This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor in which one or more primary heat exchangers are located above the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.

A device adapted for producing energy by nuclear fission, the device comprising a core container of a core container material, which core container encloses an inner tubing of an inner tubing material, the inner tubing and/or the core container having an inlet and an outlet, the device further comprising a molten fuel salt with a fissionable material and a molten moderator salt comprising at least one metal hydroxide, at least one metal deuteroxide or a combination thereof and a redox-element having a reduction potential, which is larger than that of the inner tubing material or of the inner tubing material and the core container material, wherein the molten moderator salt is located in the core container and the molten fuel salt is located in the inner tubing, or wherein the molten fuel salt is located in the core container and the molten moderator salt is located in the inner tubing. The invention also relates to methods of controlling nuclear fission processes using the device and to the use of a molten salt comprising at least one metal hydroxide, at least one metal deuteroxide or a combination thereof and a redox-element for moderating fission neutrons created in a fission reaction process.

A device adapted for producing energy by nuclear fission, the device comprising a core container of a core container material, which core container encloses an inner tubing of an inner tubing material, the inner tubing and/or the core container having an inlet and an outlet, the device further comprising a molten fuel salt with a fissionable material and a molten moderator salt comprising at least one metal hydroxide, at least one metal deuteroxide or a combination thereof and a redox-element having a reduction potential, which is larger than that of the inner tubing material or of the inner tubing material and the core container material, wherein the molten moderator salt is located in the core container and the molten fuel salt is located in the inner tubing, or wherein the molten fuel salt is located in the core container and the molten moderator salt is located in the inner tubing. The invention also relates to methods of controlling nuclear fission processes using the device and to the use of a molten salt comprising at least one metal hydroxide, at least one metal deuteroxide or a combination thereof and a redox-element for moderating fission neutrons created in a fission reaction process.

Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

A control rod drive system (CRDS) for use in a nuclear reactor. In one embodiment, the system generally includes a drive rod mechanically coupled to a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) operable to linearly raise and lower the drive rod along a vertical axis, a rod cluster control assembly (RCCA) comprising a plurality of control rods insertable into a nuclear fuel core, and a drive rod extension (DRE) releasably coupled at opposing ends to the drive rod and RCCA. The CRDM includes an electromagnet which operates to couple the CRDM to DRE. In the event of a power loss or SCRAM, the CRDM may be configured to remotely uncouple the RCCA from the DRE without releasing or dropping the drive rod which remains engaged with the CRDM and in position.

A customizable thin plate fuel form and reactor core therefor are disclosed. The thin plate fuel will comprise a fuel material embedded within a matrix material, with the entire unit having a coating. The thin plate fuel may be flat or curved and will have flow channels formed within at least the top surface of the fuel plate. The structure of the thin plate fuel will make it easier for coating with Tungsten or any other suitable material that will help contain any byproducts, prevent reactions with the working fluid, and potentially provide structural support to the thin plate fuel.

A customizable thin plate fuel form and reactor core therefor are disclosed. The thin plate fuel will comprise a fuel material embedded within a matrix material, with the entire unit having a coating. The thin plate fuel may be flat or curved and will have flow channels formed within at least the top surface of the fuel plate. The structure of the thin plate fuel will make it easier for coating with Tungsten or any other suitable material that will help contain any byproducts, prevent reactions with the working fluid, and potentially provide structural support to the thin plate fuel.

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor in which one or more primary heat exchangers are located above the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.

This disclosure describes various configurations and components of a molten fuel fast or thermal nuclear reactor in which one or more primary heat exchangers are located above the reactor core of the nuclear reactor.