Abstract:
A nuclear fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor core, the fuel assembly having at least one fuel element including an elongated shell defining an interior volume, a lattice structure disposed within the interior volume, at least one flow channel extending through the lattice structure, at least one lattice site disposed in the lattice structure, and at least one fuel compact disposed within a corresponding one of the at least one lattice site, a first end cap including a boss having a first cross-sectional shape, the first end cap being affixed to a first end of the shell, and a second end cap including a first bore having a second cross-sectional shape, the second end cap being affixed to a second end of the shell, wherein the first cross-sectional shape of the boss is the same as the cross-sectional shape of the bore.
Abstract:
A nuclear power plant which includes a closed loop power generation circuit making use of helium as the working fluid. The plant further includes a helium inventory control system which includes a plurality of helium storage tanks whereby helium can be fed into or removed from the power generation circuit. Each helium storage tank is provided with a heat sink so that the tank has a relatively high thermal inertia which in turn restricts the temperature variation within the storage tank as a result of the introduction of helium into and/or the withdrawal of helium from the storage tank. This permits the optimization of the design of the storage tanks.
Abstract:
In a nuclear power plant making use of a high temperature gas cooled reactor, it is necessary, prior to commencing power generation and connection of a generator to an electrical distribution grid, to condition the power generation circuit of the plant. This involves creating stable conditions within the power generation circuit. To this end, the plant includes a start-up blower system for circulating working fluid, typically helium, around the power generation circuit until the desired conditions are satisfied. The start-up blower system typically includes a normally open in-line valve, at least one blower connected in parallel with the in-line valve and a normally closed isolation valve connected in series with the blower. Conditioning the power generation circuit will typically include stabilizing the pressure in the circuit at between 10 bar and 50 bar.
Abstract:
A method of regulating the power generated in a nuclear power plant which includes the step of regulating the flow of helium through the reactor. To this end, the power plant includes a closed loop power generation circuit having at least one compressor and a recirculation circuit whereby helium can be recirculated around the compressor. By regulating the flow of helium around the recirculation circuit using suitable valves the flow of helium through the reactor and hence the power generated can be regulated. The plant includes a helium inventory control system whereby the inventory of helium in the power generation circuit can be varied thereby varying the power generated in the circuit.
Abstract:
An enhanced architecture for a nuclear reactor core includes several technologies: (1) nuclear fuel tiles (S-Block); and (2) a high-temperature thermal insulator and tube liners with a low-temperature solid-phase moderator (U-Mod) to improve safety, reliability, heat transfer, efficiency, and compactness. In S-Block, nuclear fuel tiles include a fuel shape designed with an interlocking geometry pattern to optimize heat transfer between nuclear fuel tiles and into a fuel coolant and bring the fuel coolant in direct contact with the nuclear fuel tiles. Nuclear fuel tiles can be shaped with discontinuous nuclear fuel lateral facets and have fuel coolant passages formed therein to provide direct contact between the fuel coolant and the nuclear fuel tiles. In U-Mod, tube liners with low hydrogen diffusivity retain hydrogen in the low-temperature solid- phase moderator even at elevated temperatures and the high-temperature thermal insulator insulates the solid-phase moderator from the nuclear fuel tiles.
Abstract:
A nuclear power plant makes use of a high temperature gas cooled reactor. Under certain circumstances, the possibility exists that the temperature of gas entering various components of the plant exceeds desired operating parameters. To prevent this, the temperature of the gas entering at least one of the components of the power plant is monitored and, should the temperature of the gas exceed a predetermined temperature, cooler gas is mixed with the gas whose temperature had exceeded the predetermined temperature, to reduce the temperature of the gas. Accordingly, the plant includes at least one coolant feedline leading from a source of coolant gas, typically at a point in the power generation circuit where the temperature of the gas is relatively low, to a position upstream of the component. A coolant valve is mounted in the coolant feedline to regulate the flow of coolant gas therethrough.
Abstract:
The invention provides a mixing device which defines a mixing chamber having two inlets leading into the mixing chamber at angularly spaced positions. The device further includes an outlet leading from the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber is typically generally spherical in shape with the outlet being positioned diametrically opposite one of the inlets. The invention further provides a nuclear power plant having a core conditioning system including a pair of heat exchangers, namely a recuperator and a water cooled heat exchanger. The recuperator has a hot side and a cold side and the plant includes a mixing device positioned upstream of the inlet on the hot side of the recuperator to permit the temperature of gas being fed to the recuperator to be restricted to a predetermined maximum by mixing hot and cold gas in the mixing device prior to feeding the mixture into the hot side of the recuperator.
Abstract:
Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.