Axially staggered seed-blanket reactor fuel module construction

Patent · Tue Mar 26 04:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5497867

Cowell, G K; DiGuiseppe, C P

A heterogeneous nuclear reactor of the seed-blanket type is provided wherein the fissle (seed) and fertile (blanket) nuclear fuels are segregated axially within each fuel element such that fissile and fertile regions occur in an alternating pattern along the length of the fuel element. Further, different axial stacking patterns are used for the fuel elements of at least two module types such that when modules of different types are positioned adjacent to one another, the fertile regions of the modules are offset or staggered. Thus, when a module of one type is surrounded by modules of the second type the fertile regions thereof will be surrounded on all sides by fissile material. This provides enhanced neutron communication both radially and axially, thereby resulting in greater power oscillation stability than other axial arrangements. The arrangements of the fissile and fertile regions in an alternating axial manner minimizes the radial power peaking factors and provides a more optional thermal-hydraulic design than is afforded by radial arrangements.

• Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Department of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4507259
• OSTI ID: 5497867
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220300* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Fuel Elements
AXIAL SYMMETRY
BREEDING BLANKETS
ENERGY SOURCES
FERTILE MATERIALS
FISSILE MATERIALS
FISSIONABLE MATERIALS
FUEL ELEMENTS
FUELS
HETEROGENEOUS EFFECTS
MATERIALS
MODULAR STRUCTURES
NUCLEAR FUELS
POWER REACTORS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR MATERIALS
REACTORS
SYMMETRY