The invention relates to a long-term storage device (1) intended to receive a containment case (3) containing radioactive materials, where this device includes a main body (2) having an inner surface delimiting a housing (7). According to the invention, in an unloaded configuration, in which the containment case containing radioactive materials is absent from the storage device, the latter includes a storage case (9) delimiting a cavity (4) to receive the containment case, where the storage device also includes ventilation means allowing air to circulate between the exterior of the storage device and a space delimited between the inner surface of the main body and the storage case (9).

The invention relates to a long-term storage device (1) intended to receive a containment case (3) containing radioactive materials, where this device includes a main body (2) having an inner surface delimiting a housing (7). According to the invention, in an unloaded configuration, in which the containment case containing radioactive materials is absent from the storage device, the latter includes a storage case (9) delimiting a cavity (4) to receive the containment case, where the storage device also includes ventilation means allowing air to circulate between the exterior of the storage device and a space delimited between the inner surface of the main body and the storage case (9).

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fuel and control system for a nuclear reactor comprising, a drive assembly, a control rod assembly, and a fuel unit, featuring a frame, which attaches the drive assembly to the fuel unit and provides a space for control movement of the control rod assembly so that the frame, the fuel unit, the drive assembly and the control rod assembly are integrated as one unit, and so that the fuel and control system is configured to be loaded into and unloaded out of the nuclear reactor as one unit.

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a fuel and control system for a nuclear reactor comprising, a drive assembly, a control rod assembly, and a fuel unit, featuring a frame, which attaches the drive assembly to the fuel unit and provides a space for control movement of the control rod assembly so that the frame, the fuel unit, the drive assembly and the control rod assembly are integrated as one unit, and so that the fuel and control system is configured to be loaded into and unloaded out of the nuclear reactor as one unit.

A fuel rack apparatus includes a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a plurality of rectangular storage tubes coupled to and extending upward from the upper surface of the base plate, the storage tubes arranged in a side-by-side arrangement to form an array of the storage tubes. Each storage tube extends vertically along a longitudinal axis and includes an outer tube defining an inner cavity, and a neutron-absorbing inner plate-assemblage positioned within the outer tube that divides the inner cavity into a plurality of interior flux trap chambers and a fuel storage cell. The inner plate assembly includes a pair of angled chevron plates comprising boron. The chevron plates are arranged to define a hexagonal-shaped fuel storage cell forming triangular-shaped interior flux trap spaces between the chevron plates and the outer tube.

A fuel rack apparatus includes a base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface; and a plurality of rectangular storage tubes coupled to and extending upward from the upper surface of the base plate, the storage tubes arranged in a side-by-side arrangement to form an array of the storage tubes. Each storage tube extends vertically along a longitudinal axis and includes an outer tube defining an inner cavity, and a neutron-absorbing inner plate-assemblage positioned within the outer tube that divides the inner cavity into a plurality of interior flux trap chambers and a fuel storage cell. The inner plate assembly includes a pair of angled chevron plates comprising boron. The chevron plates are arranged to define a hexagonal-shaped fuel storage cell forming triangular-shaped interior flux trap spaces between the chevron plates and the outer tube.

Fuel cell lifting systems for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A fuel cell lifting system includes a radiation shield comprising: a first plate defining a first plane and comprising one or more first openings; and a second plate defining a second plane parallel to the first plane and comprising one or more second openings. At least one of the first plate or the second plate is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. A first opening of the first plate can be aligned with a second opening of the second plate to form a combined opening. A lifting motor is configured to extend and retract a tether through the combined opening of the radiation shield. The tether is attachable to a nuclear fuel cell.

Fuel cell lifting systems for nuclear reactors are disclosed. A fuel cell lifting system includes a radiation shield comprising: a first plate defining a first plane and comprising one or more first openings; and a second plate defining a second plane parallel to the first plane and comprising one or more second openings. At least one of the first plate or the second plate is rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane. A first opening of the first plate can be aligned with a second opening of the second plate to form a combined opening. A lifting motor is configured to extend and retract a tether through the combined opening of the radiation shield. The tether is attachable to a nuclear fuel cell.

A nuclear reactor is designed to allow efficient packing of components within the reactor vessel, such as by offsetting the core, and/or vertically stacking components. The in-vessel storage system can be separate from the support cylinder and these components can be fabricated and shipped separately and coupled together at the construction site. Furthermore, the in-vessel storage system can be located adjacent to the core rather than being located circumferentially around it, and may also be located beneath the heat exchanger to further improve packing of components within the vessel. Through these, and other changes, the delicate components can be manufactured in a manufacturing facility, assembled, and shipped by commercial transportation options without exceeding the shipping envelope.

A nuclear reactor is designed to allow efficient packing of components within the reactor vessel, such as by offsetting the core, and/or vertically stacking components. The in-vessel storage system can be separate from the support cylinder and these components can be fabricated and shipped separately and coupled together at the construction site. Furthermore, the in-vessel storage system can be located adjacent to the core rather than being located circumferentially around it, and may also be located beneath the heat exchanger to further improve packing of components within the vessel. Through these, and other changes, the delicate components can be manufactured in a manufacturing facility, assembled, and shipped by commercial transportation options without exceeding the shipping envelope.