Flexible, Integrated Modular Used Nuclear Fuel Storage, Transportation, and Disposal Canister System

The present invention comprises an integrated, multi-canister system with superior assembly and burnup/age capacity that reduces total life-cycle cost for used fuel disposition while improving overall safety. The design of the invention enables multi-modal use and increased flexibility in all current and future used fuel disposition operations. Unique design features enable the following: handling individual canisters separately or collectively within the system’s overpack; allows storage and transportation of high burnup fuel (>45 GWd/MTU); potentially reduces cask loading and drying time; enables higher percent of fuel to meet subcriticality requirements; provides first fuel cask system with features for handling damaged fuel assemblies after transport; able to meet geologic disposal thermal management requirements for all media; reusable cask container system; eliminates or reduces need for future repackaging; and reductions in overall radiation exposure and fuel handling risk

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