CPC G21F 5/015 (2013.01) [G21F 5/06 (2013.01)] | 20 Claims |
1. A method for forming a structurally reinforcing a fuel basket of a nuclear fuel storage system, the method comprising:
providing a fuel basket comprising a plurality of vertically stacked and interlocked slotted plates, the slotted plates collectively defining pluralities of vertical exterior sidewalls and vertically-elongated interior storage cells each of which is configured to hold a fuel assembly comprising spent nuclear fuel, a plurality of lateral plate extensions formed by end portions of slotted plates, the plate extensions protruding laterally outward beyond the exterior sidewalls of the fuel basket;
fixedly coupling a plurality of vertically elongated reinforcement members to the plate extensions; and
inserting the fuel basket with coupled reinforcement members into an upwardly cavity of a cylindrical nuclear fuel storage canister.
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