Method and apparatus for the zone-wise shuffling of nuclear reactor fuel elements
US4072559A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 25, 1975 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 1978 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 25, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
For zone-wise shuffling of the fuel elements of a nuclear reactor core, single ones of the elements, one after another, are removed sequentially, and immediately upon the removal of each element it is tested for cladding defects, and if free therefrom, immediately inserted back in its new position in the reactor core, elements having cladding defects being eliminated. An apparatus for the rapid testing of each removed element is provided by a testing chamber containing water in which the removed element is immersed and allowed to remain for a short time, the water then being removed and tested for gamma activity to determine the element's cladding integrity. Other features are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.