A simplified refueling scheme for nuclear heating reactor

The nuclear heating reactor is a clean energy resource with high reliability and high economic benefits. Its basic design characteristics are different from those of big reactors. Some features, such as in-pressure vessel spent fuel storage, long refueling period, etc., provide the possibility to simplify the refueling system for economic purposes. After being stored in a pressure vessel for about 15 years, the spent fuel assemblies, with very low radioactivity and decay heat capacity, may be removed from reactor the pressure vessel to a storage pool by a simplified system including a shielded flask, reactor building crane, and some auxiliary tools. It is demonstrated that this 'dry-method' refueling scheme is safe and reliable. (orig.)