Fission reactor has a cladding encasing a heat generating source including a fissionable nuclear fuel composition. The heat generating source is offset from the surface of the cladding and molten metal is located within the void space formed by the offset. As a liquid, the molten metal will flow and occupy any contiguous network of void space within the fuel cavity and provides thermal transfer contact between the heat generating source and the cladding. The cladding separates the heat generating source and the molten metal from the primary coolant volume.

A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.

A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.

A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.

Various exemplary embodiments of a power conversion system for converting thermal energy from a heat source to electricity are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, the power conversion system may include a substantially sealed chamber having an inner shroud having an inlet and an outlet and defining an internal passageway between the inlet and the outlet through which a working fluid passes. The sealed chamber may also include an outer shroud substantially surrounding the inner shroud, such that the working fluid exiting the outlet of the inner shroud returns to the inlet of the inner shroud in a closed-loop via a return passageway formed between an external surface of the inner shroud and an internal surface of the outer shroud. The power conversion system may further include a source heat exchanger disposed in the internal passageway of the inner shroud, the source heat exchanger being configured to at least partially receive a heat transmitting element.

Fission reactor has a cladding encasing a heat generating source including a fissionable nuclear fuel composition. The heat generating source is offset from the surface of the cladding and molten metal is located within the void space formed by the offset. As a liquid, the molten metal will flow and occupy any contiguous network of void space within the fuel cavity and provides thermal transfer contact between the heat generating source and the cladding. The cladding separates the heat generating source and the molten metal from the primary coolant volume.

A seal assembly for a pump comprises a gland housing mounted to the pump casing. A staging flow pathway is defined within the gland housing with multiple seal chambers. A seal stage is positioned in each seal chamber, each having a static sealing element and a rotating sealing element, the sealing elements engaging one another to form a fluid-tight seal. A rotor assembly pumps coolant through the gland housing. Fluid passing through the staging flow pathway is accelerated by an acceleration surface of the rotor assembly. An inlet passage feeds coolant fluid into the staging flow pathway and past the acceleration surface.

A seal assembly for a pump comprises a gland housing mounted to the pump casing. A staging flow pathway is defined within the gland housing with multiple seal chambers. A seal stage is positioned in each seal chamber, each having a static sealing element and a rotating sealing element, the sealing elements engaging one another to form a fluid-tight seal. A rotor assembly pumps coolant through the gland housing. Fluid passing through the staging flow pathway is accelerated by an acceleration surface of the rotor assembly. An inlet passage feeds coolant fluid into the staging flow pathway and past the acceleration surface.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable a Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) to capture gamma ray photons emitted during a fission process, such as a fission process of Uranium-235 (U-235), and to breed and use a new gamma ray source to increase an overall emission flux of gamma ray photons. Various embodiments combine a fission process with the production of Co-60, thereby boosting the output flux of gamma ray photons for use by a NTAC in generating power. Various embodiments combine a fission process with the production of Co-60, a NTAC generating avalanche cell power, and a thermoelectric generator generating thermoelectric power.

Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments enable a Nuclear Thermionic Avalanche Cell (NTAC) to capture gamma ray photons emitted during a fission process, such as a fission process of Uranium-235 (U-235), and to breed and use a new gamma ray source to increase an overall emission flux of gamma ray photons. Various embodiments combine a fission process with the production of Co-60, thereby boosting the output flux of gamma ray photons for use by a NTAC in generating power. Various embodiments combine a fission process with the production of Co-60, a NTAC generating avalanche cell power, and a thermoelectric generator generating thermoelectric power.