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

Fuel subassembly leak test chamber for a nuclear reactor

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6802208
A container with a valve at one end is inserted into a nuclear reactor coolant pool. Once in the pool, the valve is opened by a mechanical linkage. An individual fuel subassembly is lifted into the container by a gripper; the valve is then closed providing an isolated chamber for the subassembly. A vacuum is drawn on the chamber to encourage gaseous fission product leakage through any defects in the cladding of the fuel rods comprising the subassembly; this leakage may be detected by instrumentation, and the need for replacement of the assembly ascertained.
Assignee:
Dept. of Energy
Patent Number(s):
US 4082607
OSTI ID:
6802208
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English