Problem Statement:

 Design, build, and test a device to be used in a “hot cell” environment that separates full elements from hexagonal grid plate assembly which contains 169 individual fuel elements.

 Background:

 The Idaho National Laboratory (INL), which supports the U.S. Department of Energy in nuclear and energy research, is beginning to process spent nuclear fuel rods from the Hanford Lab in Washington State.  Prior to treatment and disposal, the fuel elements need to be disassembled.  Currently there is no method to separate individual fuel elements which are attached to a fin array.

Separation of individual fuel elements goes on inside a “hot cell”.   The hot cell is a room, full of argon gas, that is exposed to high levels of radiation.  Because of the high levels of radiation, people cannot be in the room.   Any work done in the hot cells must be done by a master slave manipulator (MSM) – a sort of robotic arm controlled by an operator on the other side of a 4 foot thick piece of lead glass.  Steps of separation inside the hot cell include:

1. Cut assembly hex duct open to gain access to fuel elements

2. Remove fuel elements from assembly grid plates

3. Place fuel elements into containers for shipping       

Product Needs:

• Secure hexagonal array sitting on a point

• Remove grid plate pins from assembly

• Remove grid plates one at a time

• Remove fuel elements

• Minimize torque on fuel elements

• Use hot cell compatible materials

• Use common movements with MSM

• Provide holding rack for fuel elements

• Disassembly of fuel rod in one shift