IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FUEL ELEMENT CHARGING/DISCHARGING GEAR FOR NUCLEAR REACTORS
In the Calder Hall reactors, to reduce the number of standpipes through which fuel is loaded into the 1,696 core channels, the latter are grouped in 16's with a single charge tube serving each group. Since the elements thus approach the channels obliquely, means have to be provided to guide them in without damage to the graphite core or the element. The devices used at Calder to do this are known as charge guides or pans and this is the patent covering them. The guide is a nodular iron casting with a 4 x 4 array of tapered holes corresponding with a fuel channel group. The holes are 11 in. long and taper from 5 in. to 5.92 in. diam. Support of the guides on the top of the graphite core is at three points since thermal movements of the blocks are to be expected during the reactors' lifetime. Location is centered on a 17th channel at the center of the guide which serves the control rod hole and which also receives the snout of the charging machine. The tapered holes of the charge pan are each fitted with an entry for the burst slug detection gear "sniffer" pipes. It is stated that these guides weigh 600 lb. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-000692
- OSTI ID:
- 4356644
- Journal Information:
- Nuclear Power, Journal Name: Nuclear Power Vol. 2; ISSN 0546-8981; ISSN NUPOAS
- Country of Publication:
- United Kingdom
- Language:
- English
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