Control for nuclear reactor
A nuclear reactor is described having an inherently safe automatic shutdown capability comprising a pressure vessel, a core located within the vessel and containing a sufficient amount of fissionable material to establish and sustain a chain-type fission reaction, and a plurality of elongated conduits disposed in a regular arrangement within the vessel. Each of the conduits defines a fluid flow path and comprises a first section located within and extending through the core, and a second section located exteriorly of the core and positioned above the first section. Each of the conduits contains a plurality of substantially spherical bodies in a sufficient quantity to substantially fill the first section of each of the conduits. The conduits are provided with a first fluid connection to a lower part of the first section and a second fluid connection to an upper part of the second section for the passage of a pressurized fluid therethrough while maintaining the reactor in operation. The nuclear reactor further comprises a means for supplying the pressurized fluid to said first fluid connection for moving all of said plurality of bodies from said first section to said second section of each of the elongated conduits to form a hydraulically stacked bed of the spherical bodies. A bypass means is located intermediate the second fluid connection, and the second section of each of the conduits and includes a plurality of fluid passageways distributed along the length of the second section for permitting a portion of the pressurized fluid to bypass a portion of the stacked bed of bodies during normal operation of the reactor. 5 claims, 7 figures.
- Assignee:
- Rockwell International Corp.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4076583
- OSTI ID:
- 5059149
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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