Patent ID: 8135108

Claim:
Nuclear power station comprising: a plurality of high temperature reactors ( 2 ), each comprising a core ( 4 ) in which a plurality of fuel elements ( 5 ) are arranged; for each reactor ( 2 ), a dedicated storage installation ( 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 ) for the fuel elements ( 5 ) for said reactor ( 2 ); means ( 32 ) for transferring the fuel elements ( 5 ) between the core ( 4 ) and the storage installation ( 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 ); wherein the transfer means ( 32 ) comprise: a tunnel ( 34 ), of which a first portion ( 36 ) is situated near the core ( 4 ) and a second portion ( 38 ) is situated in or near the storage installation ( 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 ); first transfer means ( 48 , 58 ) suitable for transferring at least one fuel element ( 5 ) between the core ( 4 ) and the first portion ( 36 ); second transfer means ( 78 ) suitable for transferring at least one fuel element ( 5 ) between the second portion and the storage installation ( 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 , 22 ); means ( 66 ) for transferring at least one fuel element ( 5 ) along the tunnel ( 34 ) between the first and second portions ( 36 , 38 ); and means ( 86 , 88 ) for moving the tunnel ( 34 ) between a plurality of service positions each corresponding to one of the reactors ( 2 ), the first portion ( 36 ) of the tunnel ( 34 ) being situated in each service position near the core of the corresponding reactor and the second portion ( 38 ) of the tunnel ( 34 ) being situated in or near the dedicated storage installation ( 14 , 16 , 18 , 20 ) for said reactor ( 2 ).