Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a boiling water reactor fuel channel for storage in which the fuel channel is sealed with an outer sleeve that is closed at its upper and lower ends. The sleeve, which is made of a malleable metal is then laterally compacted and sheared into segments suitable for transport and/or storage.

Abstract: A method for extracting tritium from irradiated boiling water reactor control rods that have cruciform-shaped. Bands of a malleable metal are wrapped around the flat portions of the blades, one band near the top of each blade panel and a second band near the bottom. The bands are crimped and an inlet penetration is formed through one of the bands and the panel and an outlet penetration is formed through the second band and the panel. A termination of each end of a closed loop conduit is sealably connected to the inlet and outlet for transporting a carrier gas through the interior of the panel. The carrier gas passing through the interior transports the tritium out of the panel to a tritium getter filter to capture the tritium. The carrier gas then recirculates through the system.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a blade section of a boiling water reactor control rod for transport or storage that cuts the control rod spline into four substantially equal longitudinal sections, with each longitudinal section including one control rod blade. Each longitudinal section is radiologically characterized and the locations of desired lateral segmentation are identified. A band of malleable metal is wrapped around each longitudinal section at each of the locations and the bands are sheared to separate segments of the longitudinal section and the ends of the bands are crimped at the point of shearing to seal the interior of the segments.

Abstract: A method for extracting tritium from irradiated boiling water reactor control rods that have cruciform-shaped. Bands of a malleable metal are wrapped around the flat portions of the blades, one band near the top of each blade panel and a second band near the bottom. The bands are crimped and an inlet penetration is formed through one of the bands and the panel and an outlet penetration is formed through the second band and the panel. A termination of each end of a closed loop conduit is sealably connected to the inlet and outlet for transporting a carrier gas through the interior of the panel. The carrier gas passing through the interior transports the tritium out of the panel to a tritium getter filter to capture the tritium. The carrier gas then recirculates through the system.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a boiling water reactor fuel channel for storage in which the fuel channel is sealed with an outer sleeve that is closed at its upper and lower ends. The sleeve, which is made of a malleable metal is then laterally compacted and sheared into segments suitable for transport and/or storage.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a blade section of a boiling water reactor control rod for transport or storage that cuts the control rod spline into four substantially equal longitudinal sections, with each longitudinal section including one control rod blade. Each longitudinal section is radiologically characterized and the locations of desired lateral segmentation are identified. A band of malleable metal is wrapped around each longitudinal section at each of the locations and the bands are sheared to separate segments of the longitudinal section and the ends of the bands are crimped at the point of shearing to seal the interior of the segments.

Abstract: A method of segmenting and packaging an irradiated hardware component for storage or shipment. Radiological and physical characteristics of the components are first mapped over its surface. A segmenting plan and a loading plan is then determined that sets forth where over the surface of the components lateral segments are to be made from a map obtained from the mapping step taken into consideration any licensing restrictions and requirements of the facility in which the casks is to be stored with the view to maximizing the loading of the casks. The irradiated components are then segmented in accordance with the segmenting plan and loaded into the casks in accordance with the loading plan.

Abstract: A metal cutting motor driven saw blade carried by a housing structure for anchoring inside the fuel storage cell forms part of apparatus that is used in method to reduce the volume of radiologically contaminated metal racks after use for storing nuclear fuel assemblies under water in a storage pool. The motor driven saw is supported by a linear bearing that can be displaced by an actuator laterally with respect to a housing structure which is provided with piston and cylinder assemblies on two adjacent side walls to serve as releasable anchors. The linear actuator presses the saw blade against a side wall of a fuel storage cell causing part of a blade segment to penetrate the side wall. Thereafter, a drive shaft supported by bearings in the housing structure is rotated to displace the motor driven saw about a radial path of travel for severing the remaining portions of the wall of the fuel cell.