Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel for decommissioning and removal, comprising the steps of: installing reactor vessel closure plates onto the vessel;  injecting concrete into the vessel;  installing a first shielding ring around main nozzles of the vessel;  enclosing the vessel with a second shielding ring;  welding longitudinal seams of the first shielding ring;  welding longitudinal seams of the second shielding ring;  welding the second shielding ring to the first shielding ring;  placing the vessel on shipping cradles; and  tightening a longitudinal restraint mechanism to the vessel. 2. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the concrete is wet, low density cellular concrete. claim 1 3. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the concrete has a density between 0.721 g/cm 3  to 1.041 g/cm 3 . claim 1 4. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of preparing the concrete on-site with foaming agents and curing additives. claim 1 5. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of circulating air into the vessel to remove heat from inside the vessel. claim 1 6. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 5 , wherein the step of circulating air into the vessel is performed prior to the step of injecting the concrete into the vessel. claim 5 7. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of allowing the vessel to vent and cool. claim 1 8. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: claim 1 removing the closure plates;  verifying that the vessel includes a requisite amount of the concrete;  verifying that there are no empty spaces in the vessel; and  confirming that no free standing water is in the vessel. 9. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the first shielding ring is steel and is externally installed around the main nozzles of the vessel. claim 1 10. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 9 , wherein the second shielding ring has substantially the same composition as the first shielding ring and is externally installed around a core area of the vessel. claim 9 11. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: claim 1 lowering the vessel into the second shielding ring; and  mechanically fastening the second shielding ring to the vessel. 12. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: claim 1 using temporary mechanical fasteners to hold the first and second shielding rings in place; and  removing the temporary mechanical fasteners after the first and second shielding rings are welded. 13. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure plates are welded to the vessel. claim 1 14. The method of packaging a nuclear reactor vessel according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of installing impact limiters on each end of the vessel. claim 1