Patent ID: 9105362
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: G21C,Y02E

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for cleaning a nuclear fuel element in a liquid filled space, wherein the fuel element comprises an inner space with an opening, and wherein the apparatus comprises a connecting element, which is adapted to be connected to a portion of the fuel element comprising said opening and flow means, which is adapted to at least during a part of a cleaning process of fuel element create a liquid flow through the inner space of the fuel element via the said opening, further comprising the apparatus having a flow channel, which has an opening in connection to the connecting element and that said flow means is adapted to create, at least during a part of a cleaning process of the fuel element, a liquid flow from the inner space of the fuel element to the flow channel of the apparatus and that the apparatus comprises a filter element in the flow channel, which is adapted to capture particles and deposits transported by the liquid flow from the inner space of the fuel element; said flow means comprises a pump, which is arranged in the flow channel; and said flow means comprises a flow valve in the flow channel, the flow valve being arranged in the flow channel in a position upstream of the pump with respect to an intended flow direction in the flow channel, wherein the flow valve is movable in the channel between a first position and a second position, the first position defining a first flow path from a liquid surrounding the apparatus to the pump, wherein in the first position the flow valve defines a first barrier in the flow channel between the pump and the inner space; and wherein the second position defines a second flow path from the inner space to the pump and in the second position the flow valve defines a second barrier between the pump and the liquid surrounding the apparatus.