Abstract:
A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered in locations such as the cold leg accumulator (60) and high and low pressure pumps (100, 110) of an emergency core cooling system (50). Motor driven valves (204) and pressurization can aid in the delivery. Methods for providing the nanoparticles are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a device (1250) that includes a cylindrical tube (1215), and a drain tube (1211) disposed inside having openings along its length for receiving drain fluid (1254). The device (1250) also includes means forming the fuel layer (1252) disposed within the operative portion of the tube. The fuel layer (1252) generates fission products and has a thickness smaller than the fission product range. Drain fluid (1254) passes over the surfaces of the fuel layer (1252), collects the fission products for discharge therefrom. The fuel hetero-structure is formed from the fuel layer (1902), an insulating material and a liquid. The insulating material has a repetitive structure that includes at least three layers (1904, 1906, 1908) and interacts with the fission products (1924) to generate electricity. One of the layers generates electrons showers (1928) that are converted into heat or electricity.
Abstract:
Eine kerntechnische Anlage (4) mit einem Sicherheitsbehälter (2), dessen Innenraum (14) durch eine gasdichte Zwischenwand (16) in einen den Reaktordruckbehälter (8) und den Primärkühlkreislauf (10) enthaltenden Anlagenraum (18) und in einen im Normalbetrieb begehbaren Betriebsraum (20) unterteilt ist, soll bei gering gehaltenem Herstellungs- und Betriebsaufwand eine besonders hohe betriebliche Sicherheit, insbesondere auch bei Störfallsituationen mit Wasserstofffreisetzung im Anlagenraum (18) gewährleisten. Zu diesem Zweck ist erfindungsgemäß eine Anzahl von Überströmöffnungen (22a, 22b, 22c) in der Zwischenwand (16) vorgesehen, wobei die jeweilige Überströmöffnung (22a, 22b, 22c) durch ein Verschlusselement (24) einer bei Erreichen einer der jeweiligen Überströmöffnung (22a, 22b, 22c) zugeordneten Auslösebedingung selbsttätig öffnenden Verschlussvorrichtung (26) verschlossen ist, und wobei sowohl druckabhängig öffnende als auch druckunabhängig öffnende Verschlussvorrichtungen (26) vorgesehen sind. Eine in diesem Zusammenhang besonders zweckmäßige Verschlussvorrichtung (26) weist weiterhin ein eine Berstfolie (50) oder eine Berstscheibe umfassendes Verschlusselement (24) auf, wobei die Verschlussvorrichtung (26) derart ausgelegt ist, dass sie bei Erreichen einer vorgegebenen umgebungsseitigen Auslösetemperatur die Überströmöffnung (22 a, 22 b, 22 c) selbsttätig freigibt.
Abstract:
A radio-pharmaceutical pig (900) for transporting a syringe containing a radio-pharmaceutical includes a first cylindrical member (910) having a first tungsten body (912) defining a first cavity (916) therein. A second cylindrical member (930) has a second tungsten body (932) defining a second cavity (936) therethrough and is capable of engagement with the first cylindrical member (910) so that the first cavity (916) is in substantial alignment with the second cavity (936). A third cylindrical member (950) includes a third tungsten body (952) defining a third cavity (956) and is capable of engagement with the second cylindrical member (930) so that the third cavity (956) is in substantial alignment with the second cavity (936). The first cavity (916), the second cavity (936) and the third cavity (956) are shaped so as to be complimentary in shape of the syringe (10).
Abstract:
The invention relates to a fuel element for pressurised water nuclear reactors, comprising a plurality of nuclear fuel rods which each comprise a plurality of nuclear fuel pellets. The inventive element includes the same number of pellets with gadolinium oxide at a high concentration (greater than or equal to 6 wt.-%) as pellets with gadolinium oxide at a medium concentration (greater than 2 wt.- % and less than or equal to 4 wt.-%). The invention also relates to a method of loading the nuclear reactor core.
Abstract:
An in-core restraint assembly is for a nuclear reactor core including an upper core plate, a lower core support plate and a plurality of fuel assemblies extending longitudinally therebetween. Each fuel assembly includes top and bottom nozzles and a plurality of elongated fuel rods extending therebetween. The in-core restraint assembly includes a first restraint element, such as a spring pack, coupled to the upper core support plate and providing a substantially axial compressive force on the top nozzle of the fuel assembly. An optional second restraint element is structured to be coupled to the lower core plate in order to engage and further restrain the fuel assembly proximate the bottom nozzle. The second restraint element includes a pin member extending from the bottom nozzle of the fuel assembly and received in a socket coupled to the lower core support plate, whereby this mating sustains a longitudinal (vertical) frictional force which must be overcome before fuel assembly lift off can occur.
Abstract:
A radiation barrier for shielding a person from radiation emitted from a radiation source. The barrier includes a radiopaque wall extending between opposite lateral edges, wherein the wall is positionable between the radiation source and the person to prevent radiation from traveling directly between the radiation source and the person, and a radiopaque deflector extending from the wall and obliquely angled relative to the wall.