Method and apparatus for dismantling fuel storage racks

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. A segment of the fuel cell is freed from the welded construction of the storage racks whereupon the segment is subdivided by a crop saw, then crushed to reduce its requirement for storage space in a long term storage facility.