Control rod blade extension for a nordic nuclear reactor

A system for installing and operating a control rod blade in a Nordic reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a nuclear powerplant, the system comprising:

• a control rod blade (CRB), wherein the CRB extends in an axial direction and includes a neutron absorber section and a single-piece lower fin joined directly below the neutron absorber section, wherein the lower fin includes a bottom terminal edge with a receptor, and wherein the entire control rod blade is shaped and sized to fit between a plurality of fuel bundles in the RPV;
• a control rod drive system configured for linearly moving the CRB in the axial direction;
• and
• an adapter having a single-piece construction, wherein,
• the single-piece adapter includes a top axial end shaped to directly mate with the receptor,
• the single-piece adapter includes a bottom axial end with a fastener that removably connects directly to the control rod drive,
• the single-piece adapter has an axial length spanning an entire distance between the receptor in the bottom terminal edge of the CRB and at least the top of the control rod drive, and
• the single-piece adapter is configured to connect the single-piece lower fin of the CRB and the control rod drive system via only the single-piece adapter.