SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PASSIVE COOLING DURING NUCLEAR FUEL TRANSFER

摘要

Systems and methods of cooling spent nuclear fuel during the transfer from a spent nuclear fuel pool to a storage or transfer cask are disclosed. A canister containing spent nuclear fuel is inserted into a transfer cask. The transfer cask includes spacing components which define an annular region between the transfer cask and the canister. The transfer cask includes air inlets near a bottom end that permit air to flow through the defined annular region and exit at the open top of the transfer cask, thereby cooling the fuel within the canister. The transfer cask further comprises a neutron shield configured to absorb additional heat and shield radiation that may be generated within the canister. The spent nuclear fuel canister is then transferred from the transfer cask to a storage cask or a transport cask for storage in an on-site or in an off-site storage facility.

主权项

1. A transfer cask system that implements passive cooling, comprising:
a first cylindrical container having a first side wall, a first top, and a first bottom that define a first interior that contains spent nuclear fuel; and a second cylindrical container having a second side wall, a second top, and a second bottom that define a second interior that contains the first cylindrical container, the second side wall being spaced from the first side wall to define an annular air passage, the second side wall having air inlets near the second bottom and an opening at the second top that permit air to flow from the air inlets, through the annular air passage, and to the opening to thereby remove heat by convection from the first cylindrical container.