A system, method and apparatus for providing additional radiation shielding to a container holding radioactive materials. The invention utilizes a sleeve-like structure that is slid over a container holding high level radioactive materials to add radiation shielding protection. Because the sleeve-like structure and container are non-unitary and slidably separable from one another, crane lifting capacity is not affected. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus comprising: 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.
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.
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. In another 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 being formed by a plurality of segments arranged in a stacked assembly; each segment comprising a honeycomb-like gridwork of plates arranged in the rectilinear configuration, wherein each segment comprises a plurality of top and bottom slots arranged so that when the segments are arranged in the stacked assembly, the top slots of each segment intersect with the bottom slots of the adjacent segment; and wherein the entire basket is formed of plates having no more than three different configurations.
A fuel basket spacer, and system and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is an apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials having a residual heat load comprising: a body having an inner surface that forms a cavity for receiving radioactive materials, the body providing gamma and neutron radiation shielding, the cavity having an open top end and a closed bottom end, the cavity having a horizontal cross-sectional profile having a perimeter formed by the inner surface; a basket positioned in the cavity, the basket comprising a plurality of cells, the basket having a horizontal cross-sectional profile having an external perimeter formed by an outer surface of the basket; and a structure having an outer surface and an inner surface forming a central passageway, the structure having a horizontal cross-sectional profile having an internal perimeter formed by the inner surface of the structure and an external perimeter formed by the outer surface of the structure; the structure positioned in the cavity so that the basket extends through the central passageway of the structure; and wherein the internal perimeter of the structure corresponds to the external perimeter of the basket in size and shape and the external perimeter of the structure corresponds to the perimeter of the cavity in size and shape.
An apparatus, system, and method of storing and transferring a canister of spent nuclear fuel. In one aspect, the apparatus is a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts. In one aspect, the system comprises: a lid for a ventilated vertical overpack having a chamber for receiving spent nuclear fuel, the lid having ventilation ducts; and a ventilated vertical overpack having a cylindrical body including lower ventilation ducts, a bottom, and a chamber formed by the body and the bottom adapted for receiving a canister of spent nuclear fuel.