Existing storage and handling solutions for fresh nuclear fuel are primarily designed for facility-scale management or for transporting unirradiated fuel components and assemblies. In contrast, the present work proposes a novel approach focused on the conceptual design of a compact storage system for individual unirradiated fuel rods. The system is specifically intended for use in research institutes and laboratory environments, where operational workflows are inherently discontinuous and temporary, thereby necessitating controlled, flexible, and safe storage solutions.

This study applies Quality Function Deployment (QFD) and the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) to the conceptual design of a storage system for unirradiated fuel rods in a controlled helium atmosphere. The design must meet multiple functional and technical requirements, such as mechanical protection, stable positioning, controlled handling, preservation of the internal atmosphere, and leak-tightness.

First, QFD was used to identify, structure, and prioritize functional requirements, translating them into measurable engineering parameters. The House of Quality correlated requirements with technical characteristics, highlighting key design parameters and their interactions. Next, TRIZ addressed technical contradictions identified by QFD, such as strength versus mass, handling versus storage efficiency, damping versus structural rigidity, and modularity versus leak-tightness. Relevant inventive principles were selected and adapted to this application.

Combining QFD and TRIZ yielded a coherent conceptual solution comprising a horizontal cylindrical enclosure, an internal rod-positioning structure, and an interface for vacuum generation and helium admission. This methodology enhances traceability of design decisions and offers a structured framework for developing efficient, innovative storage solutions for unirradiated nuclear fuel rods in research institutes.