US 2024/0112822 A1 · Nuclear Reactor Neutron Reflector

Abstract

A neutron reflector design which lowers stress in inner reflector members by supporting the inner reflector members on radially adjacent outer reflector members at the interface between the inner and outer reflector members, such that an individual inner reflector member is not supported by an inner reflector member in a layer of the reflector assembly immediately below, and the inner reflector member does not have to bear a load from an inner reflector member in a layer of the reflector assembly immediately above. The lowering of the load carried by the individual inner reflector members with this individual-member-support arrangement reduces stress-induced reflector damage with is enhanced in the high radiation flux environment adjacent to a nuclear reactor core. The inner reflector members are removable for replacement without the need to remove the outer reflector members.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A neutron reflector, comprising:

an outer reflector block;
and
an inner reflector block,
wherein an inner surface of outer reflector block is configured to support the inner reflector block at an outer surface of the inner reflector block, such that a top surface of the inner reflector block does not support a vertical load when in an installed position in the neutron reflector.

1 more element

A neutron reflector, comprising:

a plurality of outer reflector blocks arranged in a first ring;
and
a plurality of inner reflector blocks arranged in a second ring,
wherein
an inner surface of each of the plurality of outer reflector blocks faces a center of the first ring,
circumferential surfaces of the plurality of outer reflector blocks face in a circumferential direction of the first ring and are configured to abut the circumferential surfaces of circumferentially adjacent ones of the plurality of outer reflector blocks to form an arc of the first ring,
an outer surface of each of the plurality of inner reflector blocks faces a center of the first ring,
circumferential surfaces of the plurality of inner reflector blocks face in a circumferential direction of the second ring and are configured to abut the circumferential surfaces of circumferentially adjacent ones of the plurality of inner reflector blocks to form an arc of the second ring, and
the inner surfaces of the plurality of outer reflector block are configured to support the plurality of inner reflector blocks at the outer surface of the inner reflector blocks, such that top surfaces of the plurality of inner reflector block do not support a vertical load when in an installed position in the neutron reflector.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Nuclear Reactor Neutron Reflector

Life of this patent

Nuclear Reactor Neutron Reflector

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21