Status of Rod Consolidation
Status of Rod Consolidation
Several rod consolidation systems have been demonstrated in the United States with simulated boiling water reactor (BWR) and pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel. The first U.S. consolidation of irradiated fuel was successfully demonstrated with four PWR fuel assemblies at the Oconee Nuclear Station in October-November 1982 (1-3) and with one PWR fuel assembly at Maine Yankee in August 1983(4). Maine Yankee has received approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to consolidate up to 20 fuel assemblies(5).