Patent classifications
G21C7/27
Molten fuel nuclear reactor with neutron reflecting coolant
- Ryan Abbott ,
- Brian C. Kelleher ,
- William M. Kerlin ,
- Kevin Kramer ,
- Jeffery F. Latkowski ,
- Jon D. McWhirter ,
- Robert C. Petroski ,
- Joshua C. Walter ,
- Jesse R. Cheatham, III ,
- Anselmo T. Cisneros, Jr. ,
- Ken Czerwinski ,
- Bassem S. El-Dasher ,
- Daniel Flowers ,
- Charles Gregory Freeman ,
- Mark A. Havstad ,
- Christopher J. Johns
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 an 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.
MOLTEN FUEL NUCLEAR REACTOR WITH NEUTRON REFLECTING COOLANT
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.
NEUTRON REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY FOR DYNAMIC SPECTRUM SHIFTING
A dynamic neutron reflector assembly for a breed-and-burn fast reactor incrementally adjusts neutron spectrum and reactivity in a reactor core. The composition of materials in the dynamic neutron reflector may be adjusted to change neutron reflectivity levels, or to introduce neutron moderating or absorption characteristics. The dynamic neutron reflector may contain a flowing reflecting liquid of adjustable volume and/or density. Submergible members may be selectively inserted into the flowing reflecting liquid to alter its volume and introduce other neutron modifying effects such as moderation or absorption. Selective insertion of the submergible members allows for concentration of the neutron modifying effects in a selected portion of the reactor core. The flowing reflecting liquid may also act as a secondary coolant circuit by exchanging heat with the molten fuel salt.