Irradiated nuclear fuel storage pond with variable water level - has sprinklers to wash down pond walls when water level falls

摘要

Pool or tank for storage or transporting of nuclear fuel elements contains water to a depth which may be varied during operation. A sprinkler appts. is used for washing down the wall of the pool with a liq. cleaning agent. Pref. the sprinkler is movable. More specifically, the sprinkler comprises a vertically adjustable pipe fitting to the wall of teh tank and equipped with nozzles, oriented towards the wall; the pipe may be mounted on a float so that it rises and falls with the water level. Used for the transporting or storage of nuclear elements in a nuclear power plant or fuel reprocessing plant. The water level may be raised or lowered during the handling operations, for example the handling container is placed in a dry pool which is then flooded for the handling operations, then again emptied before the container is removed. The sprinkler system enables the walls above water level to be cleaned, thus reducing or eliminating the source of radiation resulting from contamination left behind by the water.