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 cask with impact protection includes impact limiters detachably coupled to opposite ends of the cask. Each impact limiter may comprise a deformable energy-absorbing perforated sleeve of cylindrical shape comprising an array of closely-spaced longitudinally elongated perforations. The perforations may comprise longitudinal passages having a circular cross-sectional shape in certain embodiments. The perforated sleeve may have an annular metallic body of monolithic unitary structure in which the perforations are formed and a central opening to receive the ends of the cask therein. When exposed to external impact forces such as created by dropping the cask, the perforations collapse inwards in the impact or crush zone to absorb the energy of fall while preventing or minimizing any forces transmitted to the cask to maintain the integrity of waste containment barrier.

A nuclear waste cask with impact protection includes impact limiters detachably coupled to opposite ends of the cask. Each impact limiter may comprise a deformable energy-absorbing perforated sleeve of cylindrical shape comprising an array of closely-spaced longitudinally elongated perforations. The perforations may comprise longitudinal passages having a circular cross-sectional shape in certain embodiments. The perforated sleeve may have an annular metallic body of monolithic unitary structure in which the perforations are formed and a central opening to receive the ends of the cask therein. When exposed to external impact forces such as created by dropping the cask, the perforations collapse inwards in the impact or crush zone to absorb the energy of fall while preventing or minimizing any forces transmitted to the cask to maintain the integrity of waste containment barrier.

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.

An apparatus for supporting spent nuclear fuel including a plurality of wall plates arranged in an intersecting manner to define a basket apparatus extending along a longitudinal axis. The basket apparatus may include a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of flux traps between adjacent fuel cells. A plurality of reinforcement members may be positioned in the flux traps and may extend between opposing ones of the wall plates that form the flux traps. Each of the wall plates may be a slotted wall plate. The slotted wall plates may be interlocked with one another to form the basket apparatus. Each of the slotted wall plates may include an upper edge, a lower edge, and a plurality of plate slots formed in each of the upper and lower edges. The plate slots of the slotted wall plates may receive intersecting slotted wall plates.

An apparatus for supporting spent nuclear fuel including a plurality of wall plates arranged in an intersecting manner to define a basket apparatus extending along a longitudinal axis. The basket apparatus may include a plurality of fuel cells and a plurality of flux traps between adjacent fuel cells. A plurality of reinforcement members may be positioned in the flux traps and may extend between opposing ones of the wall plates that form the flux traps. Each of the wall plates may be a slotted wall plate. The slotted wall plates may be interlocked with one another to form the basket apparatus. Each of the slotted wall plates may include an upper edge, a lower edge, and a plurality of plate slots formed in each of the upper and lower edges. The plate slots of the slotted wall plates may receive intersecting slotted wall plates.

A containment enclosure for shielding an outer cask containing an inner canister loaded with nuclear waste such as spent fuel rods. The enclosure includes a lower base portion at least partially embedded in a concrete pad and an upper radiation shielding portion defined by a shield jacket coupled to and supported by the lower base portion at a circumferential joint. Cavities of the base and shielding portions collectively define a contiguous containment space for the cask. A portion of the cask resides in each of the base and shielding portions which completely enclose and shield the cask to minimize radiation dosage of personnel in the environment surrounding the cask. The cask is cooled by a natural convectively-driven ambient cooling air ventilation system including air inlets at the circumferential joint of the enclosure. The concrete pad may be part of a spent nuclear fuel storage installation comprising plural cask containment enclosures.

Techniques for storing nuclear waste include placing a plurality of nuclear waste portions into an inner volume of a housing of a nuclear waste canister configured to store the nuclear waste portions in a hazardous waste repository of a directional drillhole formed in a subterranean formation; substantially filling voids within the inner volume and between the plurality of nuclear waste portions with a solid or semi-solid granular material; and sealing the inner volume of the nuclear waste canister to enclose the plurality of nuclear waste portions and the solid or semi-solid granular material.

Techniques for storing nuclear waste include placing a plurality of nuclear waste portions into an inner volume of a housing of a nuclear waste canister configured to store the nuclear waste portions in a hazardous waste repository of a directional drillhole formed in a subterranean formation; substantially filling voids within the inner volume and between the plurality of nuclear waste portions with a solid or semi-solid granular material; and sealing the inner volume of the nuclear waste canister to enclose the plurality of nuclear waste portions and the solid or semi-solid granular material.