MACDONALD HUMFREY FUEL ROD LOADER AND ‘STRONGBACK’ HELPS SPRINGFIELDS TO RE-COMMISSION LWR NUCLEAR PLANT

Phil Black - PII Editor 28/08/2012

95 1 minute read

Listen to this article

MacDonald Humfrey Automation (MHA) has completed a contract to design, build and install a new Fuel Rod Loader and ‘Strongback’ system. It will help re-commission a light water reactor (LWR) to meet growing demand for nuclear fuel at the Springfields Fuels processing plant near Preston.

The Rod Loading Machine consists of a carriage (a honeycomb matrix) fitted to a support frame mounted on linear slides, which allow it to index away from and towards the Strongback. The Machine pulls certified fuel rods from a magazine into a skeleton, in a pre-determined sequence to create 12ft or 14ft fuel assemblies.

MHA also manufactured an Envelope Alignment Machine, which enables the fuel assemblies to be removed from the Strongback to have their tolerances checked to ensure that alignment is correct.

A sophisticated MHA human machine interface ensures that the whole system works effectively to improve the speed and safe handling of the fuel rod assembly process.

Exmac Automation
Unit 105 Pointon Way
Hampton Lovett
Droitwich Spa
Worcestershire,
WR9 0LR

E-Mail mh@exmac.co.uk
Web www.exmacautomation.co.uk
Phone +44 (0) 1905 721500