Abstract: A method of separating radioactive cut material from non-radioactive abrasive cutting material is disclosed herein. The method includes the steps: determining a magnetic susceptibility of a radioactive material to be cut; selecting a magnetic susceptibility of a radioactive material to be used with a water jet cutting tool such that the abrasive cutting material has a different magnetic susceptibility than the radioactive material to be cut; capturing a mixture of radioactive cut material and abrasive material generated during operation of the water jet cutting tool; and separating the radioactive cut material from the abrasive cutting material using a magnetic filter.

Abstract: A system and method for filling, dewatering and sealing high integrity containers for storing high level radioactive debris has a support structure for receiving a container and a movable hood supported over the support structure. The movable hood is movable between a filling/dewatering position, an intermediate position, and a sealing position. Fill and dewatering lines extend through the hood and have flexible lower portions with connectors for interfacing with the container to be filled. The flexible lower portions are movable into and out of engagement with respective connectors on the container when the hood is in the filling/dewatering position. A plurality of valves are provided to isolate the fill and dewatering lines to minimize release of radioactive debris during connector mating and demating operations. A straw extends through the hood for removing water from an upper volume of the container when the hood is in the intermediate position.

Abstract: Anchor assembly apparatus for improving the structural integrity of a guide tube (26) in a nuclear fuel bundle (20). A sleeve (100) has a proximate end (102) and a distal end (104) that is adapted for insertion into a receiving end (38) of the guide tube. A pin (140) has a near end (142) and a far end (144) adapted for insertion into the sleeve at the sleeve's proximate end. The pin has an external surface (148) that applies a radial force to an inner surface (118) of the sleeve when the pin is inserted into the sleeve. The force is sufficient to cause a locking surface (120) on the sleeve to expand radially outward.

Abstract: A filtration system for concentrating radioactive debris particulate provides efficient filtration, concentration and transport to collection canisters of radioactive particles from a refueling cavity, spent fuel pool, or other water volume where small particles must be removed from the water. The system includes a flushing pump module that draws contaminated water from a cut zone enclosure. The flushing pump module has a separator that removes large size particulate from the contaminated water. A solid media filter module receives the contaminated water from the flushing pump module and removes medium size particulate from the contaminated water. The solid media filter module has a structure for ejecting the medium size particulate and passing the ejected particulate to a concentrate handling module having a purge tank and a slurry transfer pump. A disposal canister station receives the medium size particulate from the slurry transfer pump and fills disposal canisters for transport and storage.

Abstract: A magnetic filtration system for separating radioactive cut material from a fluid stream containing a mixture of the radioactive cut material and an abrasive cutting material. The system comprises a magnetic filter in fluid communication with the fluid stream. By selecting an abrasive cutting material having a different magnetic susceptibility than the radioactive material being cut, the abrasive cutting material can be separated from the radioactive cut material with the magnetic filter. The amount of high level radioactive material is thereby reduced for handling and disposal. The magnetic filter is part of a closed-loop system that extracts a fluid stream containing a mixture of abrasive cutting material and radioactive cut material from an enclosure in which an abrasive waterjet cutting tool is operated. Other filters are provided in the system for removing the radioactive cut particulate from the fluid stream in multiple stages according to a size of the particulate.

Abstract: A pair of openings are formed using an EDM technique. A pair of clamps are inserted into the openings and moved toward each other until such time as the inboard edges of the two openings are engaged. A pair of EDM cutters are used to cut a pair of slots which extend from one opening to the other. Upon completion of these slots, the sample, which remains clamped between the two clamps, is withdrawn and lowered back down the conduit to a remote collection point.

Abstract: A nuclear power plant fuel transfer tube quick operating remote closure device (10) comprised of a reducing ring (20) and a cover assembly (60). The reducing ring (20) is bolted to the transfer tube housing flange (12). Rotation of a chuck key advances jaws on the cover assembly (60) which feed closure latches (78) into a groove (40) on the reducing ring (20). The upper surface (80) of each latch (78) has a bevelled surface (82) corresponding to a bevelled surface (42) of the groove (40). As the latches (78) engage the groove bevelled surface (42), the entire cover assembly (60) is uniformly drawn toward the reducing ring (20). Machined seal faces (13, 30, 44, 68) and O rings (36, 74) provide a fluid and air tight seal between the transfer tube housing flange (12) and the sealing ring (20) and between the cover assembly (60) and the sealing ring (20).

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing a joint between an inclined base surface having a leak path and a mating end surface of a hollow body surrounding the leak path. Compression gasket means receive an asymmetric preload force applied through the hollow body from an environmental pressure preloading element having a variable spring constant in register with the joint. The preloading element is a ring-shaped body of a given thickness of an asymmetric radial structure defined by a plurality of unlike radially inwardly directed through slots open to its periphery and axially stacked.