Abstract: A melt replenishment system for dendritic web growth having a pellet feed arrangement, which distributes equal amounts of feed material to a pair of feed tubes in communication with opposite ends of a crucible to maintain a melt pool at a constant level and a cover gas system, which keeps the feed tubes flowing and helps maintain thermal consistency within the melt.

Abstract: An improved closure for covering and sealing a radioactive waste cask of the type having an opening circumscribed by a ledge is disclosed herein. The closure generally comprises an inner lid having an outer edge circumscribed by a gasket which is seatable over the ledge which circumscribes the opening, and an outer lid which is securable around the cask opening by either a screw-type or a breech-lock mechanism. In either case, the outer lid may be rotated into locking engagement with the container without imparting rotational forces to the gasket of the inner lid, thereby protecting the gasket from unnecessary rubbing forces. If the breech-lock mechanism is used, inner and outer lids may be rotatably connected to one another by a minimum of three suspension pin assemblies equidistantly spaced around the edges of both.

Abstract: Cask-like steel container for one-site storage, later-shipment and permanent disposal of low-level-radiation nuclear waste material. Container has configuration of a hollow cylinder with heavy walls. Bottom portion of container is affixed to cylindrical sides with a double weld. Steel top member has an annular recess as does the top portion of the cylindrical sides, with hermetic, radiation-resistant gasket material included therebetween, and the container top and sides are bolted together. The top member has spaced heavy eyelet-like members affixed thereto for handling the container.