[en] In order to optimize future dismantling operations of nuclear installations virtual reality allows the validation of predefined scenarios and their adequacy with the environment. CEA uses an immersion and interactive room to validate maintenance and dismantling operations. The equipment of this room is composed of a video wall that gives a 3-dimensional view of the virtual environment, and of a system for motion capture. For the simulation of handling operations a haptic interface has been designed, it allows the user to receive a tactic and effort-feeling feed back. The immersion is completed by a phonic ambience that creates sounds for virtual operations. The use of the immersion room for optimizing the dismantling of a spent fuel dissolver (MAR 200) used in hot cell is presented. (A.C.)

[en] This invention provides locking nut structures for fuel assembly end fittings. (LL)

[en] SGN and B and W Fuel Company have shown that their Fuel Master second-generation rod consolidation system can achieve good results automatically and quickly with little supervision. Tests have validated consolidation as a feasible, low cost solution to spent fuel storage shortage and shown Fuel Master capable of achieving a 2:1 fuel consolidation and a 10:1 skeleton compaction. The system can be used in conjunction with dry storage, and the consolidated fuel can still be reprocessed. (author)

[en] A method of securing a fuel bundle to permit easy remote disassembly is described. Fuel rods are held loosely between end plates, each end of the rods fitting into holes in the end plates. At the upper end of each fuel rod there is a spring pressing against the end plate. Tie rods are used to hold the end plates together securely. The lower end of each tie rod is screwed into the lower end plate; the upper end of each tie rod is attached to the upper end plate by means of a locking assembly described in the patent. In order to remove the upper tie plate during the disassembly process, it is necessary only to depress the tie plate against the pressure of the springs surrounding the fuel rods and then to rotate each locking sleeve on the tie rods from its locked to its unlocked position. It is then possible to remove the tie plate without disassembling the locking assembly. (LL)

[en] The device is made of a vertical support with a tool carrier providing vertical motion by moving the cutting tool along the fuel channel. The tool carrier has two diametrically arranged cutting tools which can divide the channel into two halves. (G.B.)

[en] The invention concerns a new, simple and inexpensive system for assembling and dismantling a nuclear reactor fuel bundle. Several fuel rods are fitted in parallel rows between two retaining plates which secure the fuel rods in position and which are maintained in an assembled position by means of several stays fixed to the two end plates. The invention particularly refers to an improved apparatus for fixing the stays to the upper plate by using locking fittings secured to rotating sleeves which are applied against this plate

[en] The device comprises recovery and guiding means with both ends, upper and lower, open for recovery of each rod, falling from the support and guiding the rod subjected to its own weight towards the container which is inclined in respect to vertical. The rods are deposited in row through the guide tube inside the container which has preferentially a hexagonal cross section

No abstract available

[en] Before reprocessing fuel pins should be extracted from the hexagonal tube few millimeter-thick, because of swelling axial removal is impossible and the tube should be cut lengthwise. Mechanical and laser cutting are not retained and dismantling is obtained by cracking. In this process a line is heated in surface by the TIG process (Tungsten Inert Gas) and in the heat affected zone embrittlement is produced by a metal wire, which melts and is introduced in grain boundaries of austenitic steel producing cracks. Tests are realized on 4 fuel assemblies of Phenix reactor

[en] The tools and techniques developed in the United States and FR Germany to repair damaged fuels assemblies are examined. Two methods of repair are considered:- removal of damaged fuel rods and replacement with sound rods (reconstitution); and removal of sound rods from one assembly structure and placing them into a fresh assembly structure (reassembly). (UK)