US 12,148,539 B2
Method for replacing nuclear reactor core
Doug Bernauer, El Segundo, CA (US); and Armand Eliassen, El Segundo, CA (US)
Assigned to Radiant Industries, Incorporated, El Segundo, CA (US)
Filed by Radiant Industries, Incorporated, El Segundo, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 10, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/398,777.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/066,088, filed on Aug. 14, 2020.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/064,308, filed on Aug. 11, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0051822 A1, Feb. 17, 2022
Int. Cl. G21C 19/10 (2006.01); G21C 19/20 (2006.01); G21C 1/12 (2006.01); G21C 5/06 (2006.01); G21C 5/10 (2006.01); G21C 19/18 (2006.01); G21C 19/19 (2006.01)
CPC G21C 19/10 (2013.01) [G21C 19/20 (2013.01); G21C 19/205 (2013.01); G21C 1/12 (2013.01); G21C 5/06 (2013.01); G21C 5/10 (2013.01); G21C 19/18 (2013.01); G21C 19/19 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for replacing a spent nuclear reactor core comprising:
removing a vessel head from a vessel containing a spent nuclear reactor core, wherein the spent nuclear reactor core comprises plural spent fuel assemblies;
locating to a removing position over the vessel, a first shielded core transporter configured to enshroud the spent nuclear reactor core;
lowering a lift adapter to a lift-out core support arranged with the spent nuclear reactor core;
engaging the lift adapter and the lift-out core support;
lifting the lift adapter to lift the spent nuclear reactor core from the vessel into the first shielded core transporter;
translating the spent nuclear reactor core within the first shielded core transporter to a second location distal from the vessel;
locating to a lowering position over the vessel, a second shielded core transporter enshrouding a new nuclear reactor core, wherein the new nuclear reactor core comprises one or more new fuel assemblies, and wherein a new lift-out core support is arranged with the new nuclear reactor core;
connecting the lift adapter and the new lift-out core support;
aligning a set of locating features arranged on the new lift-out core support to a set of datum arranged in a base of the vessel;
lowering the lift adapter to lower the new nuclear reactor core from the second shielded core transporter into the vessel such that the set of locating features engage with the set of datum;
disengaging the lift adapter from the new lift-out core support;
moving the lift adapter into the second shielded core transporter;
removing the second shielded core transporter from the lowering position;
arranging the vessel head onto the vessel; and
sealing the vessel head onto the vessel.