Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; and a source of non-reactive gas. The system further flows the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and repetitively measures the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with HLW comprising: a canister forming the cavity, the cavity having an inlet and an outlet; a source of non-reactive gas; means for flowing the non-reactive gas from the source of non-reactive gas through the cavity; and means for repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is a specially designed ring-like structure for providing neutron and gamma radiation shielding for high level radioactive materials that produce residual heat. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus for storing radioactive waste comprising a plurality of the ring-like structures arranged in a stacked assembly that completely surrounds an internal containment boundary. Collars can be provided at the ring-to-ring interfaces. The ring-like structures can have specially geometrically designed and/or arranged voids for receiving neutron absorbing materials that completely surrounds the containment boundary with the neutron shielding material.

Abstract: A canister apparatus, basket apparatus and combinations thereof for transporting and/or storing high level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel. The canister apparatus comprises a cavity for receiving the spent nuclear fuel that is surrounded by two independent gas-tight containment boundaries. The structures that form the two independent gas-tight containment boundaries are in substantially continuous surface contact with one another, thereby facilitating sufficient heat removal from the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a basket apparatus having a plurality of disk-like grates arranged in a stacked and spaced arrangement so that the cells of the disk-like grates are aligned. In still another aspect, the invention can be a basket apparatus having a disk-like grate having a ring-like structure encompassing a gridwork of beams specially arranged to achieve a unique cell configuration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system of preparing a canister having a cavity loaded with wet radioactive elements for dry storage, the method comprising: (a) providing a gas circulation system comprising means for removing moisture from gas; (b) connecting the gas circulation system to the canister so as to form a hermetically sealed closed-loop path that includes the cavity; and (c) circulating a non-reactive gas through the hermetically sealed closed-loop path until a desired vapor pressure is achieved in the cavity of the canister, the circulating non-reactive gas becoming wetted as the non-reactive gas flows through the canister and dried as the non-reactive gas flows through the moisture removal means.

Abstract: A fuel basket apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus suitable for transporting and/or storing spent nuclear fuel rods comprising: a basket formed from a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in a rectilinear configuration, the gridwork of plates forming a plurality of cells for receiving spent nuclear fuel rods; the basket comprising one or more flux traps that regulate production of neutron radiation; and wherein the plates are constructed of a metal matrix composite material.

Abstract: A fuel basket spacer, and system and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste.

Abstract: A transfer cask for maximizing the radiation shielding for spent nuclear fuel during cask transfer procedures has a cylindrical inner shell forming a cavity within which a spent nuclear fuel canister can be placed; a cylindrical outer shell concentric with and surrounding the inner shell to form an annulus with the inner shell, the annulus adapted for receiving gamma absorbing material; a jacket shell concentric with and surrounding the second shell to form a jacket for holding a neutron absorbing liquid; the jacket shell having filling and drainage systems; and a removable bottom lid so that a canister can be lowered from the cavity into a transport cask or permanent storage cask.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for ensuring that cavities used to store radioactive elements are adequately dried without intrusive measuring. In one aspect the invention is a system for drying a cavity loaded with radioactive elements, the loaded cavity having a free volume (VF), a starting vapor pressure (vPS), and a cavity pressure (PC), the system comprising: a non-reactive gas source adapted to supply a non-reactive gas to the system; means to cool a non-reactive gas to a temperature (TC) thereby drying the non-reactive gas; means to flow the dry non-reactive gas to the cavity, the flow means adapted to introduce the dry non-reactive gas to the cavity at a flow rate R for a period of time (t); and means to remove wet non-reactive gas from the cavity; wherein the non-reactive gas source, the cooling means, the flow means, the removal means, and the cavity are fluidly coupled; wherein TC and R are controlled to achieve a desired vapor pressure (vPD) in the cavity in time t.

Abstract: A system and method for drying cavities loaded with high level waste (“HLW”) is devised. The invention utilizes a non-intrusive procedure that is based on monitoring the dew point temperature of a non-reactive gas that is circulated through the cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) flowing a non-reactive gas through the cavity; b) repetitively measuring the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity; and c) upon the dew point temperature of the non-reactive gas exiting the cavity reaching and remaining below a predetermined dew point temperature for a predetermined time, discontinuing the flow of the non-reactive gas and sealing the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a system designed to carry out the method.

Abstract: A system and method for storing multiple canisters containing high level waste below grade that afford adequate ventilation of the spent fuel storage cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: an air-intake shell forming a substantially vertical air-intake cavity; a plurality of storage shells, each storage shell forming a substantially vertical storage cavity; a hermetically sealed canister for holding high level waste positioned in one or more of the storage cavities so that a gap exists between the storage shell and the canister, the horizontal cross-section of each of the storage cavities accommodating no more than one canister; a removable lid positioned atop each of the storage shells so as to form a lid-to-shell interface, each lid containing an outlet vent forming passageways between an ambient environment and the storage cavity; and a network of pipes forming a passageway between a bottom portion of the intake cavity and a bottom portion of each of the storage cavities.

Abstract: A system and method for storing high level waste. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: an inner shell forming a cavity for receiving high level waste, the cavity having a top and a bottom; an outer shell surrounding the inner shell so as to form a space between the inner shell and the outer shell; at least one opening in the inner shell at or near the bottom of the cavity, the at least one opening forming a passageway from the space into the cavity; a lid positioned atop the inner and outer shells, the lid having at least one inlet vent forming a passageway from an ambient atmosphere to the space and at least one outlet vent forming a passageway from the cavity to the ambient atmosphere. In another aspect, the invention is a method of using the system to store high level waste. In yet another aspect, the invention does not require the aforementioned lid but further comprises a floor plate wherein the inner and outer shells rest atop and are connected to the floor plate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for ensuring that cavities used to store radioactive elements are adequately dried without intrusive measuring. In one aspect the invention is a method of drying a cavity loaded with radioactive elements, the loaded cavity having a free volume (VF), a starting vapor pressure (vPS), and a cavity pressure (PC), the method comprising: determining a desired degree of dryness in the cavity in terms of a desired vapor pressure (vPD); cooling a non-reactive gas to a temperature (TC) thereby drying the non-reactive gas; introducing the dry non-reactive gas into the cavity so that the free volume VF of the cavity turns over X times; and removing wet non-reactive gas from the cavity; wherein TC and X are controlled to achieve the desired vapor pressure (vPD) in the cavity. Alternatively, a flow rate (R) can be controlled over time (t) instead of controlling X.

Abstract: A system and method for storing spent nuclear fuel below grade that affords adequate ventilation of the spent fuel storage cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a body having a cavity for receiving and storing a spent fuel canister, a major portion of the body positioned below grade; the body having at least one inlet ventilation duct extending from an above grade inlet to a below grade outlet in the cavity. The inlet ventilation duct can be a en elongated substantially S-shape extending from a side wall of the body to the bottom of the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a method of storing a spent fuel canister using the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing spent nuclear fuel below grade that afford adequate ventilation of the spent fuel storage cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a shell forming a cavity for receiving a canister of spent nuclear fuel, at least a portion of the shell positioned below grade; and at least one inlet ventilation duct extending from an above grade inlet to a below grade outlet at or near a bottom of the cavity; the inlet ventilation duct connected to the shell so that the cavity is hermetically sealed to ingress of below grade fluids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing spent nuclear fuel below grade that affords adequate ventilation of the spent fuel storage cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system for storing spent nuclear fuel having a low heat load comprising: a structure forming a cavity for receiving a canister of spent nuclear fuel, at least a portion of the cavity being below grade; and at least one ventilation duct forming a passageway from at or near the top of the cavity to an ambient atmosphere; wherein the cavity is hermetically sealed to ingress of below grade fluids. In another aspect, the invention is a method of storing a spent nuclear fuel having a low heat load in the system. Preferably, the cavity extends sufficiently below grade so that the entire canister is below grade during storage.

Abstract: A system and method for storing spent nuclear fuel below grade that affords adequate ventilation of the spent fuel storage cavity. In one aspect, the invention is a system comprising: a body having a cavity for receiving and storing a spent fuel canister, a major portion of the body positioned below grade; the body having at least one inlet ventilation duct extending from an above grade inlet to a below grade outlet in the cavity. The inlet ventilation duct can be a en elongated substantially S-shape extending from a side wall of the body to the bottom of the cavity. In another aspect, the invention is a method of storing a spent fuel canister using the system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for ensuring that cavities used to store radioactive elements are adequately dried without intrusive measuring. In one aspect the invention is a method of drying a cavity loaded with radioactive elements, the loaded cavity having a free volume (VF), a starting vapor pressure (vPS), and a cavity pressure (PC), the method comprising: determining a desired degree of dryness in the cavity in terms of a desired vapor pressure (vPD); cooling a non-reactive gas to a temperature (TC) thereby drying the non-reactive gas; introducing the dry non-reactive gas into the cavity so that the free volume VF of the cavity turns over X times; and removing wet non-reactive gas from the cavity; wherein TC and X are controlled to achieve the desired vapor pressure (vPD) in the cavity. Alternatively, a flow rate (R) can be controlled over time (t) instead of controlling X.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel from a transfer cask to a receiving cask. In one aspect, the system comprises a below grade opening adapted for receiving a cask; a platform positioned within the opening, the platform capable of vertical movement; and at least two jacks for vertically moving the platform; wherein the platform is capable of lowering the cask within the opening. In another aspect, the invention is a method of transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel to a cask comprising the steps of: lowering a receiving cask having a height into a below grade opening so that a portion of the receiving cask's height is below grade level; and transferring the canister to the receiving cask.