REACTOR UNLOADING MEANS

Patent · Tue Aug 20 04:00:00 EDT 1957

OSTI ID:4337124

Cooper, C M

A means for remotely unloading irradiated fuel slugs from a neutronic reactor core and conveying them to a remote storage tank is reported. The means shown is specifically adapted for use with a reactor core wherein the fuel slugs are slidably held in end to end abutting relationship in the horizontal coolant flow tubes, the slugs being spaced from tae internal walls of the tubes to permit continuous circulation of coolant water therethrough. A remotely operated plunger at the charging ends of the tubes is used to push the slugs through the tubes and out the discharge ends into a special slug valve which transfers the slug to a conveying tube leading into a storage tank. Water under pressure is forced through the conveying tube to circulate around the slug to cool it and also to force the slug through the conveving tube into the storage tank. The slug valve and conveying tube are shielded to prevent amy harmful effects caused by the radioactive slug in its travel from the reactor to the storage tank. With the disclosed apparatus, all the slugs in the reactor core can be conveyed to the storage tank shortly after shutdown by remotely located operating personnel.

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-12-004621
• Assignee: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
• Patent Number(s): US 2803601
• OSTI ID: 4337124
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

COOLANTS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL SLURRIES
PATENT
PATENTS
PRESSURE
REACTOR CORE
REACTORS
REMOTE HANDLING
SHUTDOWN
STORAGE
VALVES
VESSELS
WATER