Ventilated Radioactive Cask Storage Pad for Triangular Arrays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage systems for hazardous radioactive materials are space-inefficient and require extensive area for storage, necessitating larger enclosures due to the layout of air inlets and outlets for convective air flow, which also complicates inspections and increases radiation exposure.

Innovation Solution

A ventilated storage system utilizing a storage pad with integrated air inlet paths allows for a compact triangular storage array of casks, eliminating lateral air inlets and outlets, enabling closer cask placement and reducing areal requirements while improving seismic stability and inspection efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If lateral air inlets and outlets are used for convective air flow, then cooling function is provided, but storage area efficiency deteriorates and cask placement proximity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling functionVSAvoidstorage area efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The air inlet paths are integrated into the storage pad structure itself rather than being separate lateral components. The storage pad contains a network of air inlet passages that distribute cooled air directly to the cask inlet ports, merging the ventilation function with the storage infrastructure and eliminating the need for lateral inlets that would consume storage space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The air inlet system transitions from a lateral (horizontal) configuration to a vertical/directional configuration where air flows through the storage pad underneath the casks and enters through the bottom of each cask. This dimensional change allows casks to be positioned closer together while maintaining adequate airflow paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If lateral air inlets and outlets are provided, then convective cooling is achieved, but inspection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvective coolingVSAvoidinspection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The air inlet function is extracted from the cask structure itself and relocated to the storage pad infrastructure. The casks only require simple bottom inlet ports, while the complex air distribution network is contained within the storage pad, making inspections simpler as the inlet mechanism is now part of the stationary pad rather than moving or complex cask components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If extensive area is allocated for storage, then radiation exposure is reduced, but storage capacity per unit area deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation exposureVSAvoidstorage capacity per unit area

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple casks are arranged in a shared ventilation zone where the storage pad's air inlet network serves multiple casks simultaneously. This merging of ventilation resources allows closer spacing of casks while maintaining adequate cooling and radiation shielding, thereby increasing storage capacity per unit area without compromising safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If casks are positioned in close proximity, then storage density improves, but seismic stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage densityVSAvoidseismic stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The storage pad structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the air inlet distribution network for convective cooling, acts as a seismic isolation and stabilization platform for closely spaced casks, and maintains radiation shielding. This multi-functionality allows close cask spacing for high storage density while the robust pad structure provides seismic stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves a more space-efficient storage solution with reduced radiation exposure and improved seismic performance, simplifying inspections and optimizing storage capacity in limited areas.

Implementation Method 1

The storage pad provides structural support and stability to the casks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

passive heat removal features, and additional radiation shielding for the inner metal canister that contains the radioactive material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250218614A1Ventilated Storage System and Method Enabling Triangular Storage Array of Casks that Contain Hazardous Radioactive Materials

Publication Date: 2025.07.03 NAC INTERNATIONAL INC

AI summary

Embodiments of a ventilated storage system and method are provided for enabling space-efficient storage of casks containing hazardous nuclear materials. Each of a plurality of dry storage casks has a ventilated overpack with air inlets at or near the bottom and air outlets at or near the top so that ambient air flows into the air inlets, through the overpack, and out of the air outlets for venting and cooling the hazardous nuclear material. A storage pad on which the casks sit each have a plurality of air flow channels that provide air to the air inlets situated at the bottoms of the casks. The storage pad enables the casks to be placed closer together in a more space-efficient triangular array.