Method of preparing spent nuclear fuel rods for long-term storage

US4491540A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Asea Aktiebolag · SE

Inventors

• Hans Larker · Robertsfors, SE
• Ragnar Tegman · Robertsfors, SE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 17, 1982
• Grant date: Jan 1, 1985
• Expiry date: Mar 17, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G21F9/36
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Spent fuel rods from a nuclear reactor are enclosed in a body of copper, the fuel rods being embedded in copper powder in a copper container provided with a copper lid. The container with its contents and lid are then subjected to isostatic compression at a pressure and temperature sufficient to form a coherent dense mass unit of the powder, the container and the lid which embeds the fuel rods. The container can be enclosed in a sealed gas-tight capsule prior to the isostatic compression. A preliminary isostatic compression may be conducted at a lower temperature to effect creep deformation of the container, the lid and the powder.