Axially staggered seed-blanket reactor fuel module construction

Patent · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:865385

Cowell, Gary K ^[1]; DiGuiseppe, Carl P ^[2]

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1. Monroeville, PA
2. West Mifflin, PA

A heterogeneous nuclear reactor of the seed-blanket type is provided wher the fissile (seed) and fertile (blanket) nuclear fuels are segregated axially within each fuel element such that fissile and fertile regions occur in an alternating pattern along the length of the fuel element. Further, different axial stacking patterns are used for the fuel elements of at least two module types such that when modules of different types are positioned adjacent to one another, the fertile regions of the modules are offset or staggered. Thus, when a module of one type is surrounded by modules of the second type the fertile regions thereof will be surrounded on all sides by fissile material. This provides enhanced neutron communication both radially and axially, thereby resulting in greater power oscillation stability than other axial arrangements. The arrangements of the fissile and fertile regions in an alternating axial manner minimizes the radial power peaking factors and provides a more optional thermal-hydraulic design than is afforded by radial arrangements.

• Research Organization: Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC11-76PN00014
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 4507259
• OSTI ID: 865385
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

axially
staggered
seed-blanket
reactor
fuel
module
construction
heterogeneous
nuclear
type
provided
fissile
seed
fertile
blanket
fuels
segregated
element
regions
occur
alternating
pattern
length
axial
stacking
patterns
elements
types
modules
positioned
adjacent
offset
surrounded
material
provides
enhanced
neutron
communication
radially
resulting
power
oscillation
stability
arrangements
manner
minimizes
radial
peaking
factors
optional
thermal-hydraulic
design
afforded
nuclear fuels
fuel elements
fuel element
nuclear fuel
nuclear reactor
reactor fuel
fissile material
positioned adjacent
provides enhanced
module construction
fuel module
enhanced neutron
/376/976/