US3910818A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for increasing the burn-up capability of boiling water nuclear reactors containing plutonium-bearing fuel assemblies
Assignee: GA Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1969-10-30
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Granted: 1975-10-07
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Expires: 1989-10-30
Abstract
Abstract The burn-up capability of a boiling water nuclear reactor containing plutonium-bearing fuel assemblies is significantly increased by reducing the void fraction in the core toward the end of the cycle. This reduction is advantageously accomplished by increasing the rate at which water is recirculated.
Inventors
- 👤 George A Sofer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:41
CPC Classifications
G; G21; G21C; G21C3/00; G21C3/30; G21C3/32; G21C3/326; G21C3/328; G21D; G21D3/00; G21D3/08; G21D3/12; G21D3/14; G21D5/00; G21D5/04; G21D5/06; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E30/00; Y02E30/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A METHOD FOR UTILIZING PLUTONIUM ENRICHED NUCLEAR FUEL IN A BOILING WATER NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A CORE CONSISTING PREDOMINANTLY OF URANIUM ENRICHED FUEL ASSEMBLIES AN ADAPTED TO RECIRCULATE WATER THROUGH SAID CORE AT A PREDETERMINED FLOW RATE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: DISPOSING IN SAID CORE OR MORE FUEL ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING SUFFICIENT PLUTONIUM ENRICHED FUEL THAT THE AMOUNT OF PLUTONIUM ENRICHMENT DISPOSED IN SAID CORE EXCEEDS BY AT LEAST 20 PER CENT THE AMOUNT OF PLUTONIUM PRODUCED BY THE REACTOR DURING A NORMAL URANIUM OXIDE FUEL CYCLE, BEGINNING A FUEL CYCLE BY INTIATING REACTOR OPERATION, OPERATING SAID REACTOR DURING A FIRST PORTION OF THE FUEL CYCLE WITH THE VOID FRACTION OF SAID BOILING WATER REACTOR MAINTAINED SUBSTANTIALLY AT A PREDETERMINED LEVEL, REDUCING SAID VOID FRACTION BY INCREASING THE RECIRCULATION FLOW RATE BY BETWEEN 10 AND 30 PER CENT, AND OPERATING SAID REACTOR DURING THE END PORTION OF SAID FUEL CYCLE WITH SAID VOID FRACTION SUBSTANTIALLY MAINTAINED BELOW SAID PREDETERMINED LEVEL BY MAINTAINING AN INCREASED RECIRCULATION RATE UNTIL SUBSTANTIALLY THE END OF SAID FUEL CYCLE.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
A METHOD FOR UTILIZING PLUTONIUM ENRICHED NUCLEAR FUEL IN A BOILING WATER NUCLEAR REACTOR HAVING A CORE CONSISTING PREDOMINANTLY OF URANIUM ENRICHED FUEL ASSEMBLIES AN ADAPTED TO RECIRCULATE WATER THROUGH SAID CORE AT A PREDETERMINED FLOW RATE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF: DISPOSING IN SAID CORE OR MORE FUEL ASSEMBLIES CONTAINING SUFFICIENT PLUTONIUM ENRICHED FUEL THAT THE AMOUNT OF PLUTONIUM ENRICHMENT DISPOSED IN SAID CORE EXCEEDS BY AT LEAST 20 PER CENT THE AMOUNT OF PLUTONIUM PRODUCED BY THE REACTOR DURING A NORMAL URANIUM OXIDE FUEL CYCLE, BEGINNING A FUEL CYCLE BY INTIATING REACTOR OPERATION, OPERATING SAID REACTOR DURING A FIRST PORTION OF THE FUEL CYCLE WITH THE VOID FRACTION OF SAID BOILING WATER REACTOR MAINTAINED SUBSTANTIALLY AT A PREDETERMINED LEVEL, REDUCING SAID VOID FRACTION BY INCREASING THE RECIRCULATION FLOW RATE BY BETWEEN 10 AND 30 PER CENT, AND OPERATING SAID REACTOR DURING THE END PORTION OF SAID FUEL CYCLE WITH SAID VOID FRACTION SUBSTANTIALLY MAINTAINED BELOW SAID PREDETERMINED LEVEL BY MAINTAINING AN INCREASED RECIRCULATION RATE UNTIL SUBSTANTIALLY THE END OF SAID FUEL CYCLE.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said recirculation flow rate is increased by about 20 per cent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-10-06 | 1979-04-07 | 1979-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-10-06 | 1983-04-07 | 1983-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-10-06 | 1987-04-07 | 1987-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |