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Abstract

An impact amelioration apparatus and system comprising a stationary impact limiter containing a deformable impact-cushioning material that can be used as a kinetic energy-absorbing target against a free falling radioactive waste-laden vessel such as a nuclear waste storage and/or transport cask. In one embodiment, the cushioning material may be one or more layers of pervious concrete encased in a metal outer container, which may be hermetically-sealed in some embodiments. The pervious concrete is crushable upon impact by an accidentally dropped free-falling cask to safely decelerate the cask while preserving the structural radiation containment envelope of the cask to prevent release of radiation to the ambient environment. The stationary impact limiter may located on a support surface in an equipment loading area of a nuclear facility, such as a nuclear power generation plant, beneath an overhead lifting apparatus used to move equipment such as casks into and out of the facility.

First Claim