Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise pellets comprised of neutron moderating or absorbing materials with a polymer coating. The neutron core moderator pellet 100 comprises a core matrix of neutron absorbing material 102 and a polymer coating 104 that can also serve as a binder for the core 102. The neutron moderating/absorbing material 102 can be selected from a variety of chemical element materials that have been proven to have established neutron capture/absorbing capabilities.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention comprise pellets comprised of neutron moderating or absorbing materials with a polymer coating. The neutron core moderator pellet 100 comprises a core matrix of neutron absorbing material 102 and a polymer coating 104 that can also serve as a binder for the core 102. The neutron moderating/absorbing material 102 can be selected from a variety of chemical element materials that have been proven to have established neutron capture/absorbing capabilities.

A control assembly for a nuclear reactor having a pump includes a duct having an inner volume and defining a coolant flow path, a plug fixed to the duct, a rod disposed within the inner volume and having a rod end that is configured to engage a neutron modifying material, a first piston disposed within the inner volume, slidably coupled to the duct, and coupled to the rod, and a biasing member coupled to the rod and the first piston. The biasing member is positioned to apply a biasing force that repositions the first piston, the rod, and the neutron modifying material in response to a loss of pump flow without scram condition.

A control assembly for a nuclear reactor having a pump includes a duct having an inner volume and defining a coolant flow path, a plug fixed to the duct, a rod disposed within the inner volume and having a rod end that is configured to engage a neutron modifying material, a first piston disposed within the inner volume, slidably coupled to the duct, and coupled to the rod, and a biasing member coupled to the rod and the first piston. The biasing member is positioned to apply a biasing force that repositions the first piston, the rod, and the neutron modifying material in response to a loss of pump flow without scram condition.

A control rod guide frame comprises a self supporting stack of two or more columnar elements defining a central passage. The columnar elements may include mating features that mate at abutments between adjacent columnar elements of the stack. The control rod guide frame is suitably used in conjunction with a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) operatively connected with at least one control rod, and a nuclear reactor core, in which the CRDM moves the at least one control rod into and out of the nuclear reactor core under guidance of the control rod guide frame. In another embodiment, a control rod guide frame comprises a stack of two or more columnar elements defining a central passage having a constant cross-section as a function of position along the central passage. In another embodiment, a control rod guide frame comprises an extruded columnar element providing continuous control rod guidance.

A control rod guide frame comprises a self supporting stack of two or more columnar elements defining a central passage. The columnar elements may include mating features that mate at abutments between adjacent columnar elements of the stack. The control rod guide frame is suitably used in conjunction with a control rod drive mechanism (CRDM) operatively connected with at least one control rod, and a nuclear reactor core, in which the CRDM moves the at least one control rod into and out of the nuclear reactor core under guidance of the control rod guide frame. In another embodiment, a control rod guide frame comprises a stack of two or more columnar elements defining a central passage having a constant cross-section as a function of position along the central passage. In another embodiment, a control rod guide frame comprises an extruded columnar element providing continuous control rod guidance.

The present disclosure is generally related to methods, devices and systems for improving the performances of a Rod Cluster Control Assembly (RCCA) and/or a Control Element Assembly (CEA) to mitigate clad strain, especially in the high fluence region, during normal operation conditions and accident conditions. One method may include incorporating a device such as a powder collection and blockage device between the ceramic upper and ceramic lower absorber materials of the RCCA and/or CEA. Another method may include increasing the plenum volume by incorporating an axial hole into the top end plug extension. Another method may include increasing the plenum volume by incorporating an axial hole into the bottom end plug and optionally incorporating radial grooves in the bottom of the lower absorber material to provide a flow channel for gas expansion or generation to ensure that the lower absorber does not block the opening in the bottom end plug.

An objective of the invention is to provide an austenitic stainless steel article having superior irradiation resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance than before while maintaining mechanical properties equivalent to those of conventional ones. There is provided a dispersion strengthened austenitic stainless steel article, including: 16-26 mass % of Cr; 8-22 mass % of Ni; 0.005-0.08 mass % of C; 0.002-0.1 mass % of N; 0.02-0.4 mass % of O; at least one of 0.2-2.8 mass % of Zr, 0.4-5 mass % of Ta, and 0.2-2.6 mass % of Ti; and a balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities. The Zr, Ta and Ti components form inclusion particles in the stainless steel article by combining with the C, N and O components. The stainless steel article has an average grain size of 1 m or less and a maximum grain size of 5 m or less.

An objective of the invention is to provide an austenitic stainless steel article having superior irradiation resistance and stress corrosion cracking resistance than before while maintaining mechanical properties equivalent to those of conventional ones. There is provided a dispersion strengthened austenitic stainless steel article, including: 16-26 mass % of Cr; 8-22 mass % of Ni; 0.005-0.08 mass % of C; 0.002-0.1 mass % of N; 0.02-0.4 mass % of O; at least one of 0.2-2.8 mass % of Zr, 0.4-5 mass % of Ta, and 0.2-2.6 mass % of Ti; and a balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities. The Zr, Ta and Ti components form inclusion particles in the stainless steel article by combining with the C, N and O components. The stainless steel article has an average grain size of 1 m or less and a maximum grain size of 5 m or less.

A control rod guide frame has a central passage of constant cross-section as a function of position along a central axis that passes through the central passage. The central passage is sized and shaped to guide a traveling assembly including at least one control rod as it moves along the central axis. The control rod guide frame comprises at least two radial guide frame sections secured around and defining the central passage. Each radial guide frame section may comprise an extruded radial guide frame section, which may be made of extruded steel. The central passage may include control rod guidance channels parallel the central axis and machined into the extruded radial guide frame sections. The at least two radial guide frame sections may be interchangeable. In some embodiments the at least two radial guide frame sections consist of between four and eight radial guide frame sections.