At the construction site of the multipurpose fast research reactor (MBIR) in Dimitrovgrad, unique transport and process equipment has been installed — a mechanism for handling and steam-water cleaning sockets for spent fuel assemblies (FA). This complex electromechanical device, more than 10 meters long and weighing 3.3 tons, will become an integral part of the reactor's process cycle.
According to the project's press service, the mechanism enables a number of critically important operations: gas sampling to check the leak-tightness of fuel rod claddings, rotation of the FA to a specified angle, as well as monitoring of the force during their extraction. All these functions are necessary for the safe and efficient operation of the reactor at all stages of its service life.
It is noted that the equipment was fully designed and manufactured at Russian enterprises. Its installation is planned to be completed this year as part of the overall MBIR construction schedule.