NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 1995 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear power engineering. SUBSTANCE: coolant (water) is delivered via liquid-coolant supply pipe 2 and dispensing chamber 10 to tubes 8 installed in each annular fuel element 4 in a spaced relation to internal can 5. While flowing through tubes 8 fixed at ends parts 7 of fuel elements, water evaporates and enters element-to-element space 11 in the form of saturated steam; partition 12 placed upstream of reheat steam discharge pipe 3 running from fuel assembly closes space 11. Then steam goes through clearances between vessel 1 and external claddings of fuel elements 4, dries out, and enters clearances between internal cans 5 and tubes 8. Steam heats up there and is discharged from fuel assembly through pipe 3. EFFECT: provision for cooling fuel elements by coolant held in one state of aggregation, that is, in the form of steam. 1 dwg