Method and apparatus for the underwater loading of nuclear materials into concrete containers employing heat removal systems

Apparatus for the underwater loading of nuclear materials into a concrete container having a concrete outer surface, an open central cavity shaped to receive the materials, a steel inner liner lining the interior of the cavity, the liner including a top surface covering the top of the container, a shielded cavity lid dimensioned to cover the cavity, and fastening and sealing means for fastening and sealing the lid to the top surface, the apparatus comprising:

• (a) holding means for holding the concrete container during underwater loading, comprising a metal bottom, and a metal outside wall having a top surface, wherein the bottom and wall define an upwardly open cavity dimensioned to accommodate the concrete container, while leaving a gap between the container and the outside wall;
• (b) cover means for covering the gap between the outside wall of the holding means and the concrete outer surface of the container while allowing access to the central open cavity of the container;
• (c) fastening means for fastening the cover means to the top surface of the container, and for removably fastening the cover means to the top surface of the holding means;
• and
• (d) sealing means for sealing the cover means to the container and to the holding means.