A system for refueling a nuclear reactor is provided. The system includes a lower reactor vessel with a plurality of fuel rods and a plurality of control rods disposed therein, the lower reactor vessel further comprising an upper flange. An upper reactor vessel is provided which encloses a steam generator and a pressurizer, the upper reactor vessel further comprising a lower flange that matingly engages the upper flange of the lower reactor vessel. A transporter surrounds an outer surface of the upper reactor vessel, wherein the transporter is configured to translate the upper reactor vessel vertically toward and away from the lower reactor vessel and also to translate the upper reactor vessel horizontally toward or away from alignment with the lower reactor vessel.

A system for refueling a nuclear reactor is provided. The system includes a lower reactor vessel with a plurality of fuel rods and a plurality of control rods disposed therein, the lower reactor vessel further comprising an upper flange. An upper reactor vessel is provided which encloses a steam generator and a pressurizer, the upper reactor vessel further comprising a lower flange that matingly engages the upper flange of the lower reactor vessel. A transporter surrounds an outer surface of the upper reactor vessel, wherein the transporter is configured to translate the upper reactor vessel vertically toward and away from the lower reactor vessel and also to translate the upper reactor vessel horizontally toward or away from alignment with the lower reactor vessel.

A system for refueling a nuclear reactor is provided. The system includes a lower reactor vessel with a plurality of fuel rods and a plurality of control rods disposed therein, the lower reactor vessel further comprising an upper flange. An upper reactor vessel is provided which encloses a steam generator and a pressurizer, the upper reactor vessel further comprising a lower flange that matingly engages the upper flange of the lower reactor vessel. A transporter surrounds an outer surface of the upper reactor vessel, wherein the transporter is configured to translate the upper reactor vessel vertically toward and away from the lower reactor vessel and also to translate the upper reactor vessel horizontally toward or away from alignment with the lower reactor vessel.

An insulated solution injector may include an outer tube and an inner tube arranged within the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may define an annular space therebetween, and the inner tube may define a solution space within. The annular space may be configured so as to insulate the solution within the solution space. As a result, the solution may be kept to a temperature below its decomposition temperature prior to injection. Accordingly, the decomposition of the solution and the resulting deposition of its constituents within the solution space may be reduced or prevented, thereby decreasing or precluding the occurrence of a blockage.

An insulated solution injector may include an outer tube and an inner tube arranged within the outer tube. The outer tube and the inner tube may define an annular space therebetween, and the inner tube may define a solution space within. The annular space may be configured so as to insulate the solution within the solution space. As a result, the solution may be kept to a temperature below its decomposition temperature prior to injection. Accordingly, the decomposition of the solution and the resulting deposition of its constituents within the solution space may be reduced or prevented, thereby decreasing or precluding the occurrence of a blockage.

Provided herein is a nuclear fuel assembly for a pressurized water reactor. The nuclear fuel assembly comprises: a plurality of nuclear fuel rods configured to contain a fissile material, wherein the nuclear fuel assembly is configured such that a hydrogen to uranium ratio for the fuel assembly, when coolant and the fissile material are present under operating conditions, is at least 4.0. Also provided herein is a method for refueling a pressurized water nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear fuel assembly of the present disclosure.

Provided herein is a nuclear fuel assembly for a pressurized water reactor. The nuclear fuel assembly comprises: a plurality of nuclear fuel rods configured to contain a fissile material, wherein the nuclear fuel assembly is configured such that a hydrogen to uranium ratio for the fuel assembly, when coolant and the fissile material are present under operating conditions, is at least 4.0. Also provided herein is a method for refueling a pressurized water nuclear reactor comprising a nuclear fuel assembly of the present disclosure.

A system for storing nuclear fuel assemblies includes a plurality of cells housed within a support structure. A first cell may house a first fuel assembly and a second cell may house a second fuel assembly. A plurality of compartments separate the plurality of cells and provide passageways for coolant entering a bottom end of the support structure to remove heat from the nuclear fuel assemblies. A first perforation transfers coolant between the first cell and one or more of the compartments, and a second perforation transfers coolant between the second cell and the one or more compartments. At least a portion of the coolant entering the bottom end of the support structure is transferred between the plurality of cells and the plurality of compartments. Two or more fuel storage racks may be stacked together in alternating fuel patterns to facilitate cooling the fuel assemblies with liquid or air.

In one embodiment, a system and method for dry storage comprises removing spent fuel rods from their fuel rod assemblies and placing the freed fuel rods in a storage cell of a dry storage canister with a high packing density and without a neutron absorber material present.

There is provided a crack repairing method for suppressing a crack growth in a wall portion. The crack repairing method includes an injection step in which working fluid is injected into a crack formed into a surface of the wall portion of a target object and a vibration step in which vibration is applied to the working fluid in a direction from an crack initiation portion of the crack on the surface to an inner end portion of the crack. The crack repairing method further includes a deformation step in which a cavity is generated in the working fluid by the applied vibration and compressive residual stress is generated at the inner end portion of the crack.