Abstract:
In a nuclear reactor employing porous fuel irregularities of coolant flow can occur through the porous fuel at different parts of the core. According to the present invention means are provided to lessen the non uniformity of coolant flow and typically sleeves with control orifices in their walls are employed to regulate the coolant flow through porous fuel tubes.
Abstract:
A vent structure for reliable long term operation at high temperatures is fabricated by annealing a tubing of predetermined length and size, uniformly filling a normally upper portion of the tubing with a predetermined thickness layer of fine alumina particles, flattening and doubly folding and pressing the upper portion of the tubing at predetermined pressures, annealing the formed tubing, and installing a particulate filter in the undeformed normally lower portion of the tubing. For use in venting helium generating reactor control pins located under hot molten sodium, a vent assembly including the vent structure and providing an air lock between the outer molten sodium and the vent is affixed to the upper end of each control pin.
Abstract:
A fuel element for a nuclear reactor comprises a hollow structure forming a coolant path and one or more partitions intercepting the coolant flow between the inlet and the outlet, the partitions comprising perforated, aperture or porous supporting walls flanking a porous mass of coated nuclear-fuel particles.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a venting device for nuclear reactor control and fuel rods having fissionable material contained in a cladding, characterized by a porous disk forming part of the wall of the rod, said disk allowing the fission gases to pass therethrough and preventing the liquid sodium coolant from entering the rod.
Abstract:
A fuel pin for a fuel element of a nuclear reactor (for example of the sodium cooled fast breeder type) is of the elongate tubular type having its inner and outer sheaths sealingly secured together at one end and at the other end having first and second sealing means is spaced adjacent relationship to one another and each allowing relative longitudinal movement between the two sheaths. A duct provides a vent path to the outside of the fuel pin from the space between the two sheaths and bounded by the two sealing means. The duct is conveniently provided by a capillary tube helically coiled about the outside of the fuel pin and terminating at that end of the fuel pin which is remote from the two sealing means.
Abstract:
A VENTED FUEL ELEMENT FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR OF THE LIQUIDMETAL COOLED TYPE IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PENETRATION OF THE LIQUID METAL COOLANT INTO THE FUEL ELEMENT CAN THROUGH THE FISSION-GAS DISCHARGE VENT. THE VENT ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION COMPRISES A COMPARTMENT WHICH IS SEPARATED FROM THE CAN INTERIOR BY A FIRST POROUS PLUG AND FORM THE LIQUID METAL BY A SECOND POROUS PLUG. THE LIQUID METAL WHICH HAS PASSED THROUGH THE SECOND PLUG IS INTENDED TO TRANSPORT A POWDERED PRODUCT WHICH IS PRESENT WITHIN THE COMPARTMENT EITHER INT THE FIRST PLUG WHICH IS THEREBY RENDERED IMPERMEABLE TO THE LIQUID METAL OR IN THE DIRECTION OF THE SECOND PLUG SO AS TO BRING THE POWDERED PRODUCT INTO CONTACT WITH THE SECOND PLUG AND THUS PERMIT THE DISCHARGE OF FISSION GASES.
Abstract:
A gas cooled reactor having a core composed of a plurality of similar replaceable fuel bearing blocks of moderator material. The blocks are substantially pentagonal in cross section and assembled side by side with the flanks of one block engaging the flanks of adjacent blocks. The blocks are interlocked due to their shape such that upon removable of a block a neighboring block will not topple into the void so created. The corners of adjacent blocks are grooved to receive longitudinal members which are withdrawable to provide looseness between the flanks of adjacent blocks.
Abstract:
A fuel element for a nuclear reactor includes a vent permitting release of gaseous fission products to the coolant during operation of the reactor while ensuring that the fuel material is sealed within the fuel element at other times. This is accomplished with a valve member such as a ball or needle of low coefficient of thermal expansion disposed within a passageway in an end cap for the fuel element which is formed of a material having a high coefficient of thermal expansion. At low temperatures the vent is sealed by the ball or needle, at high temperatures it is open so that fission gases can pass therethrough.
Abstract:
TO ALLOW DECAY OF SOME OF THE GASEOUS FISSION PRODUCTS PRODUCED FROM NUCLEAR FUEL UNDER IRRADIATION BEFORE DISCHARGE OF SAID PRODUCTS FROM THE INTERIOR OF A NUCLEAR REACTOR FUEL ELEMENT OF THE VENTED TYPE TO THE EXTERIOR SURROUNDINGS OF THE FUEL ELEMENT, THERE IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE FUEL ELEMENT A PASSAGE-DEFINING COMPONENT SUCH AS A CAPILLARY TUBE, AN EXTERNAL SURFACE OF WHICH DEFINES AN ADDITIONAL PASSAGE IN SERIES WITH THE PASSAGE DEFINED BY THE COMPONENT, THE TWO PASSAGES TOGETHER PROVIDING A VENT PATH FOR GASEOUS FISSION PRODUCTS. ALTERNATIVELY ON THE ADDITION, TUBING IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE FUEL ELEMENT EXTENDS AT LEAST IN PART OVER THE EXTERNAL SURFACE OF THE FUEL ELEMENT AND PROVIDES A VENT PATH OR ADDITIONAL VENT PATH. SUCH TUBING MAY BE IN THE FORM OF A CAPILLARY TUBE COILED OVER SAID SURFACE
WHICH SERVES ALSO FOR FUEL ELEMENT SPACING AND TO IMPROVE HEAT TRANSFER TO COOLANT FLOWING OVER THE FUEL ELEMENT.