Loading transport container with fuel element, especially spent nuclear fuel element, comprises use of transfer lock which is sealed and freed from pond water before fuel element transfer to transport container outside pond

摘要

Fuel element loading of a transport container (8) comprises use an intermediate transfer lock (18) which is sealed and freed from pond water before fuel element transfer to a transport container (8) outside the pond. A transport container (8) is loaded with a fuel element (4,4A) by transferring the fuel element from a pond (2) into a lock (18), sealing the lock from the pond, removing any excess water from the lock and transferring the fuel element from the lock into a transport container outside the pond. An Independent claim is also included for a loading device for carrying out the above process.