# US 2014/0192946 A1 · Method of storing high level radioactive waste

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 2014/0192946 A1
- Document ID: US20140192946A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/736,452
- Filed: 2013-01-08
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-08
- Assignees: Holtec International
- Inventors: Krishna P. Singh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140192946A1

## CPC

- G21F 5/008: Containers for fuel elements
- G21F 5/10: Heat-removal systems, e.g. using circulating fluid or cooling fins
- G21F 5/12: Closures for containers; Sealing arrangements
- G21F 7/015: Room atmosphere, temperature or pressure control devices
- B65D 53/02: Collars or rings
- G21F: PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR (radiation protection by pharmaceutical means A61K8/00, A61Q17/04; in cosmonautic vehicles B64G1/54; combined with a reactor G21C11/00; combined with X-ray tubes H01J35/16; combined with X-ray apparatus H05G1/02)
- B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES

## 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

### Claim 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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

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

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

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.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

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.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

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.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

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