METHOD AND CHAMBER FOR DISMANTLING NUCLEAR REACTOR SPENT FUEL FOR ITS NEXT STORAGE Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: recovery of spent nuclear fuel. SUBSTANCE: method for dismantling spent two-bundle fuel assembly and preparing it for next storage includes cutting of hanger and separation of fuel assembly into fuel bundles in dismantling cavity, installation of fuel bundles in ampoules and closing the latter with caps, loading of hanger and ampoules holding fuel bundles in seats of cans specially designed for the purpose, and installation of these cans upon their filling up into transport containers. Hanger is cut off and fuel assembly is separated into fuel bundles while lower bundle of fuel assembly is disposed in tilter can mounted for displacement in dismantling cavity. Both fuel bundles are placed in ampoules pre- installed in small cavities; prior to removing lower fuel bundle from tilter can and placing it in ampoule can it turned through 180 deg. in vertical plane. Dismantling chamber implementing this method has crane moving along longitudinal axis of chamber and at least one unit of equipment in the form of two cantilever cranes, receiving seat, dismantling cavity, small cavity to receive upper fuel bundle, clamping devices disposed on dismantling chamber and small cavity, respectively, cutting machine mounted for setting its cutting element coaxially to dismantling chamber, manipulator, transport containers with cans for holding fuel bundles, and hangers for fuel assemblies and ampoules with caps. Dismantling chamber is provided with other small cavity accommodating clamping device; dismantling cavity accommodates tilter with can mounted for displacement along its vertical axis. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities. 9 cl, 14 dwg