FAST REACTOR REFUELING METHOD AND SYSTEM Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear engineering; refueling fast reactor whose core is immersed in liquid metal coolant with inert gas region on top. SUBSTANCE: method includes piece-by-piece replacement of spent fuel assembly by new one, installation of spent fuel assembly in reactor internal storage disposed above active part of reactor core, and its holding therein followed by its conveying to transfer chamber, fuel assembly being handled all the time within reactor core by means of direct-extraction fuel-transfer machine; prior to conveying fuel assembly to transfer chamber it is turned in vertical plane until it acquires almost horizontal position and passed to transfer chamber through horizontal tunnel between inert gas region and transfer chamber. Refueling system implementing this method has two turning plugs mounted above reactor core, turning platform installed on internal turning plug, direct-extraction fuel-transfer machine installed on turning platform, and transport facility for conveying spent fuel assembly from reactor core to transfer chamber and new fuel assembly, in reverse direction; transport facility is installed in horizontal tunnel disposed between inert gas region of reactor and transfer chamber and is provided with vertically turning beam for carrying fuel assembly. Such design provides for handling fuel assemblies disposed at different levels in reactor core and in reactor internal storage with aid of direct- extraction fuel-transfer machine. EFFECT: facilitated conveying of spent fuel assembly from reactor core to transfer chamber. 11 cl, 16 dwg