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Title: Advanced gray rod control assembly

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1093374
; ; ; ; ; ; ;

An advanced gray rod control assembly (GRCA) for a nuclear reactor. The GRCA provides controlled insertion of gray rod assemblies into the reactor, thereby controlling the rate of power produced by the reactor and providing reactivity control at full power. Each gray rod assembly includes an elongated tubular member, a primary neutron-absorber disposed within the tubular member said neutron-absorber comprising an absorber material, preferably tungsten, having a 2200 m/s neutron absorption microscopic capture cross-section of from 10 to 30 barns. An internal support tube can be positioned between the primary absorber and the tubular member as a secondary absorber to enhance neutron absorption, absorber depletion, assembly weight, and assembly heat transfer characteristics.

Research Organization:
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Cranberry Township, PA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
FC07-07ID14779
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Company LLC (Cranberry Township, PA)
Patent Number(s):
8,537,962
Application Number:
12/028,119
OSTI ID:
1093374
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (15)

Stabilized Rare Earth Oxides for a Control Rod and Method of Preparation patent January 1964
Nuclear Radiation Absorbing Glass patent November 1971
Neutron-absorbent control cluster for a nuclear reactor patent April 1998
Neutronic aspects of inert matrix fuels for application in ADS journal July 2003
Hafnium Alloy patent April 1970
Method of Preparing Oxides for Neutronic Reactor Control patent January 1967
Nuclear Reactor Absorbers patent May 1966
Refractory ceramic compositions and method for preparing same patent July 1976
Neutron Absorbers patent October 1973
Preparation of cermets patent February 1978
Internally Moderated Heat Sources and Method of Production patent April 1973
Advanced gray rod control assembly patent August 2008
Austenite stainless steels having excellent high temperature strength patent December 1985
Hybrid nuclear reactor grey rod to obtain required reactivity worth patent November 1991
Method and apparatus for monitoring the axial power distribution within the core of a nuclear reactor, exterior of the reactor patent March 1978

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Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS