Patent ID: 9640289
Date: 2017-05-02
CPC Classifications: G21C,G21F,Y02E

Claim:
1. A storage capsule for nuclear fuel rods, the capsule comprising: an elongated body defining a vertical centerline axis, the body comprising an open top end, a bottom end, and sidewalls extending between the top and bottom ends; an internal cavity formed within the body; a lid attached to and closing the top end of the body; an array of axially extending fuel rod storage tubes disposed in the cavity; an upper tubesheet and a lower tubesheet, the upper and lower tubesheets supporting a top end and a bottom end of each storage tube; a top plenum formed between the lid and upper tubesheet, and a bottom plenum formed between the lower tubesheet and the bottom end of the capsule; and a central drain tube extending parallel to the vertical centerline axis between the upper and lower tubesheets, the drain tube in fluid communication with the bottom plenum; wherein each storage tube has a transverse cross section configured and dimensioned to hold no more than one fuel rod; wherein the central drain tube is fluidly isolated from the top plenum by a sealing assembly fluidly coupled between a top end of the drain tube and the lid.