Terrapower, LLC

Owen Dean Nelson

Jesse R Cheatham, Iii

Ashok Odedra

Calen Kaneko

Samuel J Miller

John E Truax

P Harley Park

Peter W Gibbons

David L Major

Stephen W Hiller

Shirly I Rodriguez Rojas

A method of handling spent nuclear fuel assemblies immerses the spent nuclear fuel assemblies in water in a relatively short time period when compared to traditional methods. A spent nuclear fuel assembly is removed from a nuclear reactor, an inert gas is applied to the fuel assembly, moisture content in the inert gas is gradually increased as it is applied to the fuel assembly, and the fuel assembly is immersed in water. The fuel assembly is immersed relatively quickly, within about 2 hours or less, which improves safety and allows normal processing and handling equipment to care for the fuel assembly. The fuel assembly may then be loaded into a cask for long-term storage and/or disposal.

Fuel handling system, layout, and process for nuclear reactor

A rod transfer assembly has an outer rotating plug. A pick-up arm assembly extends from the outer rotating plug and includes a pivoting arm. An inner rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the outer rotating plug and is rotatable independent of a rotation of the outer rotating plug. An access port rotating plug is disposed off-center from and within the inner rotating plug and is rotatable independent of rotation of the outer and inner rotating plugs. A pull arm extends from the access port rotating plug.

In-vessel rod handling systems

Growing community of inventors

Richland, WA, United States of America

Owen Dean Nelson