Experience with handling core subassemblies in sodium-cooled reactor KNK and test rigs

Compared with a water-cooled reactor plant for instance a sodium-cooled reactor plant presents a number of problems which result from the specific nature of sodium. These problems that must be faced during all handling operations are mainly: 1.) The rapid reaction of sodium in the presence of air requires that the handling be done only under cover gas. 2.) The temperature of all so dium-wetted components is to be kept above the melting point of sodium. 3.) Poor draining of re moved reactor components due to the high surface tension of sodium and, with this, the associated danger of dripping radioactive sodium may produce a high radiation or contamination problem. 4.) Sodium is not transparent.