Abstract: A fuel handling system that keeps the spent-fuel assembly under sodium throughout the transfer operation from the core to the spent-fuel storage tank is described. A shielded transfer chamber containing a sodium-operated hydraulic motor to drive a push-pull chain with an attached fuel grapple is the mechanism for transferring the fuel assembly. Access to the core from the transfer chamber is provided by a dip pipe extended into the reactor sodium. A transfer arm carrier is used to accept the fuel assembly from the in-vessel fuel grapple and to move it directly to the dip pipe for removal. Access to the storage tank from the transfer chamber is provided by an exit pipe. The fuel handling system can be reversed to insert new fuel into the reactor core. (auth)
Publication Year: 1975
Publication Date: 1975-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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