Induced nuclear reactions: processes – systems – and elements – Fuel component structure – Plural fuel segments or elements
Patent
1986-02-06
1988-06-28
Terapane, John F.
Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements
Fuel component structure
Plural fuel segments or elements
376443, G21C 332
Patent
active
047537744
ABSTRACT:
A BWR fuel assembly has a bundle of spaced fuel rods, an outer tubular flow channel surrounding the fuel rods so as to direct flow of coolant/moderator fluid along the fuel rods, and a hollow central water cross with opposed walls, a lower flow inlet end, an opposite upper flow outlet end, and an open inner cruciform flow channel for subcooled moderator fluid flow through the fuel assembly. The water cross extends through the outer flow channel and is interconnected with the outer channel so as to divide it into separate compartments and the bundle of fuel rods into a plurality of mini-bundles thereof. Also, a pair of upper and lower tie plates are connected to the opposite ends of the fuel rods in each mini-bundle thereof so as to provide a separate fuel rod subassembly in each of the compartments. The tie plates have flow openings defined therethrough for allowing the flow of the coolant/ moderator fluid into and from the separate fuel rod subsasembly. The BWR includes an improvement which allows selected flow into said water cross and cross flow of fluid between the lower ends of the respective fuel rod mini-bundles of the separate fuel rod subassemblies and in such manner minimizes maldistribution of flow between the mini-bundles. The improvement comprises cross flow inlet means in the form of opposed holes located in the opposed walls of the water cross above the lower tie plates of the mini-bundles.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3158543 (1964-11-01), Sherman et al.
patent: 4478786 (1984-10-01), Andersson et al.
patent: 4526744 (1985-07-01), Borrman et al.
Mildrum Claude M.
Taleyarkhan Rusi P.
Maples John S.
Terapane John F.
Westinghouse Electric Corp.
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