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System and method for consolidating spent nuclear fuel

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7003681

A system is described for consolidating spent fuel rods from a nuclear fuel assembly into a box for placement in a fuel storage area, comprising: a. a fuel assembly disassembly station including a vertically oriented disassembly enclosure having an open upper end; b. a fuel transfer station including a vertically oriented transfer enclosure having an open upper end; c. a fuel consolidation station including a vertically oriented consolidation enclosure having an open upper end; d. a generally tapered fuel transfer canister fully and removably insertable within the transfer enclosure, having an open upper end and a smaller lower end removably insertable within the open upper end of the consolidation enclosure. The canister includes means therewithin for guiding fuel rods inserted at the upper end into more closely packed array at the lower end; and c. a fuel consolidation box open at least at the upper end and removably located within the consolidation enclosure, having a uniform cross sectional area substantially the same as the cross sectional area of the lower end of the transfer canister.

Assignee:
Combustion Engineering, Inc., Windsor, CT
Patent Number(s):
US 4619808
OSTI ID:
7003681
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English