A nuclear waste cask with impact protection includes impact limiters comprising deformable energy-absorbing perforated sleeves. An impact amelioration system for nuclear fuel storage components includes impact limiter assemblies at the bottom cask to canister interface including impact limiter plugs frictionally engaging corresponding plug holes formed in the cask closure plate. A nuclear waste fuel storage system includes an unventilated cask including a heavy free-floating radiation shielding lid loosely coupled the top end of the cask in a movable manner via the anchor bosses which provides cask over pressurization protection. A nuclear waste cask includes an axially elongated rectangular cuboid cask body having a cavity for holding nuclear waste materials and cask locking mechanism including first locking protrusions on the lid which are selectively interlockable with mating second locking protrusions on the cask body to lock the lid to the cask body.

A shipping container comprises a tubular or cylindrical shell having a closed end and an open end, a top end-cap removably secured to the open end of the tubular or cylindrical shell, and at least one fuel assembly compartment defined inside the shell. Each fuel assembly compartment includes elastomeric sidewalls and is sized and shaped to receive an unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly through the open end of the shell. The shipping container may further include a divider component, for example having a cross-shaped cross-section with ends of the cross secured to inner walls of the shell, and the divider component and the inner walls of the shell define the fuel assembly compartments. To load, the shipping container is arranged vertically and an unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly is loaded through the open end of the shell into each compartment, after which the open end is closed off by securing the top end-cap.

A shipping container comprises a tubular or cylindrical shell having a closed end and an open end, a top end-cap removably secured to the open end of the tubular or cylindrical shell, and at least one fuel assembly compartment defined inside the shell. Each fuel assembly compartment includes elastomeric sidewalls and is sized and shaped to receive an unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly through the open end of the shell. The shipping container may further include a divider component, for example having a cross-shaped cross-section with ends of the cross secured to inner walls of the shell, and the divider component and the inner walls of the shell define the fuel assembly compartments. To load, the shipping container is arranged vertically and an unirradiated nuclear fuel assembly is loaded through the open end of the shell into each compartment, after which the open end is closed off by securing the top end-cap.

A nuclear waste cask in one embodiment includes an axially elongated cask body defining a longitudinally-extending opening forming an entrance to an internal storage cavity of the cask configured for holding radioactive nuclear waste materials. A closure lid detachably coupled to the cask body at the top opening seals the cavity. A cask locking mechanism includes a plurality of first locking protrusions spaced apart on the lid which are selectively interlockable with a plurality of second locking protrusions spaced apart on the cask body to lock the lid to the cask body. The first locking protrusions may be disposed on slideable locking bars moveable between locked and unlocked positions while the lid remains stationary on the cask body. Hydraulic or pneumatic actuators may be used to change position of the locking bars. The cask and lid may include other features such as impact absorbers and lifting elements.

The invention relates to a packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, comprising a packaging body extending along a longitudinal direction, and further including at least one shock-absorbing cover mounted on one of both longitudinally opposite ends of the packaging body, the absorbing cover comprising attaching portions (44) on said packaging body, each attaching portion defining a clearing hole (58) through which an element (24) screwed in the packaging body passes. According to the invention, the attaching portion (44) has a deformable area (54) which, in the case of an outer bias on the absorbing cover leading to a contact strain between the screwed element (24) and the clearing hole (58), is designed to plastically deform.

The invention relates to a packaging for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, comprising a packaging body extending along a longitudinal direction, and further including at least one shock-absorbing cover mounted on one of both longitudinally opposite ends of the packaging body, the absorbing cover comprising attaching portions (44) on said packaging body, each attaching portion defining a clearing hole (58) through which an element (24) screwed in the packaging body passes. According to the invention, the attaching portion (44) has a deformable area (54) which, in the case of an outer bias on the absorbing cover leading to a contact strain between the screwed element (24) and the clearing hole (58), is designed to plastically deform.

Reusable transporters for removable housing of radioactive materials and configured for safely containing the radioactive materials during transportation operations of the transporters are described. A given transporter may have at least four layers, an outermost structural-jacket, an innermost liner, a containment layer, and a radiation shielding layer. The structural-jacket is made from strong materials like steel and/or titanium, but not stainless steel. The containment layer and/or the radiation shielding layer may have one or more sub-layers. The containment layer is stretchable and designed to completely enclose the internally stored radioactive materials even in the event of a serious impact event to the overall transporter. The radioactive materials are removably stored within an inner cavity of the transporter, within the liner. The inner cavity may be accessible from at least one terminal end of the transporter. The at least one terminal end is removably closeable via use of closure means.

Reusable transporters for removable housing of radioactive materials and configured for safely containing the radioactive materials during transportation operations of the transporters are described. A given transporter may have at least four layers, an outermost structural-jacket, an innermost liner, a containment layer, and a radiation shielding layer. The structural-jacket is made from strong materials like steel and/or titanium, but not stainless steel. The containment layer and/or the radiation shielding layer may have one or more sub-layers. The containment layer is stretchable and designed to completely enclose the internally stored radioactive materials even in the event of a serious impact event to the overall transporter. The radioactive materials are removably stored within an inner cavity of the transporter, within the liner. The inner cavity may be accessible from at least one terminal end of the transporter. The at least one terminal end is removably closeable via use of closure means.

A containment cask is disclosed for safely transporting and storing radioactive hazardous waste in a dry air environment. The cask comprises a single drum containing the radioactive hazardous waste, a sealed and shielded containment vessel containing the drum, and an outer container. The outer container can be in the form of an outer shield vessel (OSV) made from iron to provide further shielding. This outer container is appropriate for a drum having higher activity waste. The outer container can also be in the form of an overpack assembly that adds protection for atmospheric hazards, but adds little in terms of shielding. This outer container is appropriate for a drum having lower activity waste.

A containment cask is disclosed for safely transporting and storing radioactive hazardous waste in a dry air environment. The cask comprises a single drum containing the radioactive hazardous waste, a sealed and shielded containment vessel containing the drum, and an outer container. The outer container can be in the form of an outer shield vessel (OSV) made from iron to provide further shielding. This outer container is appropriate for a drum having higher activity waste. The outer container can also be in the form of an overpack assembly that adds protection for atmospheric hazards, but adds little in terms of shielding. This outer container is appropriate for a drum having lower activity waste.