Patent ID: 6718002
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: G21F

Abstract:
A method of removing a radioactive deposit from a nuclear fuel assembly in a nuclear plant, the method comprising: providing a container (2) arranged to accommodate the nuclear fuel assembly, and arranging said container (2) in a &ggr;-radiation-dampening medium, wherein said &ggr;-radiation-dampening medium comprises water, providing a first pumping means (3, 4, 5) for feeding by pumping a fluid through the container in order to release the deposit from the nuclear fuel assembly by abrasion and to transport radioactive deposit out of the container, said first means (3, 4, 5) also being provided for the feeding of a gas or steam or both to a fluid comprising a mixture of water and ice that is fed into and through the container in order to create a turbulence in the fluid; and further comprising feeding with said first means, a gas or steam or both to said fluid that is fed into and through the container (2) such that a turbulence is created in the fluid; providing a second receiving means (6, 7) arranged to receive the radioactive deposit transported out of the container (2) by the fluid, and wherein said second receiving means comprises a filter (6) arranged to separate released radioactive material from said fluid; arranging at least said second means (6, 7) in said &ggr;-radiation-dampening medium, arranging a nuclear fuel assembly (1) in said container (2), feeding by pumping with said first pumping means (3, 4, 5) said fluid comprising a mixture of water and ice and said gas or steam or both through said container (2), thereby releasing, by abrasion, a radioactive deposit from said nuclear fuel assembly (1) and transporting the radioactive deposit out of the container (2), receiving the transported radioactive deposit in said second means (6,7), and further comprising filtering with said filter to separate from said fluid the radioactive material that is released.