Bin for containing spent fuel assemblies

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a kind of silo for containing spent fuel assembly.The spent fuel assembly is pushed by pusher and moves in the silo, and the silo includes: first shell;Second shell;First shell and second shell cooperate to form the containing space for containing spent fuel assembly;The cross section of first shell matches the cross section of pusher, so that pusher can move in first shell;The cross section of second shell matches the cross section of spent fuel assembly, so that spent fuel assembly can cooperate with second shell;The cross section of second shell includes two edges forming 120 ° included angle, and the length of two edges is greater than a predetermined value.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of nuclear engineering technology, and more specifically to a silo for containing spent fuel assemblies. Background Technology

[0002] During the reprocessing of spent fuel assemblies, the spent fuel assemblies need to be pushed into a shearing chamber for shearing. The spent fuel assemblies are contained in a hopper and pushed within the hopper.

[0003] In some cases, it is necessary to push different sizes of spent fuel assemblies, so the silo needs to be able to accommodate different sizes of spent fuel assemblies so that they can all be pushed into the silo. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides a hopper for accommodating spent fuel assemblies, the spent fuel assemblies being moved within the hopper by a pusher. The hopper includes: a first housing; a second housing; the first housing and the second housing cooperating to form a receiving space for accommodating the spent fuel assemblies; the cross-section of the first housing matching the cross-section of the pusher, allowing the pusher to move within the first housing; the cross-section of the second housing matching the cross-section of the spent fuel assemblies, allowing the spent fuel assemblies to engage with the second housing; the cross-section of the second housing includes two sides forming a 120° angle, the length of the two sides being greater than a predetermined value. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will help to provide a comprehensive understanding of the invention.

[0006] Figure 1 A perspective view of a hopper for accommodating spent fuel assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0007] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the silo;

[0008] Figure 3 A perspective view of a hopper for accommodating spent fuel assemblies according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0009] Figure 4 Show Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the silo. Detailed Implementation

[0010] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only one embodiment of this application, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the described embodiments of this application without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0011] It should be noted that, unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the ordinary meaning understood by a person skilled in the art to which this application pertains. Where the terms "first," "second," etc., are used throughout, they are used only to distinguish similar objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance, order of precedence, or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. It should be understood that the data described by "first," "second," etc., can be interchanged where appropriate. Furthermore, for ease of description, spatial relative terms such as "above," "below," etc., may be used here, only to describe the spatial positional relationship between one device or feature as shown in the figure and other devices or features. This should be understood to also include different orientations during use or operation besides those shown in the figure.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a hopper 100 is provided for accommodating spent fuel assembly 1, which is moved within the hopper 100 by a pusher. Figure 1 A perspective view of silo 100 is shown. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of silo 100 is shown in the reference diagram. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The hopper 100 includes: a first housing 10; a second housing 20; the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 cooperate to form a receiving space for accommodating spent fuel assembly 1; the cross section of the first housing 10 matches the cross section of the pusher, so that the pusher can move within the first housing 10; the cross section of the second housing 20 matches the cross section of the spent fuel assembly 1, so that the spent fuel assembly 1 can cooperate with the second housing 20; the cross section of the second housing 20 includes two sides forming a 120° angle, and the length of the two sides is greater than a predetermined value.

[0013] It should be noted that "matching" does not mean that the shapes of the components are exactly the same or complementary. The matching between the cross-section of the first housing 10 and the cross-section of the pusher is sufficient to allow the pusher to move within the first housing 10; the matching between the cross-section of the second housing 20 and the cross-section of the spent fuel assembly 1 is sufficient to allow the spent fuel assembly 1 to mate with the second housing 20. In the embodiments of the present invention, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are respectively provided for the pusher and the spent fuel assembly 1, so that the pusher and the spent fuel assembly 1 have their own matching movement channels.

[0014] The cross-section of the spent fuel assembly 1 is typically a regular hexagon, with each interior angle measuring 120°. In the hopper 100 of this embodiment, the cross-section of the second housing 20 includes two sides forming a 120° angle, and the length of these two sides is greater than a predetermined value. This predetermined value can be the side length of the cross-section of the largest spent fuel assembly 1 that the hopper 100 is used to accommodate, and can be set according to actual needs. Therefore, regardless of the size of the spent fuel assembly 1, it can fit with the second housing 20, ensuring that the two sides forming the 120° angle in the cross-section of different sizes of spent fuel assemblies 1 can be tightly fitted with the two sides forming the 120° angle in the cross-section of the second housing 20, and guaranteeing that the spent fuel assembly 1 is stably placed on the second housing 20, effectively preventing the spent fuel assembly 1 from shifting.

[0015] Therefore, the hopper 100 of this embodiment can accommodate spent fuel assemblies 1 of different specifications and ensure that spent fuel assemblies 1 of different specifications can be smoothly pushed within the hopper 100. The hopper 100 can be applied to scenarios where shear tests are conducted on spent fuel assemblies 1 of different specifications during the reprocessing of spent fuel assemblies. In this scenario, spent fuel assemblies 1 of different specifications are pushed from the hopper 100 to the shear heat chamber. It is understood that the cross-sectional side lengths of spent fuel assemblies 1 of different specifications are different, with larger-specification spent fuel assemblies 1 having larger cross-sectional side lengths.

[0016] Reference Figure 2 The cross-section of the second shell 20 includes a first side 21 and a second side 23, with a 120° angle between the first side 21 and the second side 23, and the lengths of both the first side 21 and the second side 23 are greater than a predetermined value.

[0017] In some embodiments, the cross-section of the second housing 20 further includes a third side 25 and a fourth side 27, with the third side 25 forming a 120° angle with the first side 21, and the fourth side 27 forming a 120° angle with the second side 23. The lengths of the third side 25 and the fourth side 27 are also greater than predetermined values. Thus, the cross-section of the second housing 20 has a better match with the cross-section of the spent fuel assembly 1, while also making the shape of the second housing 20 more standardized, facilitating manufacturing and use.

[0018] Of course, in other embodiments, the third side 25 and the fourth side 27 may not form a 120° angle with the first side 21 and the second side 23, and the lengths of the third side 25 and the fourth side 27 may not be greater than a predetermined value, as long as the spent fuel assembly 1 can be accommodated in the hopper 100.

[0019] The first housing 10 provides a guiding space for the pusher during movement, allowing it to move relatively smoothly within the hopper 100. A portion of the pusher can move within the first housing 10, while another portion can enter the second housing 20 to move the spent fuel assembly 1. The pusher can be driven by a chain, which can move within the first housing 10, providing a guiding space for the chain during movement.

[0020] In some embodiments, a groove 12 is formed within the first housing 10, along which the pusher can move. This provides guidance for the pusher without interfering with the movement of the spent fuel assembly 1, guiding the pusher to move smoothly and thus smoothly pushing the spent fuel assembly 1.

[0021] Both the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 are elongated structures. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be connected together by fasteners 22, with multiple fasteners 22 connecting them along their length. The fasteners 22 can be bolts. In other embodiments, the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can also be connected together by other means, such as welding. The first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be formed separately to obtain first housing 10 and second housing 20 with specific cross-sectional shapes before being connected together, facilitating manufacturing.

[0022] In some embodiments, the hopper 100 can rotate with the rotary platform. For example, before pushing the spent fuel assembly 1 into the shear heating chamber, the spent fuel assembly 1 needs to be rotated, which is achieved by rotating the hopper 100. In this embodiment, the hopper 100 further includes a mounting plate 30 disposed outside the second housing 20, which is used to mount the hopper 100 to the rotary platform. The extending direction of the mounting plate 30 may be the same as the extending direction of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, ensuring that the hopper 100 is mounted to the rotary platform as securely as possible.

[0023] The mounting plate 30 can be detachably or non-detachably connected to the second housing 20. For example, the mounting plate 30 can be connected to the second housing 20 by means of threaded connection, snap-fit, welding, etc., or the mounting plate 30 can be integrally formed with the second housing 20. The mounting plate 30 can be detachably connected to the rotating platform, for example, by means of threaded connection or clamping fixation. Mounting holes can be provided on the mounting plate 30.

[0024] In some embodiments, the silo 100 further includes lifting lugs 32 disposed on the exterior of the first housing 10. Multiple lifting lugs 32 can be provided. The lifting lugs 32 facilitate the hoisting and relocation of the silo 100 during installation, disassembly, and maintenance.

[0025] When the silo 100 is in use, the first housing 10 is located above the second housing 20, forming the upper part of the silo 100 and the second housing 20 forming the lower part of the silo 100. Therefore, lifting lugs 32 are provided on the outside of the first housing 10 for easy hoisting; and a mounting plate 30 is provided on the second housing 20 for easy fixed connection between the mounting plate 30 and the rotating platform used to support the silo 100.

[0026] In some embodiments, flanges 34 are provided at both ends of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The flanges 34 of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 can be flush with each other. By providing flanges 34, it is convenient to connect the ends of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 to other components. The flanges 34 can be integrally formed with the first housing 10 or the second housing 20. Connection holes can be provided on the flanges 34. There can be a distance between the flanges 34 and the end faces of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20.

[0027] Figure 3 A perspective view of a hopper 100 for accommodating spent fuel assemblies according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein fasteners 22 are shown in enlarged view; Figure 4 Show Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion of the 100mm silo. (See attached image.) Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the hopper 100 also includes a mating component 35. The mating component 35 has an opening and is fitted onto both ends of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20, connecting to the flange 34. The mating component 35 includes a mating surface that faces away from the flange 34 and is flush with the end faces of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20. The mating component 35 and the flange 34 can be connected together in a detachable manner, such as by threaded connection or snap-fit. The mating component 35 can be an end face flange.

[0028] The mating surface of the mating part 35 can be used to mate with an inflatable seal. In some cases, the two ends of the hopper 100 need to be sealed to other equipment, and an inflatable seal (e.g., an inflatable sealing ring) needs to be installed between the two ends of the hopper 100 and these devices. In this case, the mating part 35 can be used to connect or contact with the inflatable seal.

[0029] By providing a mating part 35 instead of a flange 34, a mating surface for mates with the inflatable seal can be provided. This allows the mating part 35 to provide a mating surface area as large as possible, while the flange 34 can be relatively small. This is advantageous when the flange 34 is integrally formed with the first housing 10 or the second housing 20, reducing the difficulty of integral forming and ensuring the strength of the flange 34. Furthermore, mating parts 35 of different sizes can be selected according to requirements, making their use more flexible. The mating part 35 is installed on the flange 34, which can be located only on opposite sides of the first housing 10 and the second housing 20 to achieve the installation of the mating part 35.

[0030] In some embodiments, inclined surfaces 36 are formed at both ends of the second housing 20 for guidance. The inclined surfaces 36 are formed on the inner wall of the second housing 20. The inclined surfaces 36 can appropriately enlarge the openings at both ends of the second housing 20. The inclined surfaces 36 can provide guidance for the spent fuel assembly 1 to enter or leave the hopper 100, making the pushing of the spent fuel assembly 1 smoother.

[0031] Regarding the embodiments of the present invention, it should also be noted that, without conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other to obtain new embodiments.

[0032] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. The scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A silo for containing spent fuel assemblies, characterized in that, The spent fuel assembly is moved within the hopper by a pusher, the hopper comprising: First shell; Second shell; The first housing and the second housing cooperate to form a housing space for accommodating the spent fuel assembly; The cross-section of the first housing matches the cross-section of the pusher, allowing the pusher to move within the first housing; The cross-section of the second housing matches the cross-section of the spent fuel assembly, allowing the spent fuel assembly to mate with the second housing; The cross-section of the second housing includes two sides forming a 120° angle, and the length of the two sides is greater than a predetermined value; The predetermined value is the cross-sectional side length of the largest size of the spent fuel assembly that the silo is intended to accommodate.

2. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, A groove is formed inside the first housing, and the pusher can move along the groove.

3. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first housing and the second housing are connected together by fasteners.

4. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hopper can rotate with the rotating platform. The hopper also includes a mounting plate disposed outside the second housing. The mounting plate is used to install onto the rotating platform.

5. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hopper also includes: lifting lugs, which are disposed on the outside of the first housing.

6. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both ends of the first housing and the second housing are provided with flanges.

7. The silo according to claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: A fitting component is sleeved on both ends of the first housing and the second housing and connected to the flange. The fitting component includes a mating surface that is opposite to the flange and flush with the end faces of the first housing and the second housing.

8. The silo according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the second housing are formed with bevels for guidance.

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