Submergible barge retrievable storage and permanent disposal system for radioactive waste

A submergible barge for storing radioactive waste, comprising:

• a hollow hull having peripheral sides of impact shielding material;
• a storage tube within a void in the hull adapted to receive radioactive waste;
• a deck means extending between the hull sides for covering the void within the hull adjacent the storage tube and for holding the storage tube secure within the void clear of the peripheral hull sides;
• means for sealing the storage tube within the hull;
• vent means leading into the void for selectively receiving and directing a coolant fluid into the void;
• and means for submerging the barge in water;
• and wherein the vent means includes two hollow vent ducts formed through the hull having inner ends opening into the void at vertical spaced locations, and outer ends opening into the water when the barge is submerged to facilitate passive circulation of water through the void.

A submergible barge for storing radioactive waste, comprising:

• a hollow hull having peripheral sides of impact shielding material;
• a storage tube within a void in the hull adapted to receive radioactive waste;
• a deck means extending between the hull sides for covering the void within the hull adjacent the storage tube and for holding the storage tube secure within the void clear of the peripheral hull sides;
• means for sealing the storage tube within the hull;
• vent means leading into the void for selectively receiving and directing a coolant fluid into the void;
• and means for submerging the barge in water;
• wherein the hull is compartmented into a plurality of cells, with each cell defining a void and receiving a storage tube;
• and wherein the vent means includes a manifold duct opening into individual ventilation ducts that openly communicate with the cell voids.

A submergible barge for storing radioactive waste, comprising;

• a hollow hull having peripheral sides of impact shielding material and being compartmented into a plurality of cells each defining a void;
• a storage tube adapted to receive radioactive waste upright and centered within each void;
• the hull including a flat bottom, upwardly projecting sides, and a deck extending between the hull sides for covering the voids adjacent the storage tubes secure within the voids clear of the sides;
• a shield plug received within an upper end of each storage tube sealing the radioactive waste within the tube;
• a hatch cover for sealing each storage tube extending over the deck and secured to the hull;
• means for selectively submerging and resurfacing the barge in a body of water;
• and
• vent means leading into the voids for selectively receiving water from the body of water and directing the water into the voids, wherein said vent means comprise a manifold duct opening into individual ventilation ducts that openly communicate with the voids, wherein the ventilation ducts have a series of bends to prevent radiation shine, and wherein said ventilation ducts are in communication with a vertical vent to allow passive cooling while submerged and to break bottom suction during barge resurfacing.