A system for controlling the power level of a natural circulation boiling water nuclear reactor (NCBWR) may include a heating subsystem for heating feedwater flowing into an annulus of the NCBWR to increase the temperature of recirculation water flowing through the core above a predetermined recirculation water operating temperature. Additionally the system may include a temperature sensor operable to sense the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus. The temperature sensor is communicatively connected to a temperature controller operable to command the heating subsystem to increase the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus to a requested temperature above a predetermined operating temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus. By increasing the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus, the temperature of the recirculation water is increased above the predetermined recirculation water operating temperature causing a reduction in the power level generated by the NCBWR core.

A system for controlling the power level of a natural circulation boiling water nuclear reactor (NCBWR) may include a heating subsystem for heating feedwater flowing into an annulus of the NCBWR to increase the temperature of recirculation water flowing through the core above a predetermined recirculation water operating temperature. Additionally the system may include a temperature sensor operable to sense the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus. The temperature sensor is communicatively connected to a temperature controller operable to command the heating subsystem to increase the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus to a requested temperature above a predetermined operating temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus. By increasing the temperature of the feedwater flowing into the annulus, the temperature of the recirculation water is increased above the predetermined recirculation water operating temperature causing a reduction in the power level generated by the NCBWR core.

A nuclear steam supply system having a start-up sub-system for heating a primary coolant. The nuclear steam supply system comprises a reactor vessel with core comprising nuclear fuel, and steam generating vessel fluidly coupled to the reactor vessel. A primary coolant loop formed within the reactor vessel and the steam generating vessel circulates primary coolant through the loop. A steam supply start-up sub-system is fluidly coupled to the primary coolant loop. The start-up sub-system is configured and operable to: (1) extract and receive a portion of the primary coolant from the primary coolant loop; (2) heat the portion of the primary coolant to form a heated portion of the primary coolant; and (3) inject the heated portion of the primary coolant back into the primary coolant loop.

A nuclear steam supply system having a start-up sub-system for heating a primary coolant. The nuclear steam supply system comprises a reactor vessel with core comprising nuclear fuel, and steam generating vessel fluidly coupled to the reactor vessel. A primary coolant loop formed within the reactor vessel and the steam generating vessel circulates primary coolant through the loop. A steam supply start-up sub-system is fluidly coupled to the primary coolant loop. The start-up sub-system is configured and operable to: (1) extract and receive a portion of the primary coolant from the primary coolant loop; (2) heat the portion of the primary coolant to form a heated portion of the primary coolant; and (3) inject the heated portion of the primary coolant back into the primary coolant loop.

A machine-learning tool learns from sensors' data of a nuclear reactor at steady state and maps them to controls of the nuclear reactor. The tool learns all given ranges of normal operation and responses for corrective measures. The tool may train another learning tool (or the same tool) that forecasts the behavior of the reactor based on real-time changes (e.g., every 10 seconds). The tool implements an optimization technique for differing half-life materials to be placed in the reactor. The tool maximizes isotope production based on optimal controls of the reactor.

A machine-learning tool learns from sensors' data of a nuclear reactor at steady state and maps them to controls of the nuclear reactor. The tool learns all given ranges of normal operation and responses for corrective measures. The tool may train another learning tool (or the same tool) that forecasts the behavior of the reactor based on real-time changes (e.g., every 10 seconds). The tool implements an optimization technique for differing half-life materials to be placed in the reactor. The tool maximizes isotope production based on optimal controls of the reactor.

This invention relates to the monitoring and diagnosing of nuclear power plants for its thermal performance using the NCV Method. Its applicability comprises any nuclear reactor such as used for research producing a useful output. Its greatest applicability lies with conventional Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor nuclear plants generating an electric power. Its teachings of treating fission as an inertial process, a phenomena which is self-contained following incident neutron capture, allows the determination of an absolute neutron flux. This process is best treated by Second Law principles producing a total fission exergy. This invention also applies to the design of fusion thermal systems regards the determination of its Second Law viability and absolute plasma flux.

This invention relates to the monitoring and diagnosing of nuclear power plants for its thermal performance using the NCV Method. Its applicability comprises any nuclear reactor such as used for research producing a useful output. Its greatest applicability lies with conventional Pressurized Water Reactor and Boiling Water Reactor nuclear plants generating an electric power. Its teachings of treating fission as an inertial process, a phenomena which is self-contained following incident neutron capture, allows the determination of an absolute neutron flux. This process is best treated by Second Law principles producing a total fission exergy. This invention also applies to the design of fusion thermal systems regards the determination of its Second Law viability and absolute plasma flux.

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 core plate assembly for a boiling water reactor, and a method of performing work thereon are disclosed. The core plate assembly comprises a core plate having through-going apertures, and a beam structure comprising parallel first beams and parallel second beams being perpendicular to the first beams. The beams enclose a plurality of rectangular areas each enclosing four of the through-going apertures. Control rod guide tubes are aligned with a respective one of the through-going apertures. A transition pieces is received in a respective one of the control rod guide tubes, and has four passages for communicating with a respective fuel assembly. Each passage permits a coolant flow into the respective fuel assembly. A flow inlet is provided for the coolant into each passage. At least one of the flow inlets has a cross-sectional shape deviating from a circular shape.