A method of retrofitting a spent nuclear fuel system with a neutron absorbing apparatus. The method includes inserting a neutron absorbing apparatus into a first cell of an array of cells each configured to hold a spent nuclear fuel assembly. The neutron absorbing apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall supported by a corner spine to form a chevron shape and a first locking tab protruding outwardly from the first wall towards a first cell wall of the first cell. The method includes cutting a half-sheared second locking tab in the first cell wall of the first cell adjacent to and above the first locking tab of the neutron absorbing apparatus. Finally, the second locking tab is positioned to locking engage the first locking tab to retain the neutron absorbing apparatus in the first cell during removal of one of the fuel assemblies from the first cell.

A method of retrofitting a spent nuclear fuel system with a neutron absorbing apparatus. The method includes inserting a neutron absorbing apparatus into a first cell of an array of cells each configured to hold a spent nuclear fuel assembly. The neutron absorbing apparatus includes a first wall and a second wall supported by a corner spine to form a chevron shape and a first locking tab protruding outwardly from the first wall towards a first cell wall of the first cell. The method includes cutting a half-sheared second locking tab in the first cell wall of the first cell adjacent to and above the first locking tab of the neutron absorbing apparatus. Finally, the second locking tab is positioned to locking engage the first locking tab to retain the neutron absorbing apparatus in the first cell during removal of one of the fuel assemblies from the first cell.

A recovery tool for recovering a solid element, in particular a radioactive material. The recovery tool includes a chassis, a capture head and at least one cup. The capture head is movable with respect to the chassis between a retracted position and a deployed position. In the retracted position, the capture head is accommodated within a chamber of the recovery tool. In the deployed position, the capture head is able to capture the solid element. The cup is movable with respect to the chassis between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the cup allows the capture head to be deployed. In the closed position of the cup, the cup allows the solid element to be retained within the chamber with the capture head in the retracted position.

A control rod drive replacement device is provided. The control rod drive replacement device includes a first channel for mounting on a support under a nuclear reactor pressure vessel; a first control rod drive extractor removably received in the first channel, the first control rod drive extractor including a first housing configured for receiving a first control rod drive, the first housing being movable between a horizontal orientation in which the first housing is aligned within the first channel and a vertical orientation in which the first housing is aligned for receiving the first control rod drive from the nuclear reactor pressure vessel; a second channel connected on top of the first channel under the nuclear reactor pressure vessel; and a second control rod drive extractor removably received in the second channel, the second control rod drive extractor including a second housing configured for receiving a second control rod drive, the second housing being movable between a horizontal orientation in which the second housing is aligned within the second channel and a vertical orientation in which the second housing is aligned for receiving the second control rod drive from the nuclear reactor pressure vessel.

A container and system for handling damaged nuclear fuel, and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the invention is a damaged fuel container having a specially designed top cap that can be detachably coupled to the elongated tubular wall by simply translating the top cap into proper position within, the elongated tubular wall, wherein biased locking elements automatically lock the top cap to the elongated tubular wall. In another embodiment, the vent screens of the damaged fuel container are integrally formed rather than being separate components. In still other embodiments, the lower vent screens are arranged on an upstanding portion of the damaged fuel container. In an even further embodiment, the elongated tubular wall is formed by an extrusion process.

A container is designed to safely store radioactive debris. The container has an overpack having an elongated body extending between a top end and a bottom end. A basket is situated inside of the overpack. The basket has elongated canisters. Each of the canisters has an elongated body extending between a top end and a bottom end. At least one of the canisters has an insert with a plurality of elongated perforated tubes that contain radioactive debris. The perforations enable gas flow, primarily air, through the side wall to enable evaporation of liquid, primarily water, from the radioactive debris, by increasing the exposed surface area of the debris.

An extraction device for extracting a nuclear fuel rod or a cluster rod comprises an attachment portion configured to be inserted into a sleeve of the rod through an end without an end plug, and a grip portion, the attachment portion comprising an elongated body along a longitudinal axis and at least one tooth projecting from the body, the or each tooth being configured to allow the attachment portion to be forcibly inserted into the sleeve axially, and to engage with the inner surface of the sleeve so as to prevent the attachment portion from being extracted from the sleeve.

An extraction device for extracting a nuclear fuel rod or a cluster rod comprises an attachment portion configured to be inserted into a sleeve of the rod through an end without an end plug, and a grip portion, the attachment portion comprising an elongated body along a longitudinal axis and at least one tooth projecting from the body, the or each tooth being configured to allow the attachment portion to be forcibly inserted into the sleeve axially, and to engage with the inner surface of the sleeve so as to prevent the attachment portion from being extracted from the sleeve.

An intervention device for carrying out intervention on a nuclear fuel assembly comprises an articulated robotic arm (22) comprising a securing base (26), a terminal member (28) and at least one arm segment (30, 32) connecting the base (26) to the terminal member (28), and an intervention member (24) carried by the terminal member (28). The intervention member (24) is designed to intervene on the nuclear fuel assembly (2).

An intervention device for carrying out intervention on a nuclear fuel assembly comprises an articulated robotic arm (22) comprising a securing base (26), a terminal member (28) and at least one arm segment (30, 32) connecting the base (26) to the terminal member (28), and an intervention member (24) carried by the terminal member (28). The intervention member (24) is designed to intervene on the nuclear fuel assembly (2).