Apparatus for increasing fuel efficiency in nuclear reactors
US5167906A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 22, 1991 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 22, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for achieving increased fuel efficiency in a nuclear reactor wherein spectral shift is utilized to adjust for excess reactivity. This feature is achieved by stationary displacer rods within the fluid moderator of the reactor, with these stationary displacer rods decreasing ineffective volume during operation of the reactor whereby the effective volume of the fluid moderator increases as the nuclear fuel is burned. This decrease in effective volume is achieved by providing a sacrificial material in the displacer rods that is dissolved (or volatilized, etc.) by the fluid moderator. The composition of the sacrificial material can be varied along the length of the rod so as to achieve the desired reduction of volume despite a temperature gradient along the rod.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.