Core for nuclear reactor with vertical axis - where part of core is used only as temporary storage zone for nuclear fuel rods, which can be removed by rotary tongs

摘要

The reactor is esp. of the type cooled by molten metal in a vessel with a flat concrete roof. In the roof is at least one rotating plug fitted on its underside with a ring skirt. In the skirt, and above the core, are mechanisms for the control rods, and measuring instruments. The reactor core contains a grid with spaces in which the nuclear fuel rods are located. The periphery of the skirts contains a vertical profiled recess permitting the rotation and/or translation of vertical manipulation tongs suspended from the rotating plug; and no other mechanism is present in the recess. The spaces in the core grid below the recess do not contain fuel rods except when they are used as a temporary store when the core is discharged. A substantial redn. in the mfg. cost of the reactor is achieved.