Nuclear reactor coolant flow device

Abstract

Abstract A flow-confining arrangement for a nuclear reactor which has a core comprised of a plurality of parallel fuel elements. The core is of the open type wherein the flow surrounds each of the fuel rods. A core barrel surrounds the core and generally confines the coolant flow which is passing longitudinally of the fuel elements. A plurality of seal plates extend transversely from the core barrel to the outer fuel elements of the core. These plates prevent flow through the irregular annular space between the core barrel and the core so as to avoid coolant bypassing the core. A plurality of these plates are at locations intermediate the top and bottom of the core with the spacing between these seal plates being sufficiently smaller so that the coolant flow does not expand in this flow path to flow through all the irregular annular opening. This close spacing assures that the coolant flow is effectively confined to the reactor core not only at the seal plate location but also at the locations intermediate the seal plate. The maximum spacing to perform this function is preferred to avoid the requirement of too many seal plates. These seal plates provide a minimum of neutron-absorbing material near the outer fuel elements of the core thereby increasing the output of these fuel elements and accordingly the overall power capability of the core.

Inventors

• 👤 Robert C Marshall

Bibliographic Details