Neutron shielding ring, apparatus and method using the same for storing high level radioactive waste

摘要

An apparatus, system and method for storing high level radioactive waste. In one aspect, the invention is a specially designed ring structure for providing neutron and gamma radiation shielding for high level radioactive materials that produce residual heat. A plurality of the ring structures may be arranged in a stacked assembly that completely surrounds an internal containment boundary. Collars may be provided at the ring-to-ring interfaces. The ring structures may have voids which are configured for receiving neutron absorbing material that completely surrounds the containment boundary.

主权项

1. An apparatus for transporting and/or storing radioactive materials, the apparatus comprising:
a containment structure forming a cavity for receiving radioactive materials, the containment structure forming a containment boundary about the cavity; plurality of ring structures, each of the plurality of ring structures comprising:
an outer wall, a middle wall and an inner wall, the outer wall being spaced from and concentric with the middle wall, the middle wall being spaced from and concentric with the inner wall;a plurality of first fins extending between the inner wall and the middle wall to form a plurality of first voids, each of the plurality of first voids extending from a top surface of the ring structure to a bottom surface of the ring structure; anda plurality of second fins extending between the middle wall and the outer wall to form a plurality of second voids, each of the plurality of second voids extending from the top surface of the ring structure to a bottom surface of the ring structure; andwherein the plurality of first fins are circumferentially offset from the plurality of second fins so that a linear path does not exist from an inner surface of the inner wall to an outer surface of the outer wall without passing through at least one of the plurality of first voids or at least one of the plurality of second voids; the plurality of ring structures arranged in a stacked assembly in which: (1) a ring-to-ring interface is formed between the top and bottom surfaces of adjacent ones of the plurality of ring structures in the stacked assembly; (2) a central passageway extends axially through the plurality of ring structures in the stacked assembly; (3) each of the plurality of first voids of each of the plurality of ring structures in the stacked assembly is in spatial communication with at least one of the plurality of first voids of an adjacent one of the plurality of ring structures of the stacked assembly; and (4) each of the plurality of second voids of each of the plurality of ring structures in the stacked assembly is in spatial communication with at least one of the plurality of second voids of an adjacent one of the plurality of ring structures of the stacked assembly; and the containment, structure disposed within the central passageway.