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.

A radioactive waste container comprises an essentially box-shaped hollow container body that has six container sides, comprising an opening side that comprises an opening into the hollow container body. In the corner areas at which the container sides join, at least one fixation is located, and wherein the opening is adapted to be closed with a lid, wherein each corner area adjacent to the opening is at least partially spaced from the opening by means of a recess in the opening side.

A radioactive waste container comprises an essentially box-shaped hollow container body that has six container sides, comprising an opening side that comprises an opening into the hollow container body. In the corner areas at which the container sides join, at least one fixation is located, and wherein the opening is adapted to be closed with a lid, wherein each corner area adjacent to the opening is at least partially spaced from the opening by means of a recess in the opening side.

An impact amelioration system for nuclear fuel storage components in one embodiment includes a fuel storage canister and outer cask receiving the canister. The canister is configured for storing spent nuclear fuel or other high level radioactive waste. A plurality of impact limiter assemblies are disposed on the bottom closure plate of the cask at the canister interface. Each impact limiter assembly comprises an impact limiter plug frictionally engaged with a corresponding plug hole formed in the cask closure plate. The canister rests on tops of the plugs, which may protrude upwards beyond the top surface of the bottom closure lid. The plugs and holes may mating tapered and frictionally engaged surfaces. During a cask drop event, the canister drives the plugs deeper into the plug holes and elastoplastically deform to dissipate the kinetic impact energy and protect the structural integrity of the canister and its contents.

An impact amelioration system for nuclear fuel storage components in one embodiment includes a fuel storage canister and outer cask receiving the canister. The canister is configured for storing spent nuclear fuel or other high level radioactive waste. A plurality of impact limiter assemblies are disposed on the bottom closure plate of the cask at the canister interface. Each impact limiter assembly comprises an impact limiter plug frictionally engaged with a corresponding plug hole formed in the cask closure plate. The canister rests on tops of the plugs, which may protrude upwards beyond the top surface of the bottom closure lid. The plugs and holes may mating tapered and frictionally engaged surfaces. During a cask drop event, the canister drives the plugs deeper into the plug holes and elastoplastically deform to dissipate the kinetic impact energy and protect the structural integrity of the canister and its contents.

An impact amelioration system for nuclear fuel storage components in one embodiment includes a fuel storage canister and outer cask receiving the canister. The canister is configured for storing spent nuclear fuel or other high level radioactive waste. A plurality of impact limiter assemblies are disposed on the bottom closure plate of the cask at the canister interface. Each impact limiter assembly comprises an impact limiter plug frictionally engaged with a corresponding plug hole formed in the cask closure plate. The canister rests on tops of the plugs, which may protrude upwards beyond the top surface of the bottom closure lid. The plugs and holes may mating tapered and frictionally engaged surfaces. During a cask drop event, the canister drives the plugs deeper into the plug holes and elastoplastically deform to dissipate the kinetic impact energy and protect the structural integrity of the canister and its contents.

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.

A nuclear waste-capsule may include: an outer shell; an inner tube, located in that outer shell; and one or more spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies (or portions thereof), with particular structure(s) attached thereto, within that inner tube. The particular structure(s) may be one or more spring-loaded receptacles (SLRs), such that each of the one or more SNF assemblies (or portions thereof), within the given inner tube, may have circumferentially attached thereto at least one SLR. Each such SLR may act as shock absorbing suspension means and may structurally support and centralize its associated SNF assembly (or portion thereof) within the given inner tube. Additionally, the one or more SNF assemblies (or portions thereof), along with the associated SLRs, may be immersed within a protective/preventative medium, within the given inner tube. The so loaded waste-capsule may be deposited within a wellbore that is located within a repository geological formation.

A nuclear waste-capsule may include: an outer shell; an inner tube, located in that outer shell; and one or more spent nuclear fuel (SNF) assemblies (or portions thereof), with particular structure(s) attached thereto, within that inner tube. The particular structure(s) may be one or more spring-loaded receptacles (SLRs), such that each of the one or more SNF assemblies (or portions thereof), within the given inner tube, may have circumferentially attached thereto at least one SLR. Each such SLR may act as shock absorbing suspension means and may structurally support and centralize its associated SNF assembly (or portion thereof) within the given inner tube. Additionally, the one or more SNF assemblies (or portions thereof), along with the associated SLRs, may be immersed within a protective/preventative medium, within the given inner tube. The so loaded waste-capsule may be deposited within a wellbore that is located within a repository geological formation.

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 overpressurization 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.