Burnable absorber assembly
US4576787A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 1983 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Elongated tubular elements containing burnable absorber material are clustered in an array to provide a burnable absorber assembly for insertion within one or more guide thimbles of a fuel assembly for controlling reactivity. The burnable absorber assembly, in alternative embodiments, include three tubular elements in triangular relationship and four tubular elements in rectangular relationship. The use of the burnable absorber assembly within the guide thimbles of a fuel assembly results in increased core thermal margin, minimization of end of cycle reactivity penalty, increase in operating cycle length before required refueling, and the ability to utilize burnable absorber assemblies having different strengths at different locations within the fuel assembly for controlling fuel assemblies having significant power gradients, as well as finer control of radial powered distribution and thus achieving lower peaking factors.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.