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

HANDLING CONTAINERS FOR THE FUEL ELEMENTS OF A NUCLEAR REACTOR AND METHOD OF USING THEM

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4821375

Preferably two identical handling containers are coupled successively with the charge hole in which at a given moment the fuel charging chute system is inserted. The charging system remains in place, while to the hole is coupled first the one charging container for discharging the depleted fuel elements and then the other for charging the new fuel elements. Each container is shielded and comprises a fluid-tight vessel that can be brought into connection with the charging hole, this vessel enclosing a rotatable receptacle with a number of compartments for receiving the fuel elements; each compartment may be brought into alignment with the charging hole. A hoist with a cable-suspended grab is able to transfer the fuel element from this receptacle into the reactor and vice versa. During these operations the fuel elements and the outer surface of said vessel may be gas cooled. An auxiliary coater cooling system is also provided. Preferably, each receptacle is able to accommodate all the fuel elements of a given reactor channel. Each container performs charging and discharging functions alternately in regard to successively serviced reactor chanmels. (NPO)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-16-006182
OSTI ID:
4821375
Report Number(s):
FR 1230564
Country of Publication:
France
Language:
English