A method of controlling a nuclear power plant includes obtaining sensor data from one or more sensors of the nuclear power plant, providing the sensor data and a desired plant response to a neural network, wherein the neural network has been previously trained using a simulated nuclear power plant and is structured to determine at least one control system setting to achieve the desired plant response, determining at least one control system setting to achieve the desired plant response with the neural network, and setting or changing at least one control system setting of a control system of the nuclear power plant to the at least one control system setting determined by the neural network.

A method of decommissioning a nuclear facility including a plurality of sandboxes that cover a plurality of upper penetration holes, includes: exposing the plurality of pipes through the plurality of upper penetration holes by removing the plurality of sandboxes; and cutting the plurality of pipes through the plurality of upper penetration holes.

A method of obtaining transuranic elements for nanofuel including: receiving spent nuclear fuel (SNF); separating elements from SNF, including a stream of elements with Z>92, fissile fuel, passive agent, fertile fuel, or fission products; and providing elements. A method of using transuranic elements to create nanofuel, including: receiving, converting, and mixing the transuranic elements with a moderator to obtain nanofuel.

A nanofuel engine including receiving nanofuel (including a molecular mixture, where the molecular mixture includes at least one molecule with dimensions on a nanometer scale) internally in an internal engine that releases nuclear energy, is set forth. A nanofuel chemical composition of fissile fuel, passive agent, and moderator. A method of operating a nanofuel engine loaded with nanofuel in spark or compression ignition mode. A method of cycling a nanofuel engine, including compressing nanofuel; igniting nanofuel; capturing energy released in nanofuel, which is also the working fluid; and using the working fluid to perform mechanical work or generate heat.

A test capsule for measuring at least one property of a material exposed to nuclear radiation comprises a lattice structure configured to exhibit a change in at least one property responsive to exposure to nuclear radiation. The lattice structure comprises a first strut and a second strut connected to the first strut at a node. Related test capsules and methods are also described.

A pit gate includes a gate body which is inserted between a pool portion storing water and a canal portion connected to the pool portion and is configured to change a flow state of the water, and a seal portion (6) which is accommodated in a groove-shaped accommodation recess formed in the gate body and seals between the pool portion and the gate body. The seal portion (6) includes a low-rigidity portion (10) which is relatively easily deformed by a load according to a water pressure from the pool portion side, and a high-rigidity portion (11) which is provided on the pool portion side of the low-rigidity portion and is not easily deformed relatively by the load.

A thermal control system for a reactor pressure vessel comprises a plate having a substantially circular shape that is attached to a wall of the reactor pressure vessel. The plate divides the reactor pressure vessel into an upper reactor pressure vessel region and a lower reactor pressure vessel region. Additionally, the plate is configured to provide a thermal barrier between a pressurized volume located within the upper reactor pressure vessel region and primary coolant located within the lower reactor pressure vessel region. One or more plenums provide a passageway for a plurality of heat transfer tubes to pass through the wall of the reactor pressure vessel. The plurality of heat transfer tubes are connected to the plate.

A construction layout for underground caverns in a nuclear island powerhouse of an underground nuclear power plant, including: two primary caverns accomodating nuclear reactor powerhouses, combined caverns, electric powerhouse caverns, pressure relief caverns, a first primary traffic tunnel, a second primary traffic tunnel, a third primary traffic tunnel, a top adit system, a ground adit system, secondary traffic tunnels, and a side traffic tunnel. Each combined cavern and each electric powerhouse cavern are disposed at two sides of each primary cavern, respectively. Two combined caverns are in end-to-end connection and the arrangement direction of the two combined caverns are in parallel to the connecting line of the medial axes of the two primary caverns. Each pressure relief cavern is disposed between each combined cavern and a corresponding electric powerhouse cavern.

A construction layout for caverns of an underground nuclear power plant, including: two primary caverns accommodating nuclear reactor powerhouses, combined caverns, electric powerhouse caverns, pressure relief caverns, a first primary traffic tunnel, a second primary traffic tunnel, a third primary traffic tunnel, a top adit system, and a ground adit system. Each combined cavern is disposed on one side of each of the two primary caverns. Each electric powerhouse cavern and each pressure relief cavern are disposed on two sides of each of the two primary caverns perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mountain. Each electric powerhouse cavern is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the mountain. The first primary traffic tunnel and the third primary traffic tunnel are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the mountain on outer sides of the two combined caverns, respectively.

A construction layout for caverns of an underground nuclear power plant, including: two primary caverns accommodating nuclear reactor powerhouses, electric powerhouse caverns, safe powerhouse caverns, auxiliary powerhouse caverns, nuclear fuel powerhouse caverns, connecting powerhouse caverns, a first primary traffic tunnel, a third primary traffic tunnel, a second primary traffic tunnel, a fourth primary traffic tunnel, and a primary steam channel. The electric powerhouse caverns, the safe powerhouse caverns, and the nuclear fuel powerhouse caverns are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the mountain. Each of the safe powerhouse caverns and each of the nuclear fuel powerhouse caverns are disposed on two sides of each of the two primary caverns in the longitudinal direction of the mountain, respectively. Each of the electric powerhouse caverns and each of the safe powerhouse caverns are located on a same side of each the two primary caverns.