Abstract: An entrainment-reducing assembly may include a container configured to hold a liquid. A venting arrangement may extend into an upper portion of the container and be configured to direct condensable and non-condensable gases into the container. A suction structure may extend into a lower portion of the container and be configured to carry out an extraction of excess liquid from the container caused by condensed gases. A deflector may be disposed between the suction structure and the venting arrangement within the container. As a result, an entrainment of uncondensed gases during the extraction of the liquid by the suction structure may be reduced or prevented, thereby protecting the pump from cavitation and failure.

Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A cooling system for spent nuclear fuel may include a device configured to generate electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel. The cooling system may be configured to use the electricity when cooling the spent nuclear fuel. A cask for storage, transport, or storage and transport of spent nuclear fuel may include the cooling system and a container configured to hold the spent nuclear fuel. A method for cooling spent nuclear fuel may include generating electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel, and using the electricity in a cooling system for the spent nuclear fuel when cooling the spent nuclear fuel.

Abstract: An entrainment-reducing assembly may include a container configured to hold a liquid. A venting arrangement may extend into an upper portion of the container and be configured to direct condensable and non-condensable gases into the container. A suction structure may extend into a lower portion of the container and be configured to carry out an extraction of excess liquid from the container caused by condensed gases. A deflector may be disposed between the suction structure and the venting arrangement within the container. As a result, an entrainment of uncondensed gases during the extraction of the liquid by the suction structure may be reduced or prevented, thereby protecting the pump from cavitation and failure.

Abstract: A method for suppressing a pyrophoric metal fire may include arranging a suppression system above a containment structure. The suppression system includes a first extinguishing agent. The containment structure is configured to contain and isolate a pyrophoric metal from ambient air. The suppression system is configured to activate upon a leak and ignition of the pyrophoric metal so as to release the first extinguishing agent to suppress the pyrophoric metal fire.

Abstract: An entrainment-reducing assembly may include a container configured to hold a liquid. A venting arrangement may extend into an upper portion of the container and be configured to direct condensable and non-condensable gases into the container. A suction structure may extend into a lower portion of the container and be configured to carry out an extraction of excess liquid from the container caused by condensed gases. A deflector may be disposed between the suction structure and the venting arrangement within the container. As a result, an entrainment of uncondensed gases during the extraction of the liquid by the suction structure may be reduced or prevented, thereby protecting the pump from cavitation and failure.

Abstract: A passive fire response system is configured to suppress a metallic fire. The system includes a reservoir containing an ionic liquid, at least one outlet in communication with the reservoir, a valve arranged between the reservoir and the outlet, a sensor configured to sense at least one of a hydrogen concentration and a temperature and/or heat, and a controller configured to open the valve and release the ionic liquid if an output from the sensor indicates that the at least one of the hydrogen concentration and the temperature equals or exceeds at least one of a threshold hydrogen concentration and a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A method for suppressing a pyrophoric metal fire may include arranging a suppression system above a containment structure. The suppression system includes a first extinguishing agent. The containment structure is configured to contain and isolate a pyrophoric metal from ambient air. The suppression system is configured to activate upon a leak and ignition of the pyrophoric metal so as to release the first extinguishing agent to suppress the pyrophoric metal fire.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a fuel containing a reactive sodium metal may include puncturing a cladding of a fuel pin enclosing the fuel containing the reactive sodium metal to form an injection passage and an extraction passage. A reaction gas may be injected into the fuel pin through the injection passage to react with the reactive sodium metal to form a stable sodium compound. A ratio of a product gas and a remaining quantity of the reaction gas exiting the fuel pin through the extraction passage is subsequently measured, wherein the product gas is a reaction product of the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal within the fuel pin. Once the measured ratio indicates that a reaction between the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal is complete, the injection passage and the extraction passage are sealed so as to confine the stable sodium compound within the fuel pin.

Abstract: A method of stabilizing a fuel containing a reactive sodium metal may include puncturing a cladding of a fuel pin enclosing the fuel containing the reactive sodium metal to form an injection passage and an extraction passage. A reaction gas may be injected into the fuel pin through the injection passage to react with the reactive sodium metal to form a stable sodium compound. A ratio of a product gas and a remaining quantity of the reaction gas exiting the fuel pin through the extraction passage is subsequently measured, wherein the product gas is a reaction product of the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal within the fuel pin. Once the measured ratio indicates that a reaction between the reaction gas and the reactive sodium metal is complete, the injection passage and the extraction passage are sealed so as to confine the stable sodium compound within the fuel pin.

Abstract: An entrainment-reducing assembly may include a container configured to hold a liquid. A venting arrangement may extend into an upper portion of the container and be configured to direct condensable and non-condensable gases into the container. A suction structure may extend into a lower portion of the container and be configured to carry out an extraction of excess liquid from the container caused by condensed gases. A deflector may be disposed between the suction structure and the venting arrangement within the container. As a result, an entrainment of uncondensed gases during the extraction of the liquid by the suction structure may be reduced or prevented, thereby protecting the pump from cavitation and failure.

Abstract: A cooling system for spent nuclear fuel may include a device configured to generate electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel. The cooling system may be configured to use the electricity when cooling the spent nuclear fuel. A cask for storage, transport, or storage and transport of spent nuclear fuel may include the cooling system and a container configured to hold the spent nuclear fuel. A method for cooling spent nuclear fuel may include generating electricity using energy emitted from the spent nuclear fuel, and using the electricity in a cooling system for the spent nuclear fuel when cooling the spent nuclear fuel.