METHOD OF SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLY DRYING Russian patent published in 2008 - IPC G21C19/00 

FIELD: heating.

SUBSTANCE: method of fuel assembly drying includes supply of dried-out heated gas to container with fuel assembly and removal of moisture laden gas from container. Availability or absence of nuclear fuel spillage or fissionable material fragments are determined during drying by thermal neutron flux monitoring by means of sensor installed on container lid bottom. Sensor operates with removed gas moisture monitoring unit in interrelation manner. In addition, if sensor records thermal neutron flux before dryness process is terminated and moisture metering devices records decrease of moisture content in removed from container gas, it is assumed on availability of spent nuclear fuel spillage and fissionable material fragments in container. Measured water content remained on container bottom before drying process is finished, is taken as a reference parameter anticipating the end of drying process.

EFFECT: avoidance of spontaneous chain reaction of fissionable material.

2 cl, 1 dwg