Abstract:
In a boiling-water fuel element with a central coolant pipe (WR) as the backbone of the bearing frame, upper end section (WE) of the coolant pipe (WR) becomes a relatively slim linking stud (4) engaging through an aperture in the upper rod holder (1) and secured there. Thus the upper end section (WE) lies at the upper edge of the active zone (AZ) and the coolant outlets of the coolant pipe (WR) take the form of passages (8) which are axial or run inwards to the linking stud. This provides good flow conditions, especially low pressure losses, in the upper part of the fuel element.
Abstract:
Fuel bundles of a boiling-water nuclear reactor are inverted during refueling methods. Bundles burned in a first orientation are subjected to greater burnup near their bottoms and greater conversion of fertile fuel to fissile fuel near their tops. Inverting the bundles promotes burnup of the actinide products from the conversion of the last cycle. Thus, the procedure greater energy production efficiency and reduced actinide radioactive waste are achieved. Once inverted fuel bundles can be removed for disposal. Alternatively, they can be reinverted to burnup actinide fissile fuel generated at the bottom (while it was downstream of the top) during the second operating cycle. Further inversions are provided for, but the major gains occur during the first and second inversions.
Abstract:
A recirculation system (10) is disclosed for driving reactor coolant water (114), contained in an annular downcomer (118) defined between a reactor vessel and a reactor core spaced radially inwardly therefrom. The system includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced pumps (12), disposed in the downcomer (118), each pump including an inlet for receiving coolant water from the downcomer as pump inlet flow, and an outlet for discharging the pressurized water. The recirculation system firstly increases the pressure of the pump inlet flow at the pump inlet before being sucked into the pump for being further pressurized by the pump.
Abstract:
A method and system (10) for controlling nuclear reactivity in a nuclear reactor are disclosed. The method includes maintaining a nuclear poison solution at an initial poison pressure (P1) less than the steam pressure within the reactor vessel. The method further includes channeling a pressurizing fluid into the holding tank (12) for pressurizing the poison solution to a pressure greater than the initial pressure thereof, and draining by gravity the poison solution from the holding tank and into the reactor vessel for mixing with the water to reduce reactivity in the core. The system includes the holding tank (12) apparatus for channeling the pressurizing fluid (18) from the reactor vessel (100) to the holding tank, apparatus for channeling the poison solution (28) from the holding tank by gravity into the reactor vessel, and a controller (42) for opening a normally closed pressurizing valve (26) and a normally closed drain valve (40) to allow flow of pressurizing fluid to, and the drained poison solution from, the holding tank through the respective channeling apparatus.
Abstract:
A drive (10) for positioning a control rod (12) in a nuclear reactor is disclosed. The drive (10) includes a housing (112) having a piston disposed therein, with a piston rod extending from the piston and through the housing for being joinable to the control rod. A driving fluid is provided into the housing for exerting a pressure force against the piston for moving the piston and the control rod. The output requirements for the driving fluid are varied in response to the position of the piston for selectively controlling intermediate positons of the piston.
Abstract:
A system for radioisotope production uses fast-neutron-caused fission of depleted or naturally occurring uranium targets in an irradiation chamber. Fast fission can be enhanced by having neutrons encountering the target undergo scattering or reflection to increase each neutron's probability of causing fission (n, f) reactions in U-238. The U-238 can be deployed as layers sandwiched between layers of neutron-reflecting material, or as rods surrounded by neutron-reflecting material. Possible radioisotopes include Mo 99/Tc 99m, I-131, I-132, and I-133.
Abstract:
A molten salt breeder reactor that has a fuel conduit surrounded by a fertile blanket. The fuel salt conduit has an elongated core section. The geometry of the fuel conduit is such that sub-critical conditions exist near the input and output of the fuel salt conduit and the fertile blanket surrounds the input and the output of the fuel salt conduit, thereby minimizing losses.
Abstract:
In order to carry off noncondensible gases from the surroundings of a building condenser (16) in a containment vessel (1) of a boiling water nuclear power plant while preserving the reliability of performance of the building condenser (16), a drain pipe (22) is provided that connects the upper area in the containment vessel (1) to a condensing chamber (4) arranged in the containment vessel (1). The noncondensible gases flow automatically through the drain pipe into the condensing chamber (4). The building condenser can thus be structured in a simple and economical manner.
Abstract:
A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form to improve heat transfer and reduce corrosion is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered to a closed cooling circuit such as a CCWS (300). Methods for providing the nanoparticles are also provided.