Control system for a small fission reactor

Patent · Tue Feb 04 00:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:5986443

Burelbach, J P; Kann, W J; Saiveau, J G

This patent describes a system for controlling the reactivity of a fission reactor including a reactor core containing a liquid coolant in which fission reactions occur producing energetic neutrons which initiate and sustain the fission reactions. The system consists of: 1.) neutron reflecting means positioned around the reactor core in spaced relation so as to define a space for reflecting energetic neutrons which escape from the reactor core back into the reactor core for sustaining the fission reactions; 2.) a variable length control system positioned within the space between the reactor core and the neutron reflector for absorbing neutrons which escape from the reactor core. The control system includes at least one flexible, helically coiled control element positioned around the periphery of the reactor core; and 3.) displacement coupled to the control system for varying the length of the control system positioned between the reactor core and the neutron reflector in regulating the number of energetic neutrons absorbed and controlling the reactivity of the fission reactor.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): US 4568515
• Application Number: TRN: 86-012788
• OSTI ID: 5986443
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: Filed date 8 Feb 1985
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
REACTOR CONTROL SYSTEMS
COOLANTS
FISSION
NEUTRON REFLECTORS
NEUTRONS
REACTIVITY
REACTOR CORES
REACTOR KINETICS
SIZE
BARYONS
CONTROL SYSTEMS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
KINETICS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEONS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
220400* - Nuclear Reactor Technology- Control Systems