METHOD OF STORING HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE

• US 20140192946A1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Krishna P. Singh
• Original Assignee: Holtec International, Inc.
• Inventors: Singh, Krishna P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,443,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 376/272
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 53/02 Collars or rings
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/008 Containers for fuel elements
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/10 Heat-removal systems, e.g. using circulating fluid or cooling fins
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/12 Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 7/015 Room atmosphere, temperature or pressure control devices

Abstract

Method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one embodiment, the invention comprises: (a) providing a body portion comprising a floor, an open top end, an inner shell forming a cavity having, an outer shell surrounding the inner shell so as to form a space therebetween, and at least one opening in the inner shell that forms a passageway from the space into a bottom of the cavity; (b) placing a canister containing high level radioactive waste into the cavity; and (c) positioning a lid having at least one outlet vent atop the inner and outer shells so as to enclose the open top end of the body portion and the at least one outlet vent forming a passageway from a top of the cavity to the ambient atmosphere; and wherein at least one inlet vent forms a passageway from an ambient atmosphere to the space.

Claims

1. A method of storing high level radioactive waste comprising:

(a) providing a body portion comprising a floor, an open top end, an inner shell extending upward from the floor and forming a cavity, an outer shell extending upward from the floor and surrounding the inner shell so as to form a space therebetween, and at least one opening in the inner shell that forms a passageway from a bottom of the space into a bottom of the cavity;

(b) placing a canister containing high level radioactive waste into the cavity; and

(c) positioning a lid having at least one outlet vent atop the inner and outer shells so as to enclose the open top end of the body portion and the at least one outlet vent forms a passageway from a top of the cavity to the ambient atmosphere; and

wherein at least one inlet vent forms a passageway from an ambient atmosphere to a top of the space to facilitate natural convective cooling of the canister containing high level radioactive waste.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the space is an annular space that circumferentially surrounds the inner shell.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the canister is a hermetically sealed multi-purpose canister.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the cavity has as horizontal cross-sect on that accommodates no more than one canister.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises positioning, the container so that at least a major portion of a height of the inner and outer sells are below grade, and wherein step (b) comprises lowering the canister containing high level waste into the cavity until the entire canister is below grade.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein step b) comprises positioning a transfer cask containing the canister above the container, and lowering canister from the transfer cask into the cavity.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein step a) further comprises providing a concrete pad around a portion of the outer shell that protrudes above grade.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises the at least one inlet vent.