U.S. Department of EnergyOffice of Scientific and Technical Information
CHAIN REACTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A nuclear reactor of the gas-cooled, graphitemoderated type is described. In this design, graphite blocks are arranged in a substantially cylindrical lattice having vertically orienied coolant channels in which uranium fuel elements having through passages are disposed. The active lattice is contained within a hollow body. such as a steel shell, which, in turn, is surrounded by water and concrete shields. Helium is used as the primary coolant and is circulated under pressure through the coolant channels and fuel elements. The helium is then conveyed to heat exchangers, where its heat is used to produce steam for driving a prime mover, thence to filtering means where radioactive impurities are removed. From the filtering means the helium passes to a compressor and an after cooler and is ultimately returned to the reactor for recirculation. Control and safety rods are provided to stabilize or stop the reaction. A space is provided between the graphite lattice and the internal walls of the shell to allow for thermal expansion of the lattice during operation. This space is filled with a resilient packing, such as asbestos, to prevent the passage of helium.
- Inventors:
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Originating Research Org. not identified
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4330262
- Patent Number(s):
- US 2837477
- Assignee:
- U. S. Atomic Energy Commission
- NSA Number:
- NSA-12-014460
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-58
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- PATENTS; ASBESTOS; COMPRESSORS; CONCRETES; CONFIGURATION; CONTROL ELEMENTS; CYLINDERS; EXPANSION; FILTERS; FUEL ELEMENTS; GAS COOLANT; GRAPHITE MODERATOR; HEAT EXCHANGERS; HELIUM; IMPURITIES; PATENT; PRESSURE; RADIOACTIVITY; REACTORS; RODS; SHIELDING; STABILITY; STEAM; STEELS; URANIUM; WATER
Citation Formats
Fermi, E, and Leverett, M C. CHAIN REACTING SYSTEM. United States: N. p., 1958.
Web.
Fermi, E, & Leverett, M C. CHAIN REACTING SYSTEM. United States.
Fermi, E, and Leverett, M C. 1958.
"CHAIN REACTING SYSTEM". United States.
@article{osti_4330262,
title = {CHAIN REACTING SYSTEM},
author = {Fermi, E and Leverett, M C},
abstractNote = {A nuclear reactor of the gas-cooled, graphitemoderated type is described. In this design, graphite blocks are arranged in a substantially cylindrical lattice having vertically orienied coolant channels in which uranium fuel elements having through passages are disposed. The active lattice is contained within a hollow body. such as a steel shell, which, in turn, is surrounded by water and concrete shields. Helium is used as the primary coolant and is circulated under pressure through the coolant channels and fuel elements. The helium is then conveyed to heat exchangers, where its heat is used to produce steam for driving a prime mover, thence to filtering means where radioactive impurities are removed. From the filtering means the helium passes to a compressor and an after cooler and is ultimately returned to the reactor for recirculation. Control and safety rods are provided to stabilize or stop the reaction. A space is provided between the graphite lattice and the internal walls of the shell to allow for thermal expansion of the lattice during operation. This space is filled with a resilient packing, such as asbestos, to prevent the passage of helium.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4330262},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1958},
month = {Sun Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1958}
}