Fuel elements having distinct zones or concentration gradients of fuel material along the axial direction, the radial direction, or both the axial and radial direction. An additive manufacturing process may be used to produce the fuel elements. The additive manufacturing process may facilitate production of the distinct zone or concentration gradient arrangement of the fuel elements, and may further allow both fuel and non-fuel material to be incorporated into any of the zones or within the gradients.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
G21C 21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
Nuclear fuel assemblies include fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The fuel kernel may be a metal alloy of metal fuel material and a metal-non-fuel material, or ceramic fuel in a metal non-fuel matrix. The fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional UO2 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
G21C 21/16 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by casting or dipping techniques
G21C 21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
Nuclear fuel assemblies include fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The fuel kernel may be a metal alloy of metal fuel material and a metal-non-fuel material, or ceramic fuel in a metal non-fuel matrix. The fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional UO2 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
B22F 5/10 - Manufacture of workpieces or articles from metallic powder characterised by the special shape of the product of articles with cavities or holes, not otherwise provided for in the preceding subgroups
G21C 21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
Fuel elements having distinct zones or concentration gradients of fuel material along the axial direction, the radial direction, or both the axial and radial direction. An additive manufacturing process may be used to produce the fuel elements. The additive manufacturing process may facilitate production of the distinct zone or concentration gradient arrangement of the fuel elements, and may further allow both fuel and non-fuel material to be incorporated into any of the zones or within the gradients.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
Fuel elements having distinct zones or concentration gradients of fuel material along the axial direction, the radial direction, or both the axial and radial direction. An additive manufacturing process may be used to produce the fuel elements. The additive manufacturing process may facilitate production of the distinct zone or concentration gradient arrangement of the fuel elements, and may further allow both fuel and non-fuel material to be incorporated into any of the zones or within the gradients.
G21C 3/16 - Details of the construction within the casing
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
A fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The assembly includes a plurality of helically twisted fuel elements supported by a frame in a fuel rod bundle. Each of the fuel elements includes fissile material. When viewed in a cross-section that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the fuel assembly, the outermost fuel elements of the fuel rod bundle define a substantially circular perimeter. The fuel elements are arranged in a mixed grid pattern that includes a first, rectangular grid pattern and a second, triangular grid pattern.
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
G21C 3/32 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
G21C 1/20 - Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor coolant being pressurised moderator being liquid, e.g. pressure-tube reactor
Nuclear fuel assemblies include non-symmetrical fuel elements with reduced lateral dimensions on their outer lateral sides that facilitate fitting the fuel assembly into the predefined envelope size and guide tube position and pattern of a conventional nuclear reactor. Nuclear fuel assemblies alternatively comprise a mixed grid pattern that positions generally similar fuel elements in a compact arrangement that facilitates fitting of the assembly into the conventional nuclear reactor.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
A method of manufacturing a fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The method includes manufacturing each of a plurality of elongated fuel elements by mixing powdered fuel material with powdered metal non-fuel material. The mixed powdered fuel material and metal non-fuel material is sintered to create a fuel core stock, the fuel core stock is surrounded with a cladding material, and the fuel core stock and cladding material are co-extruded to create the fuel element. The fuel element has a spirally twisted, multi-lobed profile that defines a plurality of spiral ribs. The multi-lobed profile includes lobe tips and intersections between adjacent lobes. The cladding is thicker at the tips than at the intersections. The plurality of elongated fuel elements are mounted to a frame of the fuel assembly. A moderator:fuel ratio in a region of the fuel elements is 2.5 or less.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 21/02 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
35 - Advertising and business services
Goods & Services
Nuclear fuel, namely, fuel for nuclear reactors Marketing services of nuclear fuel for others; wholesale distributorships featuring nuclear fuel in the nature of fuel for nuclear reactors
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
35 - Advertising and business services
Goods & Services
Nuclear fuel, namely, fuel for nuclear reactors Marketing services of nuclear fuel for others; wholesale distributorships featuring nuclear fuel in the nature of fuel for nuclear reactors
A fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The assembly includes a frame shaped and configured to fit within the nuclear reactor internal core structure; and a plurality of helically twisted fuel elements supported by the frame in a fuel rod bundle. Each of the fuel elements includes fissile material. When viewed in a cross-section that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the fuel assembly, the outermost fuel elements of the fuel rod bundle define a substantially circular perimeter. Other features, and a nuclear reactor, are also described.
A fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The assembly includes a frame shaped and configured to fit within the nuclear reactor internal core structure; and a plurality of helically twisted fuel elements supported by the frame in a fuel rod bundle. Each of the fuel elements includes fissile material. When viewed in a cross-section that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the fuel assembly, the outermost fuel elements of the fuel rod bundle define a substantially circular perimeter. Other features, and a nuclear reactor, are also described.
A fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The assembly includes a plurality of helically twisted fuel elements supported by a frame in a fuel rod bundle. Each of the fuel elements includes fissile material. When viewed in a cross-section that is perpendicular to an axial direction of the fuel assembly, the outermost fuel elements of the fuel rod bundle define a substantially circular perimeter. The fuel elements are arranged in a mixed grid pattern that includes a first, rectangular grid pattern and a second, triangular grid pattern.
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
G21C 1/20 - Heterogeneous reactors, i.e. in which fuel and moderator are separated moderator being substantially not pressurised, e.g. swimming-pool reactor moderator and coolant being different or separated, e.g. sodium-graphite reactor coolant being pressurised moderator being liquid, e.g. pressure-tube reactor
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
Nuclear fuel assemblies (710) include non-symmetrical fuel elements (730) with reduced lateral dimensions on their outer lateral sides that facilitate fitting the fuel assembly (710) into the predefined envelope size and guide tube position and pattern of a conventional nuclear reactor. Nuclear fuel assemblies (910) alternatively comprise a mixed grid pattern that positions generally similar fuel elements (920) in a compact arrangement that facilitates fitting of the assembly (910) into the conventional nuclear reactor.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
Nuclear fuel assemblies (710) include non-symmetrical fuel elements (730) with reduced lateral dimensions on their outer lateral sides that facilitate fitting the fuel assembly (710) into the predefined envelope size and guide tube position and pattern of a conventional nuclear reactor. Nuclear fuel assemblies (910) alternatively comprise a mixed grid pattern that positions generally similar fuel elements (920) in a compact arrangement that facilitates fitting of the assembly (910) into the conventional nuclear reactor.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
Nuclear fuel assemblies include non-symmetrical fuel elements with reduced lateral dimensions on their outer lateral sides that facilitate fitting the fuel assembly into the predefined envelope size and guide tube position and pattern of a conventional nuclear reactor. Nuclear fuel assemblies alternatively comprise a mixed grid pattern that positions generally similar fuel elements in a compact arrangement that facilitates fitting of the assembly into the conventional nuclear reactor.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 3/328 - Relative disposition of the elements in the bundle lattice
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
G21C 3/28 - Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in solid form within a non-active casing
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Custom design of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities; development and establishment of testing specifications and procedures in the field of nuclear fuel
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
Consulting services in the field of construction of nuclear energy facilities Consulting services in the field of production of nuclear energy Custom design of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities; design and testing of nuclear fuel; research and development of technology in the field of nuclear fuel; scientific research and development; technology consultation and research in the field of nuclear energy; development and establishment of testing specifications and procedures in the field of nuclear fuel Consulting services in the area of nuclear regulatory processes
A fuel assembly for use in a core of a nuclear power reactor. The fuel assembly can include a frame and a plurality of elongated, extruded fuel elements supported by the frame. The frame can include a lower nozzle that is shaped and configured to mount to an internal core structure of the nuclear power reactor. Each of the fuel elements can include a fuel kernel having fuel material disposed in a matrix of metal non-fuel material, the fuel material including fissile material, and a cladding surrounding the fuel kernel. The fuel assembly can have a moderator: fuel ratio in a region of the fuel elements of 2.4 or less.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
A locking mechanism (95, 125, 130) for a nuclear fuel assembly (2) having seed and blanket (6) subassemblies is configured to selectively lock the seed subassembly within the blanket subassembly, preventing separation thereof. The locking mechanism contains one or more detents (95) on one of the seed subassembly or the blanket subassembly, that are configured to engage with a surface feature on the other of the seed subassembly or the blanket subassembly. The locking mechanism contains a locking member movable between two positions. In a first position, the locking member (100) is configured to prevent the one or more detents from disengaging from the surface feature (125, 130), thereby holding the blanket subassembly and the seed subassembly together. In a second position, however, the detents are able to move into a non- locking position, such that the one or more detents may disengage from the surface feature as the seed subassembly is separated from the blanket subassembly.
G21C 3/33 - Supporting or hanging of elements in the bundleMeans forming part of the bundle for inserting it into, or removing it from, the coreMeans for coupling adjacent bundles
A 17×17 jacketless fuel assembly for a PWR-type light-water reactor uses thorium as the fuel. The fuel assembly has a square shape in the plan view, a seed region, a blanket region that encircles it, an upper nozzle, and a lower nozzle. The fuel elements of the seed region re arranged in the rows and columns of a square coordinate grid and have a four-lobed profile that forms spiral spacer ribs along the length of a fuel element. The blanket region contains a frame structure within which a bundle of fuel elements made from thorium with the addition of enriched uranium is positioned. The blanket region fuel elements are arranged in the two or three rows and columns of a square coordinate grid.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 5/20 - Moderator or core structureSelection of materials for use as moderator characterised by the provision of more than one active zone wherein one zone contains fissile material and another zone contains breeder material
G21C 1/02 - Fast fission reactors, i.e. reactors not using a moderator
G21C 3/33 - Supporting or hanging of elements in the bundleMeans forming part of the bundle for inserting it into, or removing it from, the coreMeans for coupling adjacent bundles
Nuclear fuel assemblies include fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The fuel kernel may be a metal alloy of metal fuel material and a metal-non-fuel material, or ceramic fuel in a metal non-fuel matrix. The fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional UO2 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
Nuclear fuel assemblies include fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The fuel kernel may be a metal alloy of metal fuel material and a metal-non-fuel material, or ceramic fuel in a metal non-fuel matrix. The fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional UO2 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
Nuclear fuel assemblies include fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The fuel kernel may be a metal alloy of metal fuel material and a metal-non-fuel material, or ceramic fuel in a metal non-fuel matrix. The fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional UO2 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
Nuclear fuel assemblies for use in nuclear power plants include all-metal fuel elements that are sintered or cast into billets and co-extruded into a spiral, multi-lobed shape. The increased thermal transfer properties of such fuel elements relative to conventional cylindrical uranium oxide fuel rods increases the amount of heat that can be transferred to the coolant at a lower fuel element temperature. The metal fuel elements may use more highly enriched fissile material while maintaining safe operating temperatures. Such metal fuel elements according to one or more embodiments may provide more power at a safer, lower temperature than possible with conventional uranium oxide fuel rods. The fuel assembly, fuel elements, and/or fuel kernels may include burnable poison. The fuel assembly may also include a plurality of conventional U02 fuel rods, which may help the fuel assembly to conform to the space requirements of conventional nuclear reactors.
G21C 3/08 - CasingsJackets provided with external means to promote heat-transfer, e.g. fins, baffles, corrugations
G21C 3/322 - Means to influence the coolant flow through or around the bundles
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
G21C 21/10 - Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings by extrusion, drawing, or stretching
Fuel elements are supported by fuel assemblies configured for use in land-based nuclear reactors such as the VVER-1000. The fuel elements include a kernel having a multi-lobed profile that forms spiral ribs that include fissionable material (e.g., uranium or plutonium), a central metal displacer extending along a longitudinal axis of the kernel, and a metal cladding (e.g., zirconium and/or other refractory metals) enclosing the kernel. The fuel element may be fabricated by joint extrusion of the displacer, kernel, and cladding through a die to metallurgically bond the kernel and cladding.
The invention falls into the category of light-water reactor's designs, in which thorium is used as the fuel, especially the designs of 17.times.17 jacketless fuel assembly, from which the cores of water-cooled, water-moderated power reactors are formed, such as reactors of the PWR type (for example, the AP-1000, the EPR, etc.). The light-water reactor fuel assembly has a square shape in the plan view and contains a seed region, a blanket region that encircles it, a upper nozzle, a lower nozzle of seed region, and a lower nozzle of blanket region. The fuel elements' bundle of seed region is arranged in the rows and columns of a square coordinate grid and has a four-lobed profile that forms spiral spacer ribs along the length of a fuel element. The blanket region contains a frame structure within which a bundle of fuel elements made from thorium with the addition of enriched uranium is positioned. The blanket region fuel elements are arranged in the two rows and columns of a square coordinate grid. In the other embodiment of the invention, the light-water reactor fuel assembly has a similar design; here, the blanket region fuel elements are arranged in the three rows and columns of a square coordinate grid.The invention also falls into the category of the fuel elements employed in fuel assemblies and light-water reactors of the PWR type (for example, the AP-1000, EPR, etc.) that use fuel assemblies.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
29.
A LIGHT-WATER REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY AND FUEL ELEMENT THEREOF
The invention discloses the use of thorium as the fuel for 17.times. 17 jacketless fuel assembly, from which the cores of water-cooled, water-moderated power reactors are formed. The light-water reactor fuel assembly has a square shape in the plan view and contains a seed region, a blanket region that encircles it, a upper nozzle, a lower nozzle of seed region, and a lower nozzle of blanket region. The fuel elements' bundle of seed region is arranged in the rows and columns of a square coordinate grid and has a four-lobed profile that forms spiral spacer ribs along the length of a fuel element. The blanket region contains a frame structure within which a bundle of fuel elements made from thorium with the addition of enriched uranium is positioned. The blanket region fuel elements are arranged in the two rows and columns of a square coordinate grid.
The invention relates to designs of light-water nuclear reactors in which thorium is used as the fuel, in particular to designs of jacketless fuel element assemblies which are used to form the active zones in water-cooled power reactors, such as reactors of the PWR type (for example, the AP1000, the EPR, etc.). A fuel assembly (1) for a light-water reactor has a square cross-section and comprises a seed module (2), a breeding module (3) surrounding said seed module, a head (4), a tailpiece (5) of the seed module and a tailpiece (6) of the breeding module. A bundle of fuel elements of the seed module (2) is arranged in the rows and columns of a square grid of coordinates and has a tetrapetalous profile forming helical spacer ribs along the length of the fuel element. The breeding module (3) comprises a body in which a bundle of fuel elements formed from thorium with enriched uranium added is arranged. The fuel elements of the breeding module are arranged in two rows and columns in a square grid of coordinates. In another embodiment of the invention, a fuel assembly for a light-water reactor has an analogous design, wherein the fuel elements of the breeding mоdule are arranged in three rows and columns in a square grid of coordinates. The invention also relates to fuel elements which can be used in fuel assemblies and light-water reactors of the PWR type (for example, the AP1000, the EPR, etc.) which use fuel assemblies.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
35 - Advertising and business services
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
Nuclear fuel. Marketing and sale of nuclear fuel. Consulting services in the field of construction of nuclear energy facilities. Consulting services in the field of production of nuclear energy; consulting services in the area of nuclear regulatory processes; design and testing of nuclear fuel; design of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities; research and development in the field of nuclear fuel; scientific research and development; technology consultation and research in the field of nuclear energy; technical planning of nuclear energy based power plants. Licensing and sale of nuclear fuel technology.
01 - Chemical and biological materials for industrial, scientific and agricultural use
35 - Advertising and business services
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
Nuclear fuel. Marketing and sale of nuclear fuel. Consulting services in the field of construction of nuclear energy facilities. Consulting services in the field of production of nuclear energy; consulting services in the area of nuclear regulatory processes; design and testing of nuclear fuel; design of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities; research and development in the field of nuclear fuel; scientific research and development; technology consultation and research in the field of nuclear energy; technical planning of nuclear energy based power plants. Licensing and sale of nuclear fuel technology.
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Consulting services in the field of construction of nuclear energy facilities Consulting services in the field of production of nuclear energy Consulting services in the area of nuclear regulatory processes Design and testing of nuclear fuel; research and development of technology in the field of nuclear fuel; scientific research and development; technology consultation and research in the field of nuclear energy; engineering services in the nature of technical planning of nuclear energy based power plants
37 - Construction and mining; installation and repair services
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
45 - Legal and security services; personal services for individuals.
Goods & Services
Consulting services in the field of construction of nuclear energy facilities Consulting services in the field of production of nuclear energy Design and testing of nuclear fuel; research and development of technology in the field of nuclear fuel; scientific research and development; technology consultation and research in the field of nuclear energy; engineering services in the nature of technical planning of nuclear energy based power plants Consulting services in the area of nuclear regulatory processes
35.
Nuclear reactor (alternatives), fuel assembly of seed-blanket subassemblies for nuclear reactor (alternatives), and fuel element for fuel assembly
The invention relates to light water reactor designs in which thorium is used as fuel and in particular to designs of jacketless fuel assemblies, which make up the cores of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) such as the VVER-1000. Nuclear reactor cores containing seed and blanket subassemblies that make up the fuel assemblies are used to burn thorium fuel together with conventional reactor fuel that includes nonproliferative enriched uranium, as well as weapons-grade and reactor-grade plutonium. In the first alternative, the reactor core is fully “nonproliferative,” since neither the reactor fuel nor the wastes generated can be used to produce nuclear weapons. In the second version of the invention, the reactor core is used to burn large amounts of weapons-grade plutonium together with thorium and provides a suitable means to destroy stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium and convert the energy released to electric power. The cores in both embodiments of the invention are made up of a set of seed-blanket assemblies, which have central seed areas surrounded by annular blanket areas. The seed areas contain uranium or plutonium fuel rods, while the blanket areas contain thorium fuel rods. The volume ratio of moderator to fuel and the relative sizes of the seed area and the blanket area have been optimized so that neither embodiment of the invention generates wastes that can be used to produced nuclear weapons. A new refueling system is also used for the first embodiment of the invention to maximize recycling of the seed fuel; the system also ensures that the spent nuclear fuel cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons.
The invention relates to light water reactor designs in which thorium is used as fuel and in particular to designs of jacketless fuel assemblies, which make up the cores of pressurized water reactors (PWRs) such as the VVER-1000. Nuclear reactor cores containing seed and blanket subassemblies that make up the fuel assemblies are used to burn thorium fuel together with conventional reactor fuel that includes nonproliferative enriched uranium, as well as weapons-grade and reactor-grade plutonium. In the first alternative, the reactor core is fully "nonproliferative," since neither the reactor fuel nor the wastes generated can be used to produce nuclear weapons. In the second version of the invention, the reactor core is used to burn large amounts of weapons-grade plutonium together with thorium and provides a suitable means to destroy stockpiles of weapons-grade plutonium and convert the energy released to electric power. The cores in both embodiments of the invention are made up of a set of seed-blanket assemblies, which have central seed areas surrounded by annular blanket areas. The seed areas contain uranium or plutonium fuel rods, while the blanket areas contain thorium fuel rods. The volume ratio of moderator to fuel and the relative sizes of the seed area and the blanket area have been optimized so that neither embodiment of the invention generates wastes that can be used to produced nuclear weapons. A new refueling system is also used for the first embodiment of the invention to maximize recycling of the seed fuel; the system also ensures that the spent nuclear fuel cannot be used to produce nuclear weapons. 5 pages and 21 claims, 9 illustrations.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
37.
NUCLEAR REACTOR (VARIANTS), FUEL ASSEMBLY CONSISTING OF DRIVER-BREEDING MODULES FOR A NUCLEAR REACTOR (VARIANTS) AND A FUEL CELL FOR A FUEL ASSEMBLY
The invention relates to a structural design for light-water-moderated nuclear reactors using a thorium fuel, in particular to the structural design for caseless fuel assemblies constituting the cores of water moderated power-producing reactors, such as a WWER-1000 reactor. A thorium fuel in a breeding module together with a conventional reactor fuel containing unshaped enriched uranium or power producing plutonium in a driver module are burned in the core of a nuclear reactor which comprises a fuel assembly consisting of a driver and breeding modules. The driver module comprises a bundle of three leaf-shaped fuel cells forming screw spacer ribs. The driver and breeding modules can be coupled to each other by means of a spigot joint or be free of a rigid mechanical coupling. The inventive structural design of the fuel assembly provides the total compatibility thereof with existing fuel assemblies used in the WWER-1000 reactors. The fact that the two-section fuel assembly can be disassembled makes it possible to individually reload the driver module.
G21C 3/326 - Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements comprising fuel elements of different compositionComprising, in addition to the fuel elements, other pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped elements, e.g. control rods, grid support rods, fertile rods, poison rods or dummy rods
