Method for shredding and packing fuel assembly cases or similar nuclear reactor structural elements and apparatus for performing the method
US5347555A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 13, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S83/93
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for shredding and packing used structural elements of nuclear reactors, such as fuel assembly cases, comprises the steps of shredding structural elements to scrap pieces; flushing the scrap pieces in a transport container and flushing away highly radioactive particles of foreign matter and collecting the particles in the interior of the transport container; packing the flushed scrap pieces around the particles of foreign matter collected in the interior; and inserting the packed transport container into a sealable disposal container. An apparatus for performing the method includes a shredder assembly, an interchangeable transport container disposed below the shredder assembly; connectors for connecting the transport housing in a liquid cycle; a filter disposed in the liquid cycle; a carriage for laterally displacing the transport container relative to the shredder assembly; and lifting and transportation devices for lifting the transport container and for inserting the transport container into an ultimate disposal container.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.