Canister apparatus and basket for transporting, storing and/or supporting spent nuclear fuel

An apparatus for storing and/or transporting radioactive materials comprising:

• a multi-purpose canister having a body comprising a first metal pressure vessel and a second metal pressure vessel;
• the first metal pressure vessel having an outer surface and forming a cavity for receiving radioactive materials;
• the second metal pressure vessel having an inner surface;
• the first pressure vessel located within and fixedly bonded to the second pressure vessel so that a substantial entirety of the outer surface of the first metal pressure vessel is in substantially conformal surface contact with the inner surface of the second metal pressure vessel;
• and
• wherein the first metal pressure vessel is formed by a first set of structural components and the second metal pressure vessel is formed by a second set of structural components, the structural components of the first and second sets being mutually exclusive.

A multi-purpose canister for storing and/or transporting radioactive materials comprising:

• a first structural assembly forming a cavity for receiving radioactive materials, the first structural assembly forming a first gas-tight containment boundary surrounding the cavity;
• a second structural assembly surrounding the first structural assembly, the second structural assembly forming a second gas-tight containment boundary surrounding the cavity;
• wherein the first structural assembly and second structural assembly are in substantially conformal surface contact with one another and fixedly bonded together;
• and
• wherein the first structural assembly is formed by a first set of structural components and the second structural assembly is formed by a second set of structural components, the structural components of the first and second sets being mutually exclusive.

An apparatus for storing and/or transporting radioactive materials comprising:

• a multi-purpose canister having a dual-walled body comprising:
• an inner wall comprising a first shell forming a cavity for receiving radioactive materials, a first plate connected to the first shell so as to form a floor of the cavity, a first lid enclosing the cavity and directly connected to the first shell, the first shell, the first plate and the first lid forming a first radiological containment boundary about the cavity;
• an outer wall comprising a second shell surrounding the first shell so that an inner surface of the second shell is fixedly bonded to and in substantially conformal surface contact with a substantial entirety of an outer surface of the first shell, a second plate connected to the second shell, a second lid directly connected to the second shell, the second shell, the second plate and the second lid forming a second radiation containment boundary that surrounds the first radiological containment boundary;
• and
• a basket for supporting the radioactive materials, the basket positioned within the cavity.