Abstract: A treating process for the separation of coated nuclear fuel particles from a graphitic matrix in which the nuclear fuel particles are embedded, which is employed in an installation for the conditioning of graphitic fuel elements of high-temperature nuclear reactors. The graphite which encompasses the nuclear fuel particles is conducted away through the action of a brush which isolates the nuclear fuel particles together with their coatings or the nuclear particles themselves, and wherein the nuclear fuel particles which are contained in the brushed product are then separated from the comminuted graphite. The nuclear fuel particles are worked out of the graphitic matrix through the action of the bristles of the brush which conduct the graphite away, but in which the coated nuclear fuel particles when they are contained within hard coatings or the nuclear fuel particles themselves, remain preserved.

Abstract: A treating process is provided for the separation of coated nuclear fuel particles from a graphitic matrix in which the nuclear fuel particles are embedded, and an installation provides for the conditioning of graphitic fuel elements of high-temperature nuclear reactors. The graphite which encompasses the nuclear fuel particles is conducted away through the action of a brush which isolates the nuclear fuel particles together with their coatings or the nuclear particles themselves. The nuclear fuel particles which are contained in the brushed product are then separated from the comminuted graphite.

Abstract: Spent nuclear fuel elements of spherical shape are stripped of their outer graphite shell surrounding the graphite matrix in which fuel particles are embedded by being admitted one by one to a work space between a rotary milling disk and an axially shiftable, but non-rotary, reaction disk. The radially ribbed stepped surfaces of low-pitched helical configuration allow the spherical body to shift its position several times per revolution as it rolls around between the disks under pressure from a spring acting on the axially movable disk. A spacing collar prevents the two disks from approaching closer than a minimum spacing sufficient to prevent more than the outer graphite shell to be worn away. By operating the work space with two or more spheres therein at the same time, a damaged or out-of-round fuel element can be ground to a spherical shape if at least one of the spheres in the work space is truly spherical. Pairs of disks may be operated together in coaxial alignment to provide a high throughput rate.