Patent ES-8602289-A1 (ES)
Title: Nuclear reactor core shroud made of removable elements.
IPC: G21C5/08
Filed: 1981-04-23
Abstract: EP--39288 A Equipment for partitioning the core of a nuclear reactor by interchangeable elements, is described, the core comprising prismatic assemblages juxtaposed inside an envelope laterally limiting a space surrounding the core in which the cooling liq. is circulated in the longitudinal direction of the assemblages, upper and lower support plates being provided on either side of the core in the longitudinal direction. - The equipment comprises boxes each comprising at least two boards rigidly jointed at right angles and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the assemblages and a number of transverse boards perpendicular to the longitudinal boards and jointed boards. - The boxes are arranged removably side by side inside the shell of the core and supported on it so that the faces of the longitudinal boards directed towards the core of the reactor serve as supporting faces for the assemblages arranged at the core periphery. Each box is fixed to at least one of the upper and lower supports at one of its ends by a flexible joint permitting longitudinal displacement of the box. - The assembly is used in pressure water-cooled reactors to conserve the structure of the shell of the reactor and prevent contact with the water. The flexible joint and the inter- changeable partitioning permit removal and replacement and adjustment of positioning to ensure complete filling of the space between the core and the shell. The partitioning allows for expansion and contraction on heating, etc. EPAB- EP--39288 B Equipment for partitioning the core of a nuclear reactor by interchangeable elements, is described, the core comprising prismatic assemblages juxtaposed inside an envelope laterally limiting a space surrounding the core in which the cooling liq. is circulated in the longitudinal direction of the assemblages, upper and lower support plates being provided on either side of the core in the longitudinal direction. - The equipment comprises boxes each comprising at least two boards rigidly jointed at right angles and arranged in the longitudinal direction of the assemblages and a number of transverse boards perpendicular to the longitudinal boards and jointed boards. - The boxes are arranged removably side by side inside the shell of the core and supported on it so that the faces of the longitudinal boards directed towards the core of the reactor serve as supporting faces for the assemblages arranged at the core periphery. Each box is fixed to at least one of the upper and lower supports at one of its ends by a flexible joint permitting longitudinal displacement of the box. - The assembly is used in pressure water-cooled reactors to conserve the structure of the shell of the reactor and prevent contact with the water. The flexible joint and the inter- changeable partitioning permit removal and replacement and adjustment of positioning to ensure complete filling of the space between the core and the shell. The partitioning allows for expansion and contraction on heating, etc. (18pp) - EP--39288 B The structure for dividing the interior of an atomic reactor vessel into compartments is used to support the vertical rods and bars which absorb neutrons and limit radiation from the reactor core. The structure consists of pairs of plates at right angles, with their edges connected to form triangular section vertical compartments around the inside surface from top to bottom. The vertical compartments are subdivided into horizontal compartments by horizontal plates. Each vertical compartment is secured at at least one end, e.g. the top by a flexible coupling permitting lengthwise expansion. - At the junction points formed by the edges of two vertical plates meeting at right angles are grooves, into which are inserted locking wedges extending from top to bottom. Each flexible coupling uses a centering stud on the top plate fitting into a bush in the top section below, with a helical spring between them. Another design uses leaf springs around the studs in the gap between the plates.