Some embodiments include an chemical separation mechanism for a molten salt reactor where the molten salt may include fission products. In some embodiments, the chemical separation mechanism includes a molten salt receptacle with a molten salt disposed within, a solvent receptacle having a solvent disposed within; an electrode; and an electrode mechanism. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism may be configured to submerse the electrode into the molten salt receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs between the electrode and one or more of the fission products in the molten salt. In some embodiments, the electrode mechanism may submerse the electrode into the solvent receptacle such that a chemical reaction occurs resulting in one or more of the fission products being deposited into the solvent.

Disclosed herein are a molten salt reactor and a passive fuel injection method therefor, wherein the molten salt reactor includes an active core part and a blanket part, wherein the active core part is disposed to define a liquid-liquid interface with an upper portion of the blanket part having a liquid metal phase, and a fissile fuel is passively supplied from a lower blanket part to an upper active core part through the liquid-liquid interface, and a fertile fuel is passively supplied from the upper active core to the lower blanket part, and a passive fuel injection method using the same.

A nuclear reactor comprising: a moderator including a metal hydride; and a nuclear fuel in which europium is added as an additive to a main nuclear fuel material. Thus, the nuclear reactor can be kept in the subcritical state even under the state where all the control devices are pulled out before startup.

A nuclear reactor comprising: a moderator including a metal hydride; and a nuclear fuel in which europium is added as an additive to a main nuclear fuel material. Thus, the nuclear reactor can be kept in the subcritical state even under the state where all the control devices are pulled out before startup.

A nuclear reactor fuel is provided. The nuclear reactor fuel includes a liquid metal alloy, and uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) particles suspended in the liquid metal alloy. The UO.sub.2 particles are enriched with uranium-235 (.sup.235U) in an amount of less than 20%. The nuclear reactor fuel has a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of sintered UO.sub.2 pellets at the same temperature. The liquid metal alloy may be a bismuth-lead-tin (BiPbSn)-based alloy and a lead-tin (PbSn)-based alloy. A concentration of the UO.sub.2 particles in the liquid metal alloy may be up to 30 wt % or more. The UO.sub.2 particles alternatively may be uranium carbide (UC) particles, uranium nitride (UN) particles, or tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particles. A nuclear reactor is also provided. The nuclear reactor includes a reactor vessel and the nuclear reactor fuel. The nuclear reactor fuel is contained in or circulated through the reactor vessel.

A nuclear reactor fuel is provided. The nuclear reactor fuel includes a liquid metal alloy, and uranium dioxide (UO.sub.2) particles suspended in the liquid metal alloy. The UO.sub.2 particles are enriched with uranium-235 (.sup.235U) in an amount of less than 20%. The nuclear reactor fuel has a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of sintered UO.sub.2 pellets at the same temperature. The liquid metal alloy may be a bismuth-lead-tin (BiPbSn)-based alloy and a lead-tin (PbSn)-based alloy. A concentration of the UO.sub.2 particles in the liquid metal alloy may be up to 30 wt % or more. The UO.sub.2 particles alternatively may be uranium carbide (UC) particles, uranium nitride (UN) particles, or tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) particles. A nuclear reactor is also provided. The nuclear reactor includes a reactor vessel and the nuclear reactor fuel. The nuclear reactor fuel is contained in or circulated through the reactor vessel.

Disclosed are embodiments of a nuclear fuel element for use in various types of nuclear reactors. One embodiment of the nuclear fuel element comprises a plurality of solid nuclear fuel particles, such as tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, intermixed in a non-solid matrix that is substantially stagnant relative to the plurality of solid nuclear fuel particles. The non-solid matrix may comprise a liquid metal, a liquid metal alloy, and a liquid salt. Various embodiments of the non-solid matrix include tin, lead, sodium, aluminum, bismuth, and alloys thereof. A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel and embodiments of a nuclear fuel core comprising the nuclear fuel element are also disclosed.

Disclosed are embodiments of a nuclear fuel element for use in various types of nuclear reactors. One embodiment of the nuclear fuel element comprises a plurality of solid nuclear fuel particles, such as tristructural-isotropic (TRISO) fuel particles, intermixed in a non-solid matrix that is substantially stagnant relative to the plurality of solid nuclear fuel particles. The non-solid matrix may comprise a liquid metal, a liquid metal alloy, and a liquid salt. Various embodiments of the non-solid matrix include tin, lead, sodium, aluminum, bismuth, and alloys thereof. A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel and embodiments of a nuclear fuel core comprising the nuclear fuel element are also disclosed.