Method of, and apparatus for, cutting

摘要

An object, such as a bundle of fuel pins 12, is cut at an intermediate position along its length by immersing it up to that position in an inert liquid 72, and covering the inert liquid with a thin layer of dissolvent liquid 70 of lower density. The rate of dissolution may be enhanced electrochemically, by making the object 12 an anode and arranging a cathode 42, e.g. a basket to retain the cutpieces near it in the dissolvent liquid. The dissolvent liquid may be continuously recycled, the level being maintained by an overflow or weir 53.