An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

Systems and methods are disclosed for inspection, maintenance, debris removal, and cleaning of environments that may be difficult to access and hazardous. The system comprises a mast assembly, an arm assembly, a debris removal system, and a drive system. The mast assembly comprises an inner mast and an outer mast having a central axis about which the arm assembly revolves. The arm assembly provides support for the debris removal system. The debris removal system comprises a bucket tool, a plow tool, and one or more hoses for clearing and removing debris. The drive system comprises a plurality of one or more of cables, pulleys, rollers, and hoists to at least one of control motion of the arm assembly, raise and lower the inner mast, and position and control at least one of the bucket tool and the plow tool. The system is at least one of manually or automatically controlled.

Systems and methods are disclosed for inspection, maintenance, debris removal, and cleaning of environments that may be difficult to access and hazardous. The system comprises a mast assembly, an arm assembly, a debris removal system, and a drive system. The mast assembly comprises an inner mast and an outer mast having a central axis about which the arm assembly revolves. The arm assembly provides support for the debris removal system. The debris removal system comprises a bucket tool, a plow tool, and one or more hoses for clearing and removing debris. The drive system comprises a plurality of one or more of cables, pulleys, rollers, and hoists to at least one of control motion of the arm assembly, raise and lower the inner mast, and position and control at least one of the bucket tool and the plow tool. The system is at least one of manually or automatically controlled.

An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

An underground ventilated system for storing nuclear waste materials. The system includes a storage module having an outer shell defining an internal cavity and an inner shell. A majority of the height of the outer shell may be disposed below grade. The outer shell may include a hermetically sealed bottom. First and second canisters are positioned in lower and upper portions within the cavity respectively in vertically stacked relationship. A centering and spacing ring assembly is interspersed between the first and second canisters to transfer the weight of the upper second canister to the lower first canister. The assembly may include centering lugs which laterally restrain the first and second canisters in case of a seismic event. A natural convection driven ventilated air system cools the canisters to remove residual decay heat to the atmosphere. In one non-limiting embodiment, the shells are made of steel.

Systems and methods are disclosed for inspection, maintenance, debris removal, and cleaning of environments that may be difficult to access and hazardous. The system comprises a mast assembly, an arm assembly, a debris removal system, and a drive system. The mast assembly comprises an inner mast and an outer mast having a central axis about which the arm assembly revolves. The arm assembly provides support for the debris removal system. The debris removal system comprises a bucket tool, a plow tool, and one or more hoses for clearing and removing debris. The drive system comprises a plurality of one or more of cables, pulleys, rollers, and hoists to at least one of control motion of the arm assembly, raise and lower the inner mast, and position and control at least one of the bucket tool and the plow tool. The system is at least one of manually and automatically controlled.

The present invention concerns a hood for handling and confinement of at least two objects of slender shape, including an external enclosure and internal enclosures inside the external enclosure and at least one motor fixed above an internal enclosure and inside a barrel, the motor(s) being adapted to rotate the screw of the screw-nut mechanism of each internal enclosure and therefore the nut over a stroke A, and first and second mechanical control means, arranged in part above the cover of the external enclosure, respectively for manually guiding the internal enclosures in translation over a stroke A0 and manually pivoting the barrel in order to bring a holding member of one of the internal enclosures opposite the opening in the bottom of the external enclosure. Application to the handling and confinement of nuclear material sample holders.

The present invention concerns a hood for handling and confinement of at least two objects of slender shape, including an external enclosure and internal enclosures inside the external enclosure and at least one motor fixed above an internal enclosure and inside a barrel, the motor(s) being adapted to rotate the screw of the screw-nut mechanism of each internal enclosure and therefore the nut over a stroke A, and first and second mechanical control means, arranged in part above the cover of the external enclosure, respectively for manually guiding the internal enclosures in translation over a stroke A0 and manually pivoting the barrel in order to bring a holding member of one of the internal enclosures opposite the opening in the bottom of the external enclosure. Application to the handling and confinement of nuclear material sample holders.

A modularized system for processing, storing and/or disposing of a hazardous waste material is described. In one exemplary embodiment, the modularized system includes a container configured to sealingly contain hazardous waste material; a first cell, the first cell comprising a first area for manipulating the container; and a second cell, the second cell comprising a second area for manipulating the container. The second cell is isolated from the first cell. The first cell is held at a first pressure and the second cell held at a second pressure, the first pressure being less than the second pressure. An interlock couples the first cell to the second cell. The first cell, second cell and interlock are configured to allow the container to be transferred from the first cell to the second cell while maintaining at least one seal between the first cell and the second cell.