Nuclear-radiation-actuated valve. [Patent application; for increasing coolant flow to blanket]

Patent · Tue Jan 19 04:00:00 EST 1982

OSTI ID:6746105

Christiansen, D W; Schively, D P

The present invention relates to a breeder reactor blanket fuel assembly coolant system valve which increases coolant flow to the blanket fuel assembly to minimize long-term temperature increases caused by fission of fissile fuel created from fertile fuel through operation of the breeder reactor. The valve has a valve first part (such as a valve rod with piston) and a valve second part (such as a valve tube surrounding the valve rod, with the valve tube having side slots surrounding the piston). Both valve parts have known nuclear radiation swelling characteristics. The valve's first part is positioned to receive nuclear radiation from the nuclear reactor's fuel region. The valve's second part is positioned so that its nuclear radiation induced swelling is different from that of the valve's first part. The valve's second part also is positioned so that the valve's first and second parts create a valve orifice which changes in size due to the different nuclear radiation caused swelling of the valve's first part compared to the valve's second part. The valve may be used in a nuclear reactor's core coolant system.

• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76FF02170
• Assignee: Dept. of Energy
• Patent Number(s): PATENTS-US-A340621
• Application Number: ON: DE83002353
• OSTI ID: 6746105
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210500* -- Power Reactors
Breeding
BREEDER REACTORS
BREEDING BLANKETS
CONTROL EQUIPMENT
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
FLOW REGULATORS
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
RADIATION EFFECTS
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
SWELLING
VALVES