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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

NUCLEAR REACTORS

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4821340
A nuclear reactor with parallel channels is described, each channel being in alignment with its own charging hole in the top shield of the reactor. Each charging hole is normally closed by a shielding plug joined to a series of interconnected fuel elements placed in the usual manner in the core section of the corresponding reactor channel, so that as the plug is withdrawn from its normal position in the charging hole, these fuel elements are also withdrawn from the core. Suitably, for this purpose, the removable cover that normally closes the upper end of the charging hole is replaced by a tubular extension. A fluid operated piston sliding inside this extension is joined at its lower extremity to the plug. When the piston slides upwards by fluid action, the interconnected fuel elements are withdrawn from their position in the core to a position situated between the core and the top shield, so that, e.g., a damaged fuel element is no longer exposed to the influence of the neutron flux in the core, the fuel element remaining in this provisional with drawn position until a discharge machine is available. (NPO)
Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-006193
OSTI ID:
4821340
Report Number(s):
FR 1233936
Country of Publication:
France
Language:
English