摘要:
A nuclear reactor for generating electricity is disposed underground at the bottom of a vertical hole that can be drilled using conventional drilling technology. The primary coolant of the reactor core is the working fluid in a plurality of thermodynamically coupled heat pipes emplaced in the hole between the heat source at the bottom of the hole and heat exchange means near the surface of the earth. Additionally, the primary coolant (consisting of the working flud in the heat pipes in the reactor core) moderates neutrons and regulates their reactivity, thus keeping the power of the reactor substantially constant. At the end of its useful life, the reactor core may be abandoned in place. Isolation from the atmosphere in case of accident or for abandonment is provided by the operation of explosive closures and mechanical valves emplaced along the hole. This invention combines technology developed and tested for small, highly efficient, space-based nuclear electric power plants with the technology of fast-acting closure mechanisms developed and used for underground testing of nuclear weapons. This invention provides a nuclear power installation which is safe from the worst conceivable reactor accident, namely, the explosion of a nuclear weapon near the ground surface of a nuclear power reactor.
摘要:
A thermally activated trigger device 10 comprises a pressurized closed vessel 11 with a piston 12 slideably mounted in it to divide it into two compartments 14 and 16. A fluid such as an inert gas is contained within the compartments at substantially the same pressure. One end of one of the compartments has venting means 24, such as a normally closed pipe which vents the fluid from the compartment once the pipe becomes open by rupture or melting at an elevated temperature. The resulting pressure difference between the compartments on venting of the fluid moves the piston which is connected to an actuator means for performing a desired control or safety shut-down function. The trigger device is useful for performing many control and safety shut-down functions, particularly for rendering a nuclear space reactor subcritical upon reentry to the earth's atmosphere.
摘要:
A nuclear engine control system is provide which automatically compensates for reactor reactivity uncertainties at the start of life and reactivity losses due to core corrosion during the reactor life in gas-cooled reactors. The coolant gas flow is varied automatically by means of specially provided control apparatus so that the reactor control drums maintain a predetermined steady state position throughout the reactor life. This permits the reactor to be designed for a constant drum position and results in a desirable, relatively flat temperature profile across the core.
摘要:
A nuclear reactor of the metal hydride control type. Metal hydride is in two portions, one in the core and the other exterior of the core, and means are provided for permitting flow of hydrogen between the two portions. Control of reactivity is obtained by providing heating means in one or both portions, the heating being responsive to a neutron sensor.
摘要:
A nuclear reactor comprising: AN ELONGATED CYLINDRICAL CORE LONGITUDINALLY DIVIDED INTO QUADRANTS, EACH CORE QUADRANT BEING NEUTRONICALLY SUBCRITICAL; MEANS FOR FLEXIBLY FASTENING TOGETHER TWO DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED QUADRANTS AT ONE END OF SAID CORE AND FOR RETAINING THE REMAINING TWO QUADRANTS IN A FIXED POSITION; MEANS FOR DRIVING THE FREE ENDS OF SAID FLEXIBLY FASTENED QUADRANTS APART AND FOR RETURNING THEM TOGETHER; MEANS FOR CONTROLLING THE REACTIVITY OF SAID REACTOR CORE; AND, MEANS FOR REMOVING THE ENERGY GENERATED BY SAID REACTOR CORE.
摘要:
A reflector assembly for a molten chloride fast reactor (MCFR) includes a support structure with a substantially cylindrical base plate, a substantially cylindrical top plate, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending between the base plate and the top plate. The support structure is configured to encapsulate a reactor core for containing nuclear fuel. The MCFR also includes a plurality of tube members disposed within the support structure and extending axially between the top plate and the bottom plate. The plurality of tube members are configured to hold at least one reflector material to reflect fission born neutrons back to a center of the reactor core.