Patent Number: 061987875
Section: abstract

A method of handling an internal structure of a nuclear reactor utilizing a receptacle such as a container or a cask. A cask, for example, is lifted from outside of a nuclear reactor building through an opening which is opened at a portion of the nuclear reactor positioned just above a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. While maintaining the cask under a lifted condition, a shroud, which is an internal structure of the nuclear reactor, is transferred and inserted to the cask from the nuclear reactor vessel. Thereafter, an inlet port of the cask is closed so that the cask substantially surrounds the shroud and substantially prevents radiation from the shroud passing therethrough. The cask together with the shroud is lifted outside of the nuclear reactor building through the opening. The internal structure of the nuclear reactor can be speedily carried from the nuclear reactor building with reduced exposure of operators to radioactivity from the radioactive internal structure.