Disposition of Skeleton Hardware from Spent Fuel Consolidation

Rod consolidation has the potential for significantly increasing the on-site storage capacity of reactor's sent fuel storage pools. The cost, operational practicality, and overall consolidation efficiency, however, are likely to be highly dependent on the manner in which the scrap non fuel bearing components (NFBC) are treated, packaged and stored. Materials contained in typical fuel skeletons were surveyed and analyzed to determine the critical parameters (radioisotopes, mass, activation levels, decay characteristics) effecting storage, handling and disposal alternatives. Alternative processing, packaging and atplant storage schemes (wet and dry) are being studied and compared. A full report on this study by Rochester Gas and Electric, sponsored by EPRI and ESEERCO, will be issued by EPRI later this year.