Abstract: In response to the requirement of special conditioning for end fittings and spent cladding in the spent fuel reprocessing process, this paper clarifies the core functional requirements of the metering and filling equipment based on the overpressure-based volume reduction conditioning technical process: separation and separate filling of end fittings and spent cladding, accurate metering, lid handling (removal and closing), and multi-station transfer of compaction canisters. Combined with the design principles of non-standard equipment,a system comprising a metering separator, a rotary table, a lid handling device, and a control system was designed. The complete working process follows: “empty canister supply → lid removal → layered filling (cladding-end fittings-cladding) → lid closing → transfer.”Through the dumping parameter test of the circulation bucket, the operation parameter test of the metering separator, and the equipment linkage test, the key operating parameters were determined: dumping speed of the circulation bucket at 0.015~0.08 r/min (regulated in intervals), drum speed at 0.10 r/min, spiral coil speed at 1.0 r/min, and turntable rotation speed at 0.25 r/min. These parameters achieve the index requirements of a single canister filling time of ≤20 min, a filling rate of ≥80%, and a cladding metering deviation of ≤±1 kg. Finally, a comprehensive metering and filling treatment scheme for end fittings and spent claddings is formed, providing a technical reference for the design of similar reprocessing equipment for spent fuel assemblies.

Key words: spent fuel, reprocessing, end fittings, spent cladding, metering and filling equipment, overpressure-based volume reduction technology