Ventilated overpack apparatus and method for storing spent nuclear fuel
US6519307B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 2000 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG21F5/10
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A ventilated overpack apparatus for containing a spent nuclear fuel canister has photon radiation scattering attenuators in the air ducts, preferably at or near the external openings. The apparatus preferably has straight ambient air inlet ducts and straight hot air outlet ducts which allow for improved rates of air flow and, because of the radiation scattering attenuators, far more efficient trapping of photons and reduced dose rates versus prior curvilinear or serpentine duct designs. The method of storing spent nuclear fuel comprises inserting a canister in the ventilated overpack apparatus which has the photon radiation scattering attenuators in the ducts. Preferably the top ducts are formed by three-sided channels in the sidewalls of the overpack and a fourth side formed by the flat bottom of the top lid, and the bottom ducts are also formed by three sided channels with the fourth side being formed in part by the bottom lid and in part by a concrete pad on which the overpack rests.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.