Storage depot for radioactive material

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:864746

Szulinski, Milton J ^[1]

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1. Richland, WA

Vertical drilling of cylindrical holes in the soil, and the lining of such holes, provides storage vaults called caissons. A guarded depot is provided with a plurality of such caissons covered by shielded closures preventing radiation from penetrating through any linear gap to the atmosphere. The heat generated by the radioactive material is dissipated through the vertical liner of the well into the adjacent soil and thus to the ground surface so that most of the heat from the radioactive material is dissipated into the atmosphere in a manner involving no significant amount of biologically harmful radiation. The passive cooling of the radioactive material without reliance upon pumps, personnel, or other factor which might fail, constitutes one of the most advantageous features of this system. Moreover this system is resistant to damage from tornadoes or earthquakes. Hermetically sealed containers of radioactive material may be positioned in the caissons. Loading vehicles can travel throughout the depot to permit great flexibility of loading and unloading radioactive materials. Radioactive material can be shifted to a more closely spaced caisson after ageing sufficiently to generate much less heat. The quantity of material stored in a caisson is restricted by the average capacity for heat dissipation of the soil adjacent such caisson.

• Research Organization: Atlantic Richfield Hanford Co., Richland, WA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AT(45-1)-2130
• Assignee: Szulinski; Milton J. (Richland, WA)
• Patent Number(s): US 4410802
• OSTI ID: 864746
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

storage
depot
radioactive
material
vertical
drilling
cylindrical
holes
soil
lining
provides
vaults
called
caissons
guarded
provided
plurality
covered
shielded
closures
preventing
radiation
penetrating
linear
gap
atmosphere
heat
generated
dissipated
liner
adjacent
ground
surface
manner
involving
significant
amount
biologically
harmful
passive
cooling
reliance
pumps
personnel
factor
fail
constitutes
advantageous
features
moreover
resistant
damage
tornadoes
earthquakes
hermetically
sealed
containers
positioned
loading
vehicles
travel
throughout
permit
flexibility
unloading
materials
shifted
closely
spaced
caisson
ageing
sufficiently
generate
quantity
stored
restricted
average
capacity
dissipation
biologically harmful
radioactive material
hermetically sealed
passive cooling
active material
closely spaced
sealed container
heat generated
radioactive materials
heat dissipation
ground surface
active materials
significant amount
sealed containers
unloading radioactive
hermetically seal
cylindrical holes
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