Patent ID: 8130895
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: G21C,G21F,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of packaging leaky fuel rods for transport and subsequent storage of at least 50 years, each leaky fuel rod containing pellets of fuel material in tubular cladding and being closed at ends of the tubular cladding and having a sealing defect, each leaky fuel rod coming from at least one fuel assembly and being deposited in a first step underwater in a pool, the method comprising: making available a plurality of capsules, each of the plurality of capsules for receiving one of the leaky fuel rods, and each of the plurality of capsules including a tubular sheath and two end plugs, at least one of the two end plugs, comprising a top end plug and a bottom end plug being removable, each of the plurality of capsules having a longitudinal axis; placing a loading structure in the pool, the loading structure having a plurality of locations, each location being capable of receiving one of the plurality of capsules so that the longitudinal axes of the plurality of capsules are in a vertical orientation, the loading structure having an open top end; securing, on the open top end, a device for loading one of the leaky fuel rods into one of the at least one capsule, the device for loading having an opening and a guide device capable of being placed at the opening; inserting the leaky fuel rods in the pool one by one into empty ones of the plurality of capsules in the loading structure at a loading location of the plurality of locations, the inserting for each leaky fuel rod including: unscrewing the top end plug of a respective capsule of the plurality of capsules; placing the leaky fuel rod into the respective capsule via the guide device; and screwing the top end plug at the top of the capsule at the top end of the capsule back into place; moving each capsule containing the leaky fuel rod from the loading location to another location of the plurality of locations of the loading structure different from the loading location; and transporting and storing the capsules containing the leaky fuel rods.