Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Fuel component structure – Encased with nonfuel component
Patent
1996-10-08
1998-07-14
Carone, Michael J.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Fuel component structure
Encased with nonfuel component
376428, 376435, G21C 300, G21C 3328
Patent
active
057816042
ABSTRACT:
In an initial core of the present invention, a low enrichment fuel assembly having the lowest average enrichment factor and three fuel assemblies having a higher average enrichment factor than that of the low enrichment fuel assembly are arranged in a square shape, control rods of a cross shape are arranged at each of four corners of the square shape to constitute a unit loading pattern, and a plurality of the unit loading patterns are provided in the central region of the core, the fuel assemblies having the higher average enrichment factor are divided by a diagonal line into a first region of the side of the control rods and a second region of the side opposite to the control rods, and the number of the gadolinia-containing fuel rods is greater in the second region by at least two than in the first region.
The initial core having an enhanced average enrichment factor for accomplishing a high exposure, makes it possible to maintain thermal margin, to suitably suppress the excess reactivity and to improve fuel economy.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5176877 (1993-01-01), Nakajima et al.
patent: 5249211 (1993-09-01), Nagano et al.
patent: 5337337 (1994-08-01), Aoyama et al.
patent: 5377247 (1994-12-01), Yoshioka et al.
patent: 5388132 (1995-02-01), Aoyama e al.
patent: 5432829 (1995-07-01), Aoyama et al.
Aoyama Motoo
Haikawa Katsumasa
Kanda Akiko
Yamanaka Akihiro
Yamashita Jun-ichi
Carone Michael J.
Hitachi , Ltd.
Lattig Matthew J.
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