Systems and methods for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel, comprising:
- a canister having a first sidewall that has a first height, the canister being operative to contain spent nuclear fuel;
a transfer cask having a second sidewall that has a second height, the transfer cask being operative to contain the canister and to shield radioactivity of the spent nuclear fuel, the transfer cask that contains the canister being operative to hp placed in a spent fuel pool, the spent fuel pool having a depth that is at least twice the height of the canister and transfer cask; and
an immersion tank having a third sidewall that has a third height, the third height of the immersion tank having substantially the first height of the canister, the immersion tank being placed at a dry preparation area for draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the immersion tank being operative to receive the transfer cask and canister from the spent fuel pool and circulate fluid about the transfer cask and canister, thereby cooling and providing shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel during the process of draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the third sidewall of the immersion tank being spaced apart from the second sidewall of the transfer cask to permit convective flow of fluid within the immersion tank.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed are systems and methods for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel. In one embodiment, among others, the system comprises a transfer cask that contains spent nuclear fuel and shields radioactivity of the spent nuclear fuel, and an immersion tank that receives transfer casks within. The immersion tank has fluid that is circulated in the immersion tank, thereby cooling and providing shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel.
35 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel, comprising:
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a canister having a first sidewall that has a first height, the canister being operative to contain spent nuclear fuel; a transfer cask having a second sidewall that has a second height, the transfer cask being operative to contain the canister and to shield radioactivity of the spent nuclear fuel, the transfer cask that contains the canister being operative to hp placed in a spent fuel pool, the spent fuel pool having a depth that is at least twice the height of the canister and transfer cask; and an immersion tank having a third sidewall that has a third height, the third height of the immersion tank having substantially the first height of the canister, the immersion tank being placed at a dry preparation area for draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the immersion tank being operative to receive the transfer cask and canister from the spent fuel pool and circulate fluid about the transfer cask and canister, thereby cooling and providing shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel during the process of draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the third sidewall of the immersion tank being spaced apart from the second sidewall of the transfer cask to permit convective flow of fluid within the immersion tank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. A system for loading and transferring spent nuclear fuel, comprising:
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a transfer cask having a first sidewall that has a first height, the transfer cask being operative to contain spent nuclear fuel and to shield radioactivity of the spent nuclear fuel, the transfer cask that contains the canister being operative to be placed in a spent fuel pool, the spent fuel pool having a depth that is at least twice the height of the canister and transfer cask; an immersion tank having a second sidewall that has a second height, the second height of the immersion tank having substantially the first height of the transfer cask, the immersion tank being placed at a dry preparation area for draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the immersion tank being operative to receive the transfer cask and canister from the spent fuel pool and provide shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel during the process of draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, the second sidewall of the immersion tank being spaced apart from the second sidewall of the transfer cask to permit convective flow of fluid within the immersion tank; a pump operative to pump fluid into the immersion tank and circulate the fluid within the transfer cask and in the immersion tank in a closed loop; a heat exchanger operative to receive and cool the fluid before the fluid is pumped into the immersion tank; and a cleaning system operative to receive and cleans the fluid before the fluid is pumped into the immersion tank.
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21. An immersion tank that is placed at a dry preparation area for draining and drying the transfer cask and canister, comprising:
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a bottom wall; and a first sidewall that is attached to the bottom wall, the first sidewall having a first height, the first height of the immersion tank having substantially a second height of a second sidewall of a transfer cask, the transfer cask being operative to be placed in a spent fuel pool, the spent fuel pool having a depth that is at least twice the height of the canister and transfer cask, the first sidewall of the immersion tank being spaced apart from the second sidewall of the transfer cask to receive the transfer cask from the spent fuel pool, provide shielding for the received transfer cask containing the spent nuclear fuel, and permit convective flow of fluid within the immersion tank during the process of draining and drying the transfer cask and canister. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification