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Title: Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor

Abstract

An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a core having a coolant inlet end and a coolant outlet end. A cooling system operatively associated with the core provides coolant to the coolant inlet end and removes heated coolant from the coolant outlet end, thus maintaining a pressure differential therebetween during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. A guide tube is positioned within the core with a first end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant inlet end of the core, and a second end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant outlet end of the core. A control element is positioned within the guide tube and is movable therein between upper and lower positions, and automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position when the pressure differential drops below a safe pressure differential.

Inventors:
; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1175596
Patent Number(s):
6980619
Application Number:
10/801,220
Assignee:
Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (Idaho Falls, ID)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21C - NUCLEAR REACTORS
G - PHYSICS G21 - NUCLEAR PHYSICS G21D - NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
DOE Contract Number:  
AC07-99ID13727
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS

Citation Formats

Ougouag, Abderrafi M., Schultz, Richard R., and Terry, William K. Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor. United States: N. p., 2005. Web.
Ougouag, Abderrafi M., Schultz, Richard R., & Terry, William K. Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor. United States.
Ougouag, Abderrafi M., Schultz, Richard R., and Terry, William K. Tue . "Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175596.
@article{osti_1175596,
title = {Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor},
author = {Ougouag, Abderrafi M. and Schultz, Richard R. and Terry, William K.},
abstractNote = {An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a core having a coolant inlet end and a coolant outlet end. A cooling system operatively associated with the core provides coolant to the coolant inlet end and removes heated coolant from the coolant outlet end, thus maintaining a pressure differential therebetween during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. A guide tube is positioned within the core with a first end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant inlet end of the core, and a second end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant outlet end of the core. A control element is positioned within the guide tube and is movable therein between upper and lower positions, and automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position when the pressure differential drops below a safe pressure differential.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 2005},
month = {Tue Dec 27 00:00:00 EST 2005}
}