Nuclear reactor flow control method and apparatus

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:868713

Church, John P ^[1]

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1. 1204 Woodbine Rd., Aiken, SC 29803

Method and apparatus for improving coolant flow in a nuclear reactor during accident as well as nominal conditions. The reactor has a plurality of fuel elements in sleeves and a plenum above the fuel and through which the sleeves penetrate. Holes are provided in the sleeve so that coolant from the plenum can enter the sleeve and cool the fuel. The number and size of the holes are varied from sleeve to sleeve with the number and size of holes being greater for sleeves toward the center of the core and less for sleeves toward the periphery of the core. Preferably the holes are all the same diameter and arranged in rows and columns, the rows starting from the bottom of every sleeve and fewer rows in peripheral sleeves and more rows in the central sleeves.

• Research Organization: Savannah River Site (SRS), Aiken, SC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC09-89SR18035
• Assignee: Church, John P. (1204 Woodbine Rd., Aiken, SC 29803)
• Patent Number(s): US 5198185
• OSTI ID: 868713
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

nuclear
reactor
flow
control
method
apparatus
improving
coolant
accident
nominal
conditions
plurality
fuel
elements
sleeves
plenum
penetrate
holes
provided
sleeve
enter
cool
size
varied
center
core
periphery
preferably
diameter
arranged
rows
columns
starting
bottom
fewer
peripheral
central
flow control
fuel elements
fuel element
nuclear reactor
coolant flow
control method
nominal condition
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