High flux reactor

A high flux nuclear reactor comprising:

• (a) a pressure vessel including reactor coolant inlet means at the first end thereof and reactor coolant outlet means at the second end thereof;
• (b) a reactor coolant;
• (c) a first core segment housed within said pressure vessel, said first core segment including a plurality of concentric, circumferential fuel plates, the spacing between said concentric fuel plates forming coolant flow channels, each said fuel plate being thin relative to said spacing between said fuel plates;
• (d) means for stationarily supporting said first core segment from said pressure vessel;
• (e) a second core segment housed within said pressure vessel and spaced axialy apart from said first core segment such that a coolant mixing plenum is formed therebetween, said second core segment including a plurality of concentric, circumferential fuel plates, the spacing between said concentric fuel plates forming coolant flow channels, each said fuel plate being thin relative to said spacing between said fuel plates;
• (f) means for stationarily supporting said second core segment from said pressure vessel;
• and
• (g) first core coolant bypass means for channeling a volume of said coolant between said inlet means and said coolant mixing plenum such that said coolant volume bypasses said first core segment.