Abstract: It is common to store decayed radioactive waste in waste packages, lowered into vertical concrete cylindrical storage containers called tile holes. These containers of these packages decay over time and may become fragile, making it difficult to remove them using conventional methods. A retrieval tool has been developed, comprising a cylinder that fits between the tile hole internal diameter and the outside diameter of the waste package inside the tile hole. Inflatable air wedges are equally spaced inside the cylinder. The air wedges are inflated to a low pressure (2.1 psig) to provide uniform grip to the outside of the packages, minimizing the risk of damage to the decayed containers. A back-up system uses horizontal safety bars at the bottom of the cylinder, which may be rotated to form a partial platform under the waste package, preventing the package from falling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for mitigating emissions of a hazardous gas flowing between first and second regions. A body of the apparatus includes at least one inlet, at least one outlet spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and a channel connecting the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet in fluid communication. Treatment material housed in at least a portion of the channel is adapted to treat the hazardous gas to form a conditioned gas. In use, the hazardous gas being emitted from the first region is received at the at least one inlet, and the conditioned gas is discharged to the second region at the at least one outlet. The apparatus may be used in combination with a storage container housing radioactive or other toxic waste.

Abstract: It is common to store decayed radioactive waste in waste packages, lowered into vertical concrete cylindrical storage containers called tile holes. These containers of these packages decay over time and may become fragile, making it difficult to remove them using conventional methods. A retrieval tool has been developed, comprising a cylinder that fits between the tile hole internal diameter and the outside diameter of the waste package inside the tile hole. Inflatable air wedges are equally spaced inside the cylinder. The air wedges are inflated to a low pressure (2.1 psig) to provide uniform grip to the outside of the packages, minimizing the risk of damage to the decayed containers. A back-up system uses horizontal safety bars at the bottom of the cylinder, which may be rotated to form a partial platform under the waste package, preventing the package from falling in the event of a failure.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for mitigating emissions of a hazardous gas flowing between first and second regions. A body of the apparatus includes at least one inlet, at least one outlet spaced apart from the at least one inlet, and a channel connecting the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet in fluid communication. Treatment material housed in at least a portion of the channel is adapted to treat the hazardous gas to form a conditioned gas. In use, the hazardous gas being emitted from the first region is received at the at least one inlet, and the conditioned gas is discharged to the second region at the at least one outlet. The apparatus may be used in combination with a storage container housing radioactive or other toxic waste.

Abstract: It is common to store decayed radioactive waste in waste packages, lowered into vertical concrete cylindrical storage containers called tile holes. These containers of these packages decay over time and may become fragile, making it difficult to remove them using conventional methods. A retrieval tool has been developed, comprising a cylinder that fits between the tile hole internal diameter and the outside diameter of the waste package inside the tile hole. Inflatable air wedges are equally spaced inside the cylinder. The air wedges are inflated to a low pressure (2.1 psig) to provide uniform grip to the outside of the packages, minimizing the risk of damage to the decayed containers. A back-up system uses horizontal safety bars at the bottom of the cylinder, which may be rotated to form a partial platform under the waste package, preventing the package from falling in the event of a failure.