This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.

An entire nuclear fuel core comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies is preassembled in a nuclear fuel cartridge having a self-supporting unitary support structure. During a refueling operation, the unitary support structure is moved into a nuclear reactor vessel. The unitary support structure may be formed by top and bottom core plates coupled together by vertically-oriented connecting rods which compress the fuel assemblies therebetween. A plurality of reflector wall segments circumscribe the core and are the coupled together between the core plates by the connecting rods which are coupled to the core plates. The connecting rods may extend through the wall segments.

An entire nuclear fuel core comprising a plurality of fuel assemblies is preassembled in a nuclear fuel cartridge having a self-supporting unitary support structure. During a refueling operation, the unitary support structure is moved into a nuclear reactor vessel. The unitary support structure may be formed by top and bottom core plates coupled together by vertically-oriented connecting rods which compress the fuel assemblies therebetween. A plurality of reflector wall segments circumscribe the core and are the coupled together between the core plates by the connecting rods which are coupled to the core plates. The connecting rods may extend through the wall segments.

A nuclear reactor including a reactor core comprising a plurality of fuel materials and a plurality of heat pipes. The nuclear reactor further includes a heat exchanger coupled to the reactor core defining a flow path in an open volume including at least two heat pipes of the plurality of heat pipes. Methods of operating a nuclear reactor include passing fluid through an open volume in a heat exchanger including at least two heat pipes extending from a reactor core.

Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around a reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described. A further configuration is described that utilizes a core barrel between a reactor core volume of molten fuel salt and a reflector volume, in which the reflector volume contains a plurality of individual reflector elements separated by an interstitial space filled with molten fuel salt.

Configurations of molten fuel salt reactors are described that utilize neutron-reflecting coolants or a combination of primary salt coolants and secondary neutron-reflecting coolants. Further configurations are described that circulate liquid neutron-reflecting material around a reactor core to control the neutronics of the reactor. Furthermore, configurations which use the circulating neutron-reflecting material to actively cool the containment vessel are also described. A further configuration is described that utilizes a core barrel between a reactor core volume of molten fuel salt and a reflector volume, in which the reflector volume contains a plurality of individual reflector elements separated by an interstitial space filled with molten fuel salt.

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor for managing the operating temperature in the reactor core. The disclosure includes various configurations of direct reactor auxiliary cooling system (DRACS) heat exchangers and primary heat exchangers as well as descriptions of improved flow paths for nuclear fuel, primary coolant and DRACS coolant through the reactor components.

Portable nuclear fuel cartridge comprising a unitary support structure and plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies that collectively form a nuclear fuel core. Control rod drive system for a nuclear reactor. A nuclear steam supply system having a shutdown system for removing residual decay heat generated by a nuclear fuel core. A nuclear reactor including a cylindrical body having an internal cavity, nuclear fuel core, and a shroud disposed in the cavity. A nuclear reactor cooling system with passive cooling capabilities operable during a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) without available electric power.