US 11,728,061 B2
High-density subterranean storage system for nuclear fuel and radioactive waste
Krishna P. Singh, Jupiter, FL (US)
Assigned to Holtec International
Filed by Holtec International, Camden, NJ (US)
Filed on Jul. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/866,797.
Application 17/866,797 is a continuation of application No. 17/200,333, filed on Mar. 12, 2021, granted, now 11,469,008.
Application 17/200,333 is a continuation of application No. 16/453,282, filed on Jun. 26, 2019, granted, now 10,950,361, issued on Mar. 16, 2021.
Application 16/453,282 is a continuation of application No. 15/838,414, filed on Dec. 12, 2017, granted, now 10,446,287, issued on Oct. 15, 2019.
Application 15/838,414 is a continuation of application No. 14/760,215, granted, now 9,852,822, issued on Dec. 26, 2017, previously published as PCT/US2014/010967, filed on Jan. 10, 2014.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/750,986, filed on Jan. 10, 2013.
Prior Publication US 2023/0005635 A1, Jan. 5, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G21F 9/36 (2006.01); B65D 21/02 (2006.01); B09B 1/00 (2006.01); B65D 43/02 (2006.01); G21F 5/14 (2006.01); G21F 7/015 (2006.01); G21F 7/06 (2006.01); B09B 3/20 (2022.01)
CPC G21F 9/36 (2013.01) [B65D 21/0224 (2013.01); B09B 1/006 (2013.01); B09B 1/008 (2013.01); B09B 3/20 (2022.01); B65D 43/02 (2013.01); G21F 5/14 (2013.01); G21F 7/015 (2013.01); G21F 7/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An underground nuclear waste storage system comprising:
an elongated outer shell defining a vertical axis and an internal cavity;
a vertically elongated storage module comprising a body configured for being buried below grade for a majority of its height, the module defining a vertical axis and an internal cavity;
the storage module further comprising a bottom plate and a removable top lid to provide access to the cavity;
a first canister positioned in the cavity in a lower position, the first canister configured for storing nuclear waste therein;
a second canister configured for storing nuclear waste therein and being vertically stacked above the first canister in an upper position in the cavity, the first and second canisters being coaxially aligned with the vertical axis;
an intermediate centering and spacing ring assembly mutually engaging the first and second canisters;
the intermediate centering and spacing ring defining a plurality of radial airflow passageways between the first and second canisters.