Abstract: A neutron absorbing apparatus, for insertion into a fuel cell storage system, includes a corner spine, a first all and a second wall, each wall being affixed to the corner spine to form a chevron shape. Each wall includes an absorption sheet affixed to the corner spine, each absorption sheet being formed of a metal matrix composite having neutron absorbing particulate reinforcement, and a guide sheet affixed to and covering a fractional upper portion of the absorption sheet and extending over a top of the absorption sheet. The absorption sheet extends along the corner spine a greater length than the guide sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus, which can be in the form of a fuel basket, fuel rack, or the like, in which hexagonal storage tubes are used not only for their internal cells but are also strategically patterned to create resultant cells with their outside surfaces. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus having flux traps surrounding each cell wherein the size of the flux traps decrease with distance from the center of the storage grid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a container holding radioactive materials. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus that includes a tubular shell constructed of a gamma radiation absorbing material and having an inner surface that forms a cavity having an axis, the cavity having an open top end and an open bottom end; a plurality of spacers extending from the inner surface of the shell toward the axis of the cavity, the spacers extending a first height from the inner surface of the tubular shell; and one or more flange members located at or near the open top end of the cavity extending from the tubular shell toward the axis of the cavity, the flange member extending a second height from the inner surface of the shell, the second height being greater than the first height.

Abstract: A canister apparatus, basket apparatus and combinations thereof for transporting and/or storing high level radioactive waste, such as spent nuclear fuel In one embodiment, the invention can be a basket apparatus for supporting a plurality of spent nuclear fuel rods within a containment structure, the basket apparatus comprising a plurality of disk-like grates, each disk-like grate, having a plurality of ceils formed by a gridwork of beams; and means for supporting the disk-like grates in a spaced arrangement with respect to one another and so that the cells of the disk-like grates are aligned.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for the transferring a container for receiving high level radioactive waste into and/or out of a pool. The instant invention utilizes a specially designed container in order to make effective use of a stand placed within the pool.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for the transferring a container for receiving high level radioactive waste into and/or out of a pool. The instant invention utilizes a specially designed container in order to make effective use of a stand placed within the pool.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a container holding radioactive materials. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus that includes a tubular shell constructed of a gamma radiation absorbing material and having an inner surface that forms a cavity having an axis, the cavity having an open top end and an open bottom end; a plurality of spacers extending from the inner surface of the shell toward the axis of the cavity, the spacers extending a first height from the inner surface of the tubular shell; and one or more flange members located at or near the open top end of the cavity extending from the tubular shell toward the axis of the cavity, the flange member extending a second height from the inner surface of the shell, the second height being greater than the first height.

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: A system, apparatus and method of processing and/or removing radioactive materials from a body of water that utilizes the buoyancy of the water itself to minimize the load experienced by a crane and/or other lifting equipment. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) submerging a container having a top, a bottom, and a cavity in a body of water having a surface level, the cavity filling with water; b) positioning radioactive material within the cavity of the submerged container; c) raising the submerged container until the top of the containment apparatus is above the surface level of the body of water while a major portion of the container remains below the surface level of the body of water; and d) removing bulk water from the cavity while the top of the container remains above the surface level of the body of water and a portion of the container remains submerged.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is a jacket apparatus that is filled with a neutron absorbing fluid and adapted to facilitate a cyclical thermosiphon flow of the neutron absorbing fluid within the jacket when the neutron absorbing fluid is subjected to heat emanating from the cavity. In other aspects, the invention can be a method and container incorporating and/or using the same.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a ventilated cask for holding high level radioactive materials. The invention utilizes a tubular shell that is ancillary to the ventilated cask that circumscribes the ventilated cask to add radiation shielding protection while improving heat removal by natural convective air flow. Because the tubular shell and cask are non-unitary and slidably separable from one another, crane lifting capacity is not affected.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for the transferring a container for receiving high level radioactive waste into and/or out of a pool. The instant invention utilizes a specially designed container in order to make effective use of a stand placed within the pool.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is a jacket apparatus that is filled with a neutron absorbing fluid and adapted to facilitate a cyclical thermosiphon flow of the neutron absorbing fluid within the jacket when the neutron absorbing fluid is subjected to heat emanating from the cavity. In other aspects, the invention can be a method and container incorporating and/or using the same.

Abstract: Apparatus for supporting radioactive fuel assemblies, such as spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus, which can be in the form of a fuel basket, fuel rack, or the like, in which hexagonal storage tubes are used not only for their internal cells but are also strategically patterned to create resultant cells with their outside surfaces. In another aspect, the invention is an apparatus having flux traps surrounding each cell wherein the size of the flux traps decrease with distance from the center of the storage grid.

Abstract: A system for receiving and storing high level radioactive waste comprising: an enclosure comprising walls having inlet ventilation ducts, a roof comprising an array of holes, and a floor; an array of metal shells located in an internal space of the enclosure, the array of metal shells being co-axial with the array of holes in the roof so that containers holding high level radioactive waste can be lowered through the array of holes in the roof and into the array of metal shells; the array of metal shells acting as load bearing columns for the roof; and each of the metal shells comprising (i) an expansion joint for accommodating thermal expansion and/or contraction of the metal shells; and (ii) one or more holes at a bottom portion of the metal shell.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method of processing and/or removing radioactive materials from a body of water that utilizes the buoyancy of the water itself to minimize the load experienced by a crane and/or other lifting equipment. In one aspect, the invention is a method comprising: a) submerging a container having a top, a bottom, and a cavity in a body of water having a surface level, the cavity filling with water; b) positioning radioactive material within the cavity of the submerged container; c) raising the submerged container until the top of the containment apparatus is above the surface level of the body of water while a major portion of the container remains below the surface level of the body of water; and d) removing bulk water from the cavity while the top of the container remains above the surface level of the body of water and a portion of the container remains submerged.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for the transferring a container for receiving high level radioactive waste into and/or out of a pool. The instant invention utilizes a specially designed container in order to make effective use of a stand placed within the pool.

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: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transferring spent nuclear fuel within a nuclear power plant. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for transferring a cask from a first position to a second position comprising: a first beam having a first proximal end and a first distal end, said first proximal end adapted for pivotal connection to a base; a second beam having a second proximal end and a second distal end, said second proximal end adapted for pivotal connection to said base; a member connecting said first distal end and said second distal end, said member comprising a lifting device adapted to raise and lower said cask; wherein said member, said first pivot beam, and said second pivot beam form a unitary structure; and means to rotate said unitary structure about an axis. In another aspect, the invention is a method of using the apparatus to transfer a cask.