METHOD FOR EXTRACTING SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLIES STUCK IN THE CELLS OF THE COVER Russian patent published in 2022 - IPC G21C19/10 G21C19/33 B08B3/12 

FIELD: nuclear engineeringю

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the field of nuclear engineering, in particular to the handling of spent nuclear fuel when it is unloaded from storage facilities, and in particular to a method for removing spent fuel assemblies (SFA) stuck in storage case cells. The method consists in pulling SFAs into a reloading cask. In the process of pulling, the SFA is exposed to ultrasonic vibrations through a technological grip using three ultrasonic transducers, one of which generates longitudinal axial vibrations, the second one generates ultrasonic vibrations directed at an angle to the motion axis, and the third ultrasonic transducer generates torsional vibrations around the axis through the bracket. The frequency of ultrasonic vibrations is regulated in the range from 18 to 40 kHz.

EFFECT: reduced friction between the SFA and the hood cell due to the use of ultrasound, which makes it possible, without exceeding the maximum allowable unloading force, to remove stuck SFAs from the storage hood, which were previously left unloaded, and reload them into a transport case placed in a shipping container.

1 cl, 2 dwg