Patent US3911684A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3911684A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for utilizing decay heat from radioactive nuclear wastes
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1974-08-29
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Granted: 1975-10-14
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Expires: 1994-08-29
Abstract
Abstract Management of radioactive heat-producing waste material while safely utilizing the heat thereof is accomplished by encapsulating the wastes after a cooling period, transporting the capsules to a facility including a plurality of vertically disposed storage tubes, lowering the capsules as they arrive at the facility into the storage tubes, cooling the storage tubes by circulating a gas thereover, employing the so heated gas to obtain an economically beneficial result, and continually adding waste capsules to the facility as they arrive thereat over a substantial period of time.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold M Busey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:24
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21H; G21H1/00; F; F03; F03G; F03G7/00; F03G7/025; F03G7/0252
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of disposing of high-level radioactive fission products or waste materials and simultaneously utilizing the heat therefrom, comprising solidifying the wastes, encapsulating the solidified wastes, transferring the encapsulated solidified wastes to a facility having a large excess of capacity and lowering them into one of a plurality of vertically disposed storage tubes present therein, cooling the storage tubes by circulating a gas thereover and utilizing the heat of the heated gas, and continually adding waste capsules to the facility as they arrive at the facility over a substantial period of time.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of disposing of high-level radioactive fission products or waste materials and simultaneously utilizing the heat therefrom, comprising solidifying the wastes, encapsulating the solidified wastes, transferring the encapsulated solidified wastes to a facility having a large excess of capacity and lowering them into one of a plurality of vertically disposed storage tubes present therein, cooling the storage tubes by circulating a gas thereover and utilizing the heat of the heated gas, and continually adding waste capsules to the facility as they arrive at the facility over a substantial period of time.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method according to claim 1 wherein atmospheric air cools the storage tubes by convection when the facility is shut down.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
Method according to claim 2 wherein the storage tubes are cooled with air by convection at the end of the period of useful facility life for an extended time, following which the heating chamber is filled with concrete for permanant disposal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3046403A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-13 | 1979-04-14 | 1979-10-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-13 | 1983-04-14 | 1983-10-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-13 | 1987-04-14 | 1987-10-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |