Lower tie plate with stepped holes to control pressure drop and flow distribution

Patent · Tue Mar 05 04:00:00 EST 1991

OSTI ID:5376798

Johansson, E B; Curulla, M V; Danielson, D W

This patent describes a fuel bundle for a boiling water nuclear reactor. The fuel bundle includes a lower tie plate for the support of fuel rods in side-by-side upstanding relation and permitting the inflow of moderating coolant for the moderation of fast neutrons to thermal neutrons for the maintenance of a critical nuclear reaction and the generation of steam from the coolant, an upper tie plate for the upper support of fuel rods in the side-by-side upstanding relation and permitting the outflow of moderating coolant and generated steam; fuel rods arrayed in a matrix supported on the lower tie plate and extending towards and to the upper tie plate. The fuel rods containing fissionable material for supporting a critical nuclear reaction; a channel surrounding the tie plates and the fuel rods for confining fluid flow between the upper and lower tie plates to cause heating of the moderator with boiling in the upper portion of the fuel bundle.

• Assignee: General Electric Co., San Jose, CA (USA)
• Patent Number(s): A; US 4997621
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-322480
• OSTI ID: 5376798
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
BWR TYPE REACTORS
DESIGN
FLUID FLOW
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
FUEL ELEMENT CLUSTERS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUEL RODS
LIQUID FLOW
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
PLATES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTORS
SUPPORTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS