Abstract: A method for manufacturing nuclear reactor fuel assembly. The method comprises applying a protective coating on fuel elements, wherein each fuel element is moved through a protective coating application device installed on an assembly stand. The protective coating comprises a water-soluble lubricant consisting of nonylphenol ethoxylate and monobasic unsaturated fatty acids. The method further comprises installing the coated fuel elements into grid cells of an assembly, wherein during the installing, each coated fuel element is moved on the assembly stand in a horizontal direction along its own axis into the grid cells. At least part of the steps of applying a protective coating and installing the coated fuel elements occur simultaneously. After installing the coating, top and bottom nozzles are attached to the assembly. After attaching the top and bottom nozzles, the fuel elements are washed to remove the protective coating from the fuel elements, which are subsequently dried.

Abstract: Method of fuel elements installation into fuel assemblies including fuel elements fabrication and control operations, application of a protective coating on each fuel element, installation of prepared fuel elements into a fuel assembly, attachment of top and bottom nozzles, washing off of the protective coating and drying. The protective coating application and fuel elements installation are combined using a water soluble lubricant containing nonylphenol ethoxylate and monobasic unsaturated fatty acids as protective coating, which is applied on the surface of the fuel element being moved during fuel elements installation in the fuel assembly on an assembly stand in horizontal direction along its own axis to the cells of grids through a protective coating application device installed on the assembly stand. The protective coating is washed off using water jets under pressure at room temperature.