Automated Fuel Element Closure Welding System
The Automated Fuel Element Closure Welding System is a robotic device that will load and weld top end plugs onto nuclear fuel elements in a highly radioactive and inert gas environment. The system was developed at Argonne National Laboratory-West as part of the Fuel Cycle Demonstration. The welding system performs four main functions, it (1) injects a small amount of a xenon/krypton gas mixture into specific fuel elements, and (2) loads tiny end plugs into the tops of fuel element jackets, and (3) welds the end plugs to the element jackets, and (4) performs a dimensional inspection of the pre- and post-welded fuel elements. The system components are modular to facilitate remote replacement of failed parts. The entire system can be operated remotely in manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic modes using a computer control system. The welding system is currently undergoing software testing and functional checkout.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., Idaho Falls, ID (United States). Fuel Cycle Div.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 10147044
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/FC/CP-77769; CONF-930403-43; ON: DE93009972
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 5. topical meeting on robotics and remote systems,Knoxville, TN (United States),26-29 Apr 1993; Other Information: PBD: [1993]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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