Dry Rod Consolidation Advancements in the OCRWM Programs

Repackaging techniques for geological disposal of spent fuel are being investigated by the Idaho Operations Office of the U.S. Department of Energy. To start this program, the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory constructed remotely operated equipment to pull rods from assemblies and stack them horizontally in new containers. Forty-eight PWR assemblies were compacted in 1987. The data on rod pulling forces, external contamination, etc. are summarized. Five companies have submitted preliminary designs for prototype production systems. Three have been selected to complete these designs. One or two of the latter will be constructed and thoroughly tested in the next few years.