A system for removing and consolidating the fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly.

摘要

A system (1) and a method for removing and consolidating the spent fuel rods of a nuclear fuel assembly, comprises a pushing assembly (3) having a push rod (5) for pushing a selected fuel rod out of a fuel assembly; the system includes a fuel assembly positioner (12) including an elevator (13) for conveniently positioning a fuel assembly within the spent fuel pool (2) of a nuclear facility, a rod catching grid (21) for preventing the pushed-out fuel rods from falling to the bottom of the pool and a transition cannister (23) for funneling the rods into a consolidated arrangement within a storage cannister (31). The push rod (5) is positioned over and engaged on the upper end of a fuel rod to be removed from the assembly. Thus engaged, the push rod (5) is guidingly pushed through the cells in the grids of the fuel assembly that surround the selected fuel rod, thereby pushing it out of the fuel assembly.