Nuclear reactor fluence reduction systems and methods
AssigneeGlobal Nuclear Fuel - Americas, LLC
InventorJohn P. Rea
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Nuclear fuel assemblies include at least one fluence control structure for use in a nuclear reactor core with other nuclear fuel assemblies. Such flux-limiting assemblies and structures may be positioned outside of or around the other nuclear fuel assemblies in the core so as to reduce neutron flux beyond the fluence controlled nuclear fuel assemblies, and fluence control structures may be positioned at an outside edge of the core. Fluence control structures limit neutron flux with non-fuel materials in structures like fuel rods and inserts, channels, shield curtains, etc. at particular positions in fuel assemblies. An engineer may select and/or install fluence-limiting fuel assemblies with flux-limiting characteristics in cores having neutronics profiles expected to benefit from such flux limitation.
Claims10
A core for a nuclear reactor, the core including fissile material for generating power and having an edge beyond which no fissile material extends, wherein the core comprises:
- a plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies including the fissile material;
- and
- a fluence controlled nuclear fuel assembly at the edge of the core, wherein the fluence controlled nuclear fuel assembly includes the fissile material and a fluence control structure integrally within the fluence controlled nuclear fuel assembly only at the edge of the core, wherein the fluence control structure is fabricated of materials that reduce neutron flux so as to reduce neutron flux beyond the edge of the core, and wherein the plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies lack the fluence control structure and are a same configuration as, and interchangeable with, the fluence controlled nuclear fuel assembly in the core.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.