Radial neutron reflector

Patent · Tue Jun 14 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:7065484

Freeman, T R; Alsop, B H; Sherwood, D G

This patent describes a nuclear reactor using light water as a reactor coolant, comprising a nuclear core, a core barrel surrounding the nuclear core, and a radial space between the core barrel and the core, the reactor coolant flowing in the radial space and comprising core bypass coolant flow, neutron reflector means comprising a substantially non-hydrogen containing material fitted within the radial space for substantially displacing the reactor coolant in the radial space, the neutron reflector means comprising elongated metal sealed cans arranged side by side. The cans each have elongated metal rods contained therein, a flow inlet nozzle connected to one end of each of the cans and a flow outlet nozzle connected to the other end of the cans and one or more plates attached to and fitted within the cans in a direction at right angles to the rods. The rods pass through one or more plates, the nozzles and one or more plates having flow openings therethrough for passage of reactor coolant flow through the cans to regulate the axial pressure distribution within the cans, and clearance spaces between adjacent cans, between the cans and the core barrel and between the cans and fuel assemblies for selectively regulating core bypass flow up and around the cans. The core barrel and the cans are cooled, respectively, to prevent excess thermal bowing of the cans to remove heat from locations of high heat generation from the cans and the core barrel.

• Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA
• Patent Number(s): US 4751043
• OSTI ID: 7065484
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
210100* -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Boiling Water Cooled
210200 -- Power Reactors
Nonbreeding
Light-Water Moderated
Nonboiling Water Cooled
BYPASSES
CONTAINERS
COOLANTS
COOLING SYSTEMS
DESIGN
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SYSTEMS
FLUID FLOW
FUEL ASSEMBLIES
METALS
NEUTRON REFLECTORS
NOZZLES
REACTOR COMPONENTS
REACTOR COOLING SYSTEMS
REACTORS
WATER COOLED REACTORS