Thermal breeder fuel enrichment zoning
Abstract
A method and apparatus for improving the performance of a thermal breeder reactor having regions of higher than average moderator concentration are disclosed. The fuel modules of the reactor core contain at least two different types of fuel elements, a high enrichment fuel element and a low enrichment fuel element. The two types of fuel elements are arranged in the fuel module with the low enrichment fuel elements located between the high moderator regions and the high enrichment fuel elements. Preferably, shim rods made of a fertile material are provided in selective regions for controlling the reactivity of the reactor by movement of the shim rods into and out of the reactor core. The moderation of neutrons adjacent the high enrichment fuel elements is preferably minimized as by reducing the spacing of the high enrichment fuel elements and/or using a moderator having a reduced moderating effect.
- Inventors:
-
- Schenectady, NY
- Albany, NY
- Latham, NY
- Rotterdam, NY
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL), Niskayuna, NY (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 868425
- Patent Number(s):
- 5136619
- Assignee:
- United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
- 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
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-12-0052
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- thermal; breeder; fuel; enrichment; zoning; method; apparatus; improving; performance; reactor; regions; average; moderator; concentration; disclosed; modules; core; contain; types; elements; element; arranged; module; located; preferably; shim; rods; fertile; material; provided; selective; controlling; reactivity; movement; moderation; neutrons; adjacent; minimized; reducing; spacing; reduced; moderating; effect; breeder reactor; fuel elements; fuel element; reactor core; fertile material; shim rod; elements located; fuel module; fuel modules; thermal breeder; breeder fuel; /376/
Citation Formats
Capossela, Harry J, Dwyer, Joseph R, Luce, Robert G, McCoy, Daniel F, and Merriman, Floyd C. Thermal breeder fuel enrichment zoning. United States: N. p., 1992.
Web.
Capossela, Harry J, Dwyer, Joseph R, Luce, Robert G, McCoy, Daniel F, & Merriman, Floyd C. Thermal breeder fuel enrichment zoning. United States.
Capossela, Harry J, Dwyer, Joseph R, Luce, Robert G, McCoy, Daniel F, and Merriman, Floyd C. Wed .
"Thermal breeder fuel enrichment zoning". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/868425.
@article{osti_868425,
title = {Thermal breeder fuel enrichment zoning},
author = {Capossela, Harry J and Dwyer, Joseph R and Luce, Robert G and McCoy, Daniel F and Merriman, Floyd C},
abstractNote = {A method and apparatus for improving the performance of a thermal breeder reactor having regions of higher than average moderator concentration are disclosed. The fuel modules of the reactor core contain at least two different types of fuel elements, a high enrichment fuel element and a low enrichment fuel element. The two types of fuel elements are arranged in the fuel module with the low enrichment fuel elements located between the high moderator regions and the high enrichment fuel elements. Preferably, shim rods made of a fertile material are provided in selective regions for controlling the reactivity of the reactor by movement of the shim rods into and out of the reactor core. The moderation of neutrons adjacent the high enrichment fuel elements is preferably minimized as by reducing the spacing of the high enrichment fuel elements and/or using a moderator having a reduced moderating effect.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992},
month = {Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1992}
}