An apparatus is provided for storing hazardous waste material, which includes one or more of spent nuclear fuel, radioactive material, and fissionable material. A fusible alloy material, for example, a eutectic material, resides within the apparatus and surrounds the hazardous waste material. In the preferred embodiments, it is suggested that the fusible alloy material exhibits liquidus and solidus or melting temperatures that are between about 100 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit for facilities using the apparatus and methods for liquid storage pool loading applications. For facilities using the apparatus and methods for dry loading, the fusible alloy materials may exhibit liquidus and solidus or melting temperatures that are between about 100 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit. The fusible alloy material is introduced in a liquid phase and eventually solidifies into a solid phase as the temperature of the hazardous waste material and/or the local environment decreases.

An apparatus is provided for storing hazardous waste material, which includes one or more of spent nuclear fuel, radioactive material, and fissionable material. A fusible alloy material, for example, a eutectic material, resides within the apparatus and surrounds the hazardous waste material. In the preferred embodiments, it is suggested that the fusible alloy material exhibits liquidus and solidus or melting temperatures that are between about 100 and 300 degrees Fahrenheit for facilities using the apparatus and methods for liquid storage pool loading applications. For facilities using the apparatus and methods for dry loading, the fusible alloy materials may exhibit liquidus and solidus or melting temperatures that are between about 100 and 650 degrees Fahrenheit. The fusible alloy material is introduced in a liquid phase and eventually solidifies into a solid phase as the temperature of the hazardous waste material and/or the local environment decreases.

A travel system (20) for a canister storage, transfer, or transport system generally includes a support structure (22), at least one traveling device (24) for preparing, inspecting, and/or repairing the canister, and a base ring (26) for supporting the traveling device and providing for rotational movement of the traveling device relative to the support structure.

A travel system (20) for a canister storage, transfer, or transport system generally includes a support structure (22), at least one traveling device (24) for preparing, inspecting, and/or repairing the canister, and a base ring (26) for supporting the traveling device and providing for rotational movement of the traveling device relative to the support structure.

A spent nuclear fuel storage facility. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a storage facility including an array of storage containers. Each of the storage containers includes a body portion and a lid. The body portion has a storage cavity configured to hold a canister containing spent nuclear fuel. The lid, which may rest atop the body portion in a detachable manner, includes an inlet vent and an outlet vent. Each of the storage containers may be configured to draw air through the inlet vent and into the storage cavity where the air is warmed and passed through the outlet vent as heated air. The body portion of the storage containers may be positioned below grade and the lid of the storage containers may be positioned above grade.

A spent nuclear fuel storage facility. In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a storage facility including an array of storage containers. Each of the storage containers includes a body portion and a lid. The body portion has a storage cavity configured to hold a canister containing spent nuclear fuel. The lid, which may rest atop the body portion in a detachable manner, includes an inlet vent and an outlet vent. Each of the storage containers may be configured to draw air through the inlet vent and into the storage cavity where the air is warmed and passed through the outlet vent as heated air. The body portion of the storage containers may be positioned below grade and the lid of the storage containers may be positioned above grade.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, components, and methods for transferring canisters containing radioactive material, for example, from a container assembly using a transfer assembly to a horizontal storage module (HSM). Systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure include, for example, a vertical to horizontal (VTH) transfer station for a canister and method of transfer, a horizontal to horizontal (HTH) transfer station for a canister and methods of transfer, a transport wagon system for transporting a canister to a horizontal storage module (HSM), and an HSM system for long-term storage of a canister.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems, components, and methods for transferring canisters containing radioactive material, for example, from a container assembly using a transfer assembly to a horizontal storage module (HSM). Systems in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure include, for example, a vertical to horizontal (VTH) transfer station for a canister and method of transfer, a horizontal to horizontal (HTH) transfer station for a canister and methods of transfer, a transport wagon system for transporting a canister to a horizontal storage module (HSM), and an HSM system for long-term storage of a canister.

Manufacturing methods for fabricating nuclear waste canisters used to store spent nuclear fuel assemblies are disclosed to mitigate stress corrosion cracking. The method may generally comprise providing one or more stainless steel sheets used to form a shell of the canister. The shell comprises open butt joints which are welded closed via full shell thickness type welds of preferably narrow profile. The welds and adjoining heat affect zone may then be subjected to mechanical through-thickness compaction, which converts a residual tensile stress field in the shell base material adjoining the weld to a compressive stress field for a full thickness of the shell. The crown of the external exposed portion of the weld is flattened by the compaction and may be coplanar with the exterior surface of the shell. Surface peening may optionally be performed on the welded zone after compaction.

Manufacturing methods for fabricating nuclear waste canisters used to store spent nuclear fuel assemblies are disclosed to mitigate stress corrosion cracking. The method may generally comprise providing one or more stainless steel sheets used to form a shell of the canister. The shell comprises open butt joints which are welded closed via full shell thickness type welds of preferably narrow profile. The welds and adjoining heat affect zone may then be subjected to mechanical through-thickness compaction, which converts a residual tensile stress field in the shell base material adjoining the weld to a compressive stress field for a full thickness of the shell. The crown of the external exposed portion of the weld is flattened by the compaction and may be coplanar with the exterior surface of the shell. Surface peening may optionally be performed on the welded zone after compaction.