AMPOULE FOR SPENT FUEL ASSEMBLY Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC G21F5/08 

FIELD: nuclear power production industry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to nuclear power production industry and, particularly, to ampoule whereto a bundle of fuel elements (FE) from the spent "РБМК-1000" reactor fuel assembly (FA) is loaded and then placed into container in order to be transported and disposed in long-term depository. The ampoule for spent FA consists of cylindrical housing with bottom and lid. A bundle of spent FE is placed into the FA housing. The housing lid is fixed in the upper part of the housing by means of locking mechanism represented with spring-loaded split ring. The ampoule housing is high enough to allow gripping mechanism to access power lattice of FE bundle. The FE bundle is mounted upon ampoule bottom by frame pipe resting upon the above bottom. There is a spring in the ampoule lid. The spring ensures holding of the bundle of FE with different length within the above mentioned ampoule. The designed clearance between ampoule lid and housing is implemented as labyrinth sealing. The sealing prevents fuel particles falling from the ampoule and ensures FE bundle drying.

EFFECT: invention allows for possibility of bundle of different design FE installation into ampoule, reserving their integrity, simplifying their extraction from ampoule and ensures FE bundle monitoring during long-term storage.

3 cl, 6 dwg