Transfer container for radioactive nuclear fuel elements - comprises finned double-walled cylindrical vessel with cooling water circulation, ensuring cooling of element in all circumstances

• Main Author: ROGER AUBERT ET DANIEL MOUTARD
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; French
• Published: 25.07.1980
• Subjects: DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING; NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR REACTORS; PHYSICS; PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULARRADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL

A transfer container for radioactive fuel elements incorporates a cylindrical lateral wall with a central passage capable of receiving fuel elements and upper and lower closures capable of isolating the central passage. The lateral wall is constituted by an outer wall and an inner wall, forming an annular passage between them. The container has also an upper cover and a base. The central passage communicates at its lower end with the annular passage. The axial passage is extended by drillings passing through the upper cover and the base. Each drilling is provided with a spherical cavity in which is mounted a spherical valve with a central hole. The annular and central passages are connected by pipes to a reservoir of cooling liq. placed above the upper cover. The container allows transport of radioactive fuel elements extracted from a nuclear reactor after only a few days storage and cooling, either in a nuclear power station or between a nuclear power station and a storage place not far away. It ensures cooling of the fuel element even in case of accidents, while occupying minimal space and including the elements necessary for insertion of the fuel element. Conteneur de transfert pour éléments combustibles actifs chauds. Le conteneur comporte un passage central destiné à recevoir les éléments combustibles. Ce passage est obturé à ses deux extrémités par une vanne sphérique pivotante traversée par un passage central. En outre, le conteneur comporte à sa partie supérieure un réservoir de liquide de refroidissement raccordé au passage central pour provoquer une circulation du liquide de refroidissement. Application au transfert d'éléments combustibles pour réacteur nucléaire.