magnesium hydroxide followed by addition of calcium oxide or calcium hydroxide. Cement may be introduced after addition of the magnesium compound without interfering with subsequent gel reactions. Product rigidity imparted by the gel enables reduction of typical cement usage up to 50% or more in the processing of radioactive boric acid concentrates. This results in more waste being solidified per container, less exothermic heat generation, greater shipping efficiency, and improved resistance to aqueous leaching of radionuclides.

Abstract: Using a buffered acid catalyst, a cross-linked urea-formaldehyde polymer matrix is formed by catalyzing an aqueous mixture of an urea-formaldehyde concentrate, urea-formaldehyde resin, and powdered urea. The resulting thermoset polymer which possesses, in part, a cyclic structure, is of unusual hardness and has utility, with or without fillers, as a molding or casting material possessing controllable shrinkage characteristics because of uniform molecular structure and formula versatility. The catalyst system may be used for the polymerization or cure of other urea-formaldehyde or polymeric condensation systems.

Abstract: A cross-linked urea-formaldehyde polymer matrix is formed by catalyzing, using a buffered acid as the catalyst, an aqueous mixture of a urea-formaldehyde concentrate, urea-formaldehyde resin, and powdered urea. The resulting thermoset polymer which possesses, in part, a cyclic structure, is of unusual hardness and has utility, with or without fillers, as a molding or casting material possessing controllable shrinkage characteristics because of uniform molecular structure and formula versatility.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the peak load demand of a home or business establishment by preventing the simultaneous application of electrical power to first and second electrical loads is disclosed. The apparatus includes first and second sensing means (16, 18), one each of which monitors each of the first and second electrical loads (12, 14) respectively for determining when the first and second electrical loads (12, 14) are demanding electrical power. The sensing means (16, 18) then provide sensing signals to a combining means (24) which receives the sensing signals, or representations of these sensing signals. Combining means (24) provides a timer start signal to timer (28) when the sensing signals or representations of these sensing signals are present at combining means (24).

Abstract: Electronic circuitry monitors the electrical energy consumption of a system and displays the current cost of the energy usage. The projected monthly billing cost is calculated at the current rate of consumption, and an alarm signal and control output are generated if the projected cost is higher than a budget amount. Energy consumption is sensed optically at the electric meter and a proportional number of high frequency pulses are added to the household electrical network. These pulses are remotely sensed at any point within the household electrical network and are fed to a microprocessor for counting and conversion to cost parameters. Clock pulses are also directed to the microprocessor for calculating the billing period and for displaying time parameters. A keyboard enables initializing and modifying the cost and time parameters in the microprocessor.

Abstract: A programmable thermostatic control device for controlling the temperature within a preselected zone of an enclosed environment. The device can be readily installed and utilizes an interface unit through which the heating, ventilation and cooling system of a building and/or residence are connected to the device outputs. An operator is guided through the programming of the device by cueing or prompting lights which sequentially indicate the information to be entered on the keypad. The device is processor-based and controls the heating and cooling systems to maintain a preselected temperature range, and to establish a preselected temperature within the controlled zone at a predetermined time. The temperature within the control zone is established and/or maintained with maximum efficiency by controlling the stage and duration of energization of the heating and air conditioning units.