Liquid uranium alloy-helium fission reactor
This invention describes a nuclear fission reactor which has a core vessel and at least one tandem heat exchanger vessel coupled therewith across upper and lower passages to define a closed flow loop. Nuclear fuel such as a uranium alloy in its liquid phase fills these vessels and flow passages. Solid control elements in the reactor core vessel are adapted to be adjusted relative to one another to control fission reaction of the liquid fuel therein. Moderator elements in the other vessel and flow passages preclude fission reaction therein. An inert gas such as helium is bubbled upwardly through the heat exchanger vessel operable to move the liquid fuel upwardly therein and unidirectionally around the closed loop and downwardly through the core vessel. This helium gas is further directed to heat conversion means outside of the reactor vessels to utilize the heat from the fission reaction to generate useful output. The nuclear fuel operates in the 1200 to 1800/sup 0/C range, and even higher to 2500/sup 0/C.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy
- Patent Number(s):
- None
- Application Number:
- ON: TI85006511
- OSTI ID:
- 6071838
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Liquid uranium alloy-helium fission reactor
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Related Subjects
210000* -- Nuclear Power Plants
ACTINIDE ALLOYS
ACTINIDE COMPOUNDS
ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
COOLING SYSTEMS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FUELED REACTORS
FLUIDS
GAS COOLED REACTORS
GASES
HELIUM
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER REACTORS
PRIMARY COOLANT CIRCUITS
RARE GASES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTOR CORES
REACTORS
URANIUM ALLOYS
URANIUM COMPOUNDS
URANIUM OXIDES