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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Low neutron fluence nuclear reactor internals

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6564125
This patent describes a nuclear reactor pressure vessel having a core made of generally rectangular components surrounded by a generally cylindrical core barrel to thereby define an irregular area therebetween such that some regions of the core are closer to the core barrel than others, an assembly for reducing the fast neutron flux encountered by the reactor vessel. It comprises: a neutron reflector comprised of stacked plates situated in the irregular area between the core and the core barrel for reflecting fast neutrons back into the cores, the neutron reflector located in the irregular area wherein the regions of the core are closer to the core barrel is made of material selected from the group consisting of tungsten and zirconium oxide, and the reflector located in the remainder of the irregular area is made of stainless steel; and a neutron energy reducer disposed around the periphery of the core barrel for reducing the energy of any fast neutrons which pass through the neutron reflector.
Assignee:
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (USA)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 4941159
Application Number:
PPN: US s 7-257917
OSTI ID:
6564125
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English