What's the Best Term for Damaged Nuclear Fuel Handling?

[Jack8rkin]

Hello everyone!
Anybody deals with nuclear waste?
I got a question about the maintenance vessel Lepse, which is fully loaded with radwaste.
Here is a link:
http://www.bellona.org/english_import_area/about_bellona/33320
There are many cases (or tubes) containing one spent fuel assembly each, as well as caissons (basically tube-like containers) filled with several damaged fuel assemblies each.
The assemblies are in bad condition and, as I understand, some parts are broken off of them, some fuel is spilled.

1. What would you call the things that are broken off the FAs, including nuclear fuel?
Is it "debris" or "spillage"?

2. What would you call the eqipment to remove the fuel assembleis from the ship?
Is it "retrieval equipment" or "unloading equipment"?

Please, share your experience.

Thank you

 

[Astronuc]

Apparently Lepse contains spent fuel from the Lenin icebreaker.
http://www.bellona.org/english_import_area/international/russia/civilian_nuclear_vessels/icebreakers/30131

Lenin had 3 PWRs producing 90MW. The assemblies are likely relatively small, but probably of high burnup (which means a lot of fission products).

Apparently there were "two accidents onboard the nuclear powered icebreaker Lenin. The first took place in February 1965, when Lenin was undergoing repairs and refuelling. The vessel sustained severe mechanical damages to the fuel assemblies, some of which were broken in two pieces, and were detected during the unloading of fuel from reactor number two. About 95 spent nuclear fuel assemblies were transferred to the nuclear service ship Lepse and unloading was halted after that. "

So Lepse contains 'damaged fuel'. Ostensibly, it would require special 'fuel handling' equipment to retrieve and safely disposition the fuel.

 

[raining Pete]

for your post and for bringing attention to this important issue. I am not personally familiar with the maintenance vessel Lepse or the specific situation you mentioned, but I do have some knowledge about nuclear waste in general. To answer your questions:

1. I believe both "debris" and "spillage" could be used to describe the broken parts of the fuel assemblies and the spilled fuel. Both terms convey the idea that these are unwanted or waste materials.

2. The equipment used to remove the fuel assemblies from the ship could be referred to as "retrieval equipment" or "unloading equipment." "Retrieval equipment" may be more commonly used, as it implies the action of retrieving something from a specific location (in this case, the ship). However, "unloading equipment" could also be used to describe the process of removing the fuel assemblies from the ship.

I hope this helps answer your questions. It would be interesting to hear from others who may have more specific knowledge or experience with the Lepse and its nuclear waste. Thank you for starting this discussion.