Apparatus and method for monitoring stored material

• US 4,521,372 A
• Filed: 08/26/1981
• Issued: 06/04/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nuclear Monitoring Systems & Management Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nuclear Monitoring Systems & Management Corporation
• Inventors: Price, William E., Lewis, Donald R., Galloway, Louie A. III, Lowrey, Charles B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cangialosi, Sal
• Application Number:
  US06/296,429
• Time in Patent Office: 1,378 Days
• Field of Search: 376/250, 376/253, 376/272, 376/251, 250/506, 250/507, 250/507.1
• US Class Current: 376/250
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 3/226 for containers, e.g. radiators
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/008 Containers for fuel elements
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 9/36 by packaging; by baling

Abstract

An apparatus and method for monitoring stored material is disclosed. Material to be stored and monitored is placed within the innermost container of a series of nested containers and monitoring fluids are circulated in a closed loop of fluid flow through the spaces between the nested containers. Monitoring devices are used to analyze said monitoring fluids to detect leakage of the stored material from the innermost nested container and to detect the migration of external fluids into the series of nested containers. A computer based monitoring system continually checks the values of various parameters of the monitoring fluids to immediately detect and report the presence of stored material or external fluid in the monitoring fluids. The stored material may then be immediately retrieved from storage to repair leaks in the series of nested containers. The invention is particularly suited for monitoring the storage of hazardous material such as radioactive waste material.

Claims

1. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a radiation monitoring fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said radiation monitoring fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said radiation monitoring fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a volume measuring unit located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow;

a flowmeter located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in the radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for determining when said volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for determining when said flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

3. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 having

means for cooling said radiation monitoring fluid as said radiation monitoring fluid flows through said closed loop of fluid flow;

and

a temperature measuring device in thermal contact with said radiation monitoring fluid contained within said closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for determining when said temperature measuring device measures a temperature of said radiation monitoring fluid that is not within a predetermined range of temperatures.

2. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a radiation monitoring fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said radiation monitoring fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said radiation monitoring fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a volume measuring unit located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow;

a flowmeter located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a computer having at least one first input line connected to said radiation detector for transmitting a first signal to said computer when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container, said computer having means for monitoring said first input line to detect said first signal and having means to indicate that said computer has detected said first signal on said first input line; and

said computer having at least one second input line connected to said volume measuring unit for transmitting a second signal to said computer when said volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes, said computer having means for monitoring said second input line to detect said second signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said second signal on said second input line; and

said computer having at least one third input line connected to said flowmeter for transmitting a third signal to said computer when said flowmeter detects a rate of flow PG,45 of said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow, said computer having means for monitoring said third input line to detect said third signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said third signal on said third input line; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

4. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said volume of said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

5. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a volume measuring unit located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said first fluid in said cloxsed loop of fluid flow;

a flowmeter located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a computer having at least one first input line connected to said detector for detecting said second fluid for transmitting a first signal to said computer when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container, said computer having means for monitoring said first input line to detect said first signal and having means to indicate that said computer has detected said first signal on said first input line; and

said computer having at least one second input line connected to said volume measuring unit for transmitting a second signal to said computer when said volume mesuring wunit detects a change in the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said first fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes, said computer having means for monitoring said second input line to detect said second signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said second signal on said second input line; and

said computer having at least one third input line connected to said flowmeter for transmitting a third signal to said computer when said flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow, said computer having means for monitoring said third input line to detect said third signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said third signal on said third input line; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said volume of said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

9. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material as claimed in claim 5, claim 7 or claim 8 having

means for cooling said first fluid as said first fluid flows through said closed loop of fluid flow;

and

a temperature measuring device in thermal contact with said first fluid contained within said closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for determining when said temperature measuring device measures a temperature of said first fluid that is not within a predetermined range of temperatures.

6. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within said predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

7. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a volume measuring unit located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow;

a flowmeter located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container;

means for determining when said volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said first fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for determining when said flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

8. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a volume measuring unit located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow;

a flowmeter located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a computer having at least one first input line connected to said radiation detector for transmitting a first signal to said computer when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container, said computer having means for monitoring said first input line to detect said first signal and having means to indicate that said computer has detected said first signal on said first input line; and

said computer having at least one second input line connected to said detector for detecting said second fluid for transmitting a second signal to said computer when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container, said computer having means for monitoring said second input line to detect said second signal and having means to indicate that said computer has detected said second signal on said second input line; and

said computer having at least one third input line connected to said volume measuring unit for transmitting a third signal to said computer when said volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said first fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes, said computer having means for monitoring said third input line to detect said third signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said third signal on said third input line; and

said computer having at least one fourth input line connected to said flowmeter for transmitting a fourth signal to said computer when said flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow, said computer having means for monitoring said fourth input line to detect said fourth signal and having means for indicating that said computer has detected said fourth signal on said fourth input line; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

10. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a third container for containing said second container;

a fourth container for containing said third container;

a storage cell containing said fourth container;

means for circulating a first fluid in a first closed loop of fluid flow through a first cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said first closed loop of fluid flow through said first cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

means for circulating a second fluid in a second closed loop of fluid flow through a second cavity between said third container and said fourth container when said third container is contained within said fourth container, when said second container is contained within said third container, said second closed loop of fluid flow through said second cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said third container;

means located within said first closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said first fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means located within said second closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said second fluid to detect the migration of a third fluid into said second cavity between said third container and said fourth container from outside said fourth container; and

means for retrieving said fourth container and said third container and said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said third fluid from outside said fourth container is detected.

11. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a third container for containing said second container;

a fourth container for containing said third container;

a storage cell containing said fourth container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a first cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said first cavity between said first container and said second container;

a third conduit for transporting a second fluid to a second cavity between said third container and said fourth container when said third container is contained within said fourth container, when said second container is contained within said third container;

a fourth conduit for transporting said second fluid from said second cavity between said third container and said fourth container;

first pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said first cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said first pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous first closed loop of fluid flow, said first closed loop of fluid flow through said first cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

second pump means connecting said third conduit and said fourth conduit for moving said second fluid through said third conduit, through said second cavity between said third container and said fourth container, through said fourth conduit, through said second pump means and back into said third conduit in a continuous second closed loop of fluid flow, said second closed loop of fluid flow through said second cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said third container;

a radiation detector located within said first closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container; and

a detector for detecting a third fluid located within said second closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of a volume of said third fluid in said second fluid flowing through said second closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said third fluid detects the presence of a volume of said third fluid in said second fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of third fluid, said volume of said third fluid being due to leakage of said third fluid into said second closed loop of fluid flow from outside said fourth container; and

means for retrieving said fourth container and said third container and said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said third fluid from outside said fourth container is detected.

12. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a third container for containing said second container;

a fourth container for containing said third container;

a storage cell containing said fourth container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a first cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said first cavity between said first container and said second container;

a third conduit for transporting a second fluid to a second cavity between said third container and said fourth container when said third container is contained within said fourth container, when said second container is contained within said third container;

a fourth conduit for transporting said second fluid from said second cavity between said third container and said fourth container;

first pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said first cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said first pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous first closed loop of fluid flow, said first closed loop of fluid flow through said first cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

second pump means connecting said third conduit and said fourth conduit for moving said second fluid through said third conduit, through said second cavity between said third container and said fourth container, through said fourth conduit, through said second pump means and back into said third conduit in a continuous second closed loop of fluid flow, said second closed loop of fluid flow through said second cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said third container;

a radiation detector located within said first closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said ratioactive material from said first container;

a detector for detecting a third fluid located within said second closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of a volume of said third fluid in said second fluid flowing through said second closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said third fluid detects the presence of a volume of said third fluid in said second fluid that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of third fluid, said volume of said third fluid being due to leakage of said third fluid into said second closed loop of fluid flow from outside said fourth container;

a first volume measuring unit located within said first closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said first fluid in said first closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said first volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said first fluid in said first closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said first fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes;

a second volume measuring unit located within said second closed loop of fluid flow for measuring a change in the volume of said second fluid in said second closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said second volume measuring unit detects a change in the volume of said second fluid in said second closed loop of fluid flow that causes the volume of said second fluid to not be within a predetermined range of volumes;

a first flowmeter located within said first closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said first flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said first fluid flowing through said first closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

a second flowmeter located within said second closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the rate of flow of said second fluid flowing through said second closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said second flowmeter detects a rate of flow of said second fluid flowing through said second closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said fourth container and said third container and said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said third fluid from outside said fourth container is detected.

13. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a plurality of sets of nested containers in which each set of nested containers in said plurality of sets comprises a first container for containing radioactive material and a second container for containing said first container;

a plurality of storage cells for containing said plurality of sets of nested containers in which each storage cell in said plurality of storage cells contains at least one set of nested containers;

means for circulating a plurality of quantities of radiation monitoring fluid in a plurality of closed loops of fluid flow through each of the respective cavities between said first container and said second container of each set of nested containers in said plurality of nested containers, each respective closed loop of fluid flow through each respective cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of each respective first container;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from each respective first container;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in said respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in said respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

means for identifying a set of nested containers in said plurality of sets of nested containers having a first container that is leaking radioactive material; and

means for retrieving said set of nested containers having a first container that is leaking radioactive material from its respective storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container of said set of nested containers is detected.

14. A storage system as claimed in claim 13 having

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect the migration of an external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow from outside said respective second container;

means for identifying a set of nested containers in said plurality of sets of nested containers having a second container that is admitting external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for retrieving said set of nested containers having a second container that is admitting external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow when the presence of said external fluid is detected.

15. A method for monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

placing said second container within a storage cell;

circulating radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

extracting samples of said radiation monitoring fluid from said closed loop of fluid flow;

analyzing said samples of said radiation monitoring fluid extracted from said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said samples of said radiation monitoring fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container; and

retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

16. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

placing said second container within a storage cell;

continuously circulating radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

analyzing portions of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said portions of said radiation monitoring fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container; and

retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

17. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of solid radioactive material comprising

placing solid radioactive material in a first container;

18. placing said first container within a second container;

placing said second container within a storage cell;

continuously circulating a radiation monitoring liquid having a thixotropic agent in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

analyzing portions of said radiation monitoring liquid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said solid radioactive material in said portions of said radiation monitoring liquid indicative of leakage of said solid radioactive material from said first container; and

retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said solid radioactive material from said first container is detected.

19. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

placing said second container within a storage cell;

continuously circulating a first fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

analyzing portions of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said portions of said first fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

analyzing portions of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a second fluid detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the migration of a second fluid into said cavity between said first container and said second container from outside said second container;

retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected; and

retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when the migration of said second fluid into said cavity between said first container and said second container from outside said second container is detected.

20. A method for monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a plurality of sets of nested containers in which each set of nested containers in said plurality of sets comprises a first container for containing radioactive material and a second container for containing said first container;

placing said plurality of sets of nested containers in a plurality of storage cells with each storage cell in said plurality of storage cells containing at least one set of nested containers;

continuously circulating a plurality of quantities of radiation monitoring fluid in a plurality of closed loops of fluid flow through each of the respective cavities between said first container and said second container of each set of nested containers in said plurality of nested containers, each respective closed loop of fluid flow through each respective cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of each respective first container;

monitoring the volume of each respective quantity of said radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of each respective quantity of said radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

analyzing portions of radiation monitoring fluid within each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect leakage of said radioactive material from each respective first container;

analyzing portions of radiation monitoring fluid within each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect the migration of an external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow from outside said respective second container;

retrieving from its respective storage cell said set of nested containers having a first container that is leaking radioactive material when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container of said set of nested containers is detected; and

retrieving from its respective storage cell said set of nested containers having a second container that is admitting external fluid when the presence of said external fluid from outside said second container of said set of nested containers is detected.

25. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material is claimed in claim 20, claim 21, claim 22 or claim 23 having

means for cooling said radiation monitoring fluid as said radiation monitoring fluid flows through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a temperature measuring device in thermal contact with said radiation monitoring fluid contained within said closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the temperature of said radiation monitoring fluid is not within a predetermined range of temperatures.

21. A storage system for the monitored storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

means for circulating a radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

means located within said closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes; and

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow.

22. A storage system for the monitored storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a first conduit for transporting a radiation monitoring fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said radiation monitoring fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said radiation monitoring fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detects the presence of a level of radioactivity in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes; and

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow.

23. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

means for circulating a radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container,

means located within said closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

24. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a radiation monitoring fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said radiation monitoring fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said radiation monitoring fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow for measuring the level of radioactivity present in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said radiation detector detecs the presence of a level of radioactivity in said radiation monitoring fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of levels of radioactivity due to leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for monitoring said radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected.

26. A storage system for the monitored storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for determining when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container.

30. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material as claimed in claim 26, claim 27 or claim 28 having

means for cooling said first fluid as said first fluid flows through said closed loop of fluid flow;

a temperature measuring device in thermal contact with said first fluid contained within said closed loop of fluid flow; and

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the temperature of said first fluid is not within a predetermined range of temperatures.

32. A storage system as claimed in claim 30 having

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect the migration of an external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow from outside said respective second container;

and

means for identifying a set of nested containers in said plurality of sets of nested containers having a second container that is admitting external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow.

27. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

means for circulating a first fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

means located within said closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said first fluid to detect the migration of a second fluid into said cavity between said first container and said second container from outside said second container;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said first fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

28. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

a first conduit for transporting a first fluid to a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container;

a second conduit for transporting said first fluid from said cavity between said first container and said second container;

pump means connecting said first conduit and said second conduit for moving said first fluid through said first conduit, through said cavity between said first container and said second container, through said second conduit, through said pump means and back into said first conduit in a continuous closed loop of fluid flow, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

a detector for detecting a second fluid located within said closed loop of fluid flow for detecting the presence of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow;

means for determining when said detector for detecting said second fluid detects the presence of a volume of said second fluid in said first fluid flowing through said closed loop of fluid flow that is not within a predetermined range of volumes of second fluid, said volume of said second fluid being due to leakage of said second fluid into said closed loop of fluid flow from outside said second container;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said first fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when said volume of said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

29. A storage system for the monitored retrievable storage of radioactive material comprising

a first container for containing radioactive material;

a second container for containing said first container;

a storage cell containing said second container;

means for circulating a first fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

means located within said closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said first fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from said first container;

means located within said closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring said first fluid to detect the migration of a second fluid into said cavity between said first container and said second container from outside said second container;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means for monitoring said first fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said first fluid is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for retrieving said second container and said first container from said storage cell when leakage of said radioactive material from said first container is detected or when said second fluid from outside said second container is detected.

31. A storage system for the monitored storage of radioactive material comprising

a plurality of sets of nested containers in which each set of nested containers in said plurality of sets comprises a first container for containing radioactive material and a second container for containing said first container;

means for circulating a plurality of quantities of radiation monitoring fluid in a plurality of closed loops of fluid flow through each of the respective cavities between said first container and said second container of each set of nested containers in said plurality of nested containers, each respective closed loop of fluid flow through each respective cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of each respective first container;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect leakage of said radioactive material from each respective first container;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the volume of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in said respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

means located within each respective closed loop of fluid flow for monitoring each respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid to detect when the rate of flow of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in said respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

means for identifying a set of nested containers in said plurality of sets of nested containers having a first container that is leaking radioactive material.

33. A method for monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

circulating radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

extracting samples of said radiation monitoring fluid from said closed loop of fluid flow; and

analyzing said samples of said radiation monitoring fluid extracted from said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said samples of said radiation monitoring fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container.

34. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

continuously circulating radiation monitoring fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow; and

analyzing portions of said radiation monitoring fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said portions of said radiation monitoring fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container.

35. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of solid radioactive material comprising

placing solid radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

continuously circulating a radiation monitoring liquid having a thixotropic agent in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container; and

analyzing portions of said radiation monitoring liquid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said solid radioactive material in said portions of said radiation monitoring liquid indicative of leakage of said solid radioactive material from said first container.

36. A method for continuously monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a first container;

placing said first container within a second container;

continuously circulating a first fluid in a closed loop of fluid flow through a cavity between said first container and said second container when said first container is contained within said second container, said closed loop of fluid flow through said cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of said first container;

monitoring the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

analyzing portions of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a radiation detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the presence of said radioactive material in said portions of said first fluid indicative of leakage of said radioactive material from said first container; and

analyzing portions of said first fluid in said closed loop of fluid flow with a second fluid detector located within said closed loop of fluid flow to detect the migration of a second fluid into said cavity between said first container and said second container from outside said second container.

37. A method for monitoring the storage of radioactive material comprising

placing radioactive material in a plurality of sets of nested containers in which each set of nested containers in said plurality of sets comprises a first container for containing radioactive material and a second container for containing said first container;

continuously circulating a plurality of quantities of radiation monitoring fluid in a plurality of closed loops of fluid flow through each of the respective cavities between said first container and said second container of each set of nested containers in said plurality of nested containers, each respective closed loop of fluid flow through each respective cavity covering substantially the entire exterior surface of each respective first container;

monitoring the volume of each respective quantity of said radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the volume of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of volumes;

monitoring the rate of flow of each respective quantity of said radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect when the rate of flow of said respective quantity of radiation monitoring fluid in each respective closed loop of fluid flow is not within a predetermined range of rates of flow;

analyzing portions of radiation monitoring fluid within each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect leakage of said radioactive material from each respective first container; and

analyzing portions of radiation monitoring fluid within each respective closed loop of fluid flow to detect the migration of an external fluid into said respective closed loop of fluid flow from outside said respective second container.