Devices, systems, and methods for configuring the layout of unit cell of a reactor core
AssigneeWestinghouse Electric Corp.
InventorsAlex Levinsky, Yuriy Aleshin, Alexander W. Harkness
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A configurable unit cell of a core of a nuclear reactor is disclosed herein. The configurable unit cell includes a core block material and a plurality of interchangeable components configured to affect a performance parameter of the core of the nuclear reactor. The configurable unit cell further includes a plurality of channels defined within the core block material. Each channel of the plurality of channels is configured to engage an interchangeable component of the plurality of interchangeable components in an operating configuration. Each channel of the plurality of channels is separated from an adjacent channel of the plurality of channels by a predetermined pitch.
Claims21
A core of a nuclear reactor, the core having an axial length, the core comprising:
- a plurality of components comprising a plurality of heat pipes, a plurality of fuel rods, a plurality of moderators, and a plurality of reactivity control rods;
- and
- a plurality of unit cells arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each unit cell of the plurality of unit cells is formed of a core block material, wherein the core block material comprises a first moderator material and wherein the plurality of unit cells comprise:
- a standard unit cell comprising a first plurality of channels defined within the core block material, wherein the first plurality of channels comprise:
- a first channel configured to accommodate a first heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes;
- a second channel configured to accommodate a first fuel rod of the plurality of fuel rods;
- and
- a third channel configured to accommodate a moderator of the plurality of moderators, the moderator comprising a second moderator material;
- and
- a reactivity control cell comprising a second plurality of channels defined within the core block material, wherein the second plurality of channels comprise:
- a fourth channel to accommodate a second heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes;
- a fifth channel to accommodate a second fuel rod of the plurality of fuel rods;
- and
- a sixth channel to accommodate a first reactivity control rod of the plurality of reactivity control rods.
A core of a nuclear reactor, the core having an axial length, the core comprising:
- a plurality of heat pipes;
- a plurality of fuel rods;
- a plurality of moderators;
- a plurality of reactivity control rods;
- and
- a plurality of unit cells arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each unit cell of the plurality of unit cells is formed of a core block material, wherein the core block material comprises a first moderator material, wherein the plurality of unit cells comprise:
- a first unit cell comprising a first plurality of channels defined within the core block material, wherein the first plurality of channels are arranged in the core block material at a uniform pitch such that the center-to-center distance between any two adjacent channels of the first plurality of channels is the same, and wherein the first plurality of channels comprise:
- a first channel to receive a first heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes;
- a second channel to receive a first fuel rod of the plurality of fuel rods;
- and
- a third channel to receive a moderator of the plurality of moderators, the moderator comprising a second moderator material;
- and
- a second control cell comprising a second plurality of channels defined within the core block material, wherein the second plurality of channels comprise:
- a fourth channel to receive a second heat pipe of the plurality of heat pipes;
- a fifth channel to receive a second fuel rod of the plurality of fuel rods;
- and
- a sixth channel to receive a first reactivity control rod of the plurality of reactivity control rods.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.