Transferring water-cooled reactor fuel elements to storage pool - via hot cell to avoid external contamination of transport container

摘要

Used fuel elements are handled from water-cooled reactors by transferring the elements from a transport container into a water-filled cooling pool. The container is sealed with its opening to a hot cell for dry handling of the elements, the elements are transferred to the hot cell and are then moved from the cell into the storage pool, with controlled cooling during the transfer from the cell to the pool. Pref. suctional capture is used to keep the water away from the hot cell. A control quantity of water is pref. used for cooling. Used for handling of used fuel elements from water-cooled reactor. The method eliminates the need to submerge the handling container in the pool, with the consequent decontamination of its external surface.