NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE DESIGN
Abstract
An improved core design for a sodium-cooled, graphitemoderated nuclear reactor is described. The improved reactor core comprises a number of blocks of moderator material, each block being in the shape of a regular prism. A number of channels, extending the length of each block, are disposed around the periphery. When several blocks are placed in contact to form the reactor core, the channels in adjacent blocks correspond with each other to form closed conduits extending the length of the core. Fuel element clusters are disposed in these closed conduits, and liquid coolant is forced through the annulus between the fuel cluster and the inner surface of the conduit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the moderator blocks are in the form of hexagonal prisms with longitudinal channels cut into the corners of the hexagon. The main advantage of an "edge-loaded" moderator block is that fewer thermal neutrons are absorbed by the moderator cladding, as compared with a conventional centrally loaded moderator block.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4153568
- Patent Number(s):
- 2929768
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- NSA Number:
- NSA-14-016432
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-60
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- REACTOR TECHNOLOGY; ABSORPTION; CONFIGURATION; COOLANT LOOPS; FUEL CANS; FUEL ELEMENTS; GRAPHITE MODERATOR; LIQUID METAL COOLANT; NEUTRONS; PATENT; PLANNING; REACTOR CORE; REACTORS; SODIUM
Citation Formats
Mahlmeister, J E, Peck, W S, Haberer, W V, and Williams, A C. NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE DESIGN. United States: N. p., 1960.
Web.
Mahlmeister, J E, Peck, W S, Haberer, W V, & Williams, A C. NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE DESIGN. United States.
Mahlmeister, J E, Peck, W S, Haberer, W V, and Williams, A C. Tue .
"NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE DESIGN". United States.
@article{osti_4153568,
title = {NUCLEAR REACTOR CORE DESIGN},
author = {Mahlmeister, J E and Peck, W S and Haberer, W V and Williams, A C},
abstractNote = {An improved core design for a sodium-cooled, graphitemoderated nuclear reactor is described. The improved reactor core comprises a number of blocks of moderator material, each block being in the shape of a regular prism. A number of channels, extending the length of each block, are disposed around the periphery. When several blocks are placed in contact to form the reactor core, the channels in adjacent blocks correspond with each other to form closed conduits extending the length of the core. Fuel element clusters are disposed in these closed conduits, and liquid coolant is forced through the annulus between the fuel cluster and the inner surface of the conduit. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the moderator blocks are in the form of hexagonal prisms with longitudinal channels cut into the corners of the hexagon. The main advantage of an "edge-loaded" moderator block is that fewer thermal neutrons are absorbed by the moderator cladding, as compared with a conventional centrally loaded moderator block.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1960},
month = {3}
}