Nuclear reactor flow control method and apparatus

Patent · Tue Mar 30 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6220480

Church, J P

Method and apparatus for improving coolant flow in a nuclear reactor during accident as well as nominal conditions. The reactor has a plurality of fuel elements in sleeves and a plenum above the fuel and through which the sleeves penetrate. Holes are provided in the sleeve so that coolant from the plenum can enter the sleeve and cool the fuel. The number and size of the holes are varied from sleeve to sleeve with the number and size of holes being greater for sleeves toward the center of the core and less for sleeves toward the periphery of the core. Preferably the holes are all the same diameter and arranged in rows and columns, the rows starting from the bottom of every sleeve and fewer rows in peripheral sleeves and more rows in the central sleeves.

• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: IMS; EDB-93-120013
• Patent Number(s): US 5198185; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-689425
• OSTI ID: 6220480
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS
220200 -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Components & Accessories
220900* -- Nuclear Reactor Technology-- Reactor Safety
ACCIDENTS
COOLANTS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLOW RATE
FLUID FLOW
FLUID MECHANICS
FUEL ELEMENTS
HYDRAULICS
MECHANICS
OPENINGS
ORIFICES
REACTOR ACCIDENTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SHROUDS
SIZE
SLEEVES