METHOD FOR SEPARATING AND REPLACING PROCESS CHANNELS IN FUEL ASSEMBLIES OF PRESSURE-TUBE REACTORS Russian patent published in 1997 - IPC

FIELD: laser processing in nuclear power engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves cutting spent process channel from upper plate, carrying it to separation zone wherein it is separated into low-reactivity and high-reactivity wastes. Then new process channel is conveyed to reactor core, laced in bottom plate shell and welded to top plate. All procedures are made inside channel by using laser beam. EFFECT: reduced number of tools used in procedure, eliminated manual labour and radioactive dust, reduced space requirement for waste disposal and reduced size and cost of waste storages. 5 cl, 5 dwg