JP-2026514288-A - Micro reactor fuel sleeve assembly

Abstract

A reactor fuel rod for use in a nuclear reactor is disclosed. The reactor fuel rod comprises a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis. The sleeve includes a first end and a second end. The reactor fuel rod further includes a first end cap mechanically connected to the first end of the sleeve and a second end cap mechanically connected to the second end of the sleeve. The second end cap is configured to slide relative to the sleeve along the longitudinal axis. The reactor fuel rod further includes a fuel compact positioned within the sleeve between the first end cap and the second end cap.

Inventors

• ジェフリー シャウプ
• ユリー アレシン
• デイビッド エム． グロス
• ジョシュア ジェイ． ドノバン
• ジュリー ジェィ． ファン ヴィック
• ジェフリー エム． パークス

Assignees

• ウェスティングハウス エレクトリック カンパニー エルエルシー

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20240201

Priority Date

20230202

Claims (20)

1. A reactor fuel rod used in a nuclear reactor, The aforementioned reactor fuel rods are A sleeve that defines the longitudinal axis and has a first end and a second end, A first end cap mechanically connected to the first end of the sleeve, A second end cap is mechanically connected to the second end of the sleeve and configured to slide relative to the sleeve along the longitudinal axis, The sleeve comprises a fuel compact positioned between the first end cap and the second end cap inside the sleeve, nuclear reactor fuel rods.
2. The sleeve further comprises a reflector positioned between the fuel compact and the second end cap inside the sleeve. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
3. The aforementioned reflective material is a first reflective material, The reactor fuel rod further comprises a second reflector positioned inside the sleeve between the fuel compact and the first end cap. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 2.
4. The second end cap comprises an end cap end and a biasing member attached to the end cap end. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
5. The reactor fuel rod is capable of transitioning from an uncompressible state to a compressed state. The reactor fuel rod is in the compressed state within the reactor. In the compressed state, the biasing member is configured to apply force to the second end cap to compress the fuel compact. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 4.
6. The sleeve is provided with a slot located at the second end, The second end cap includes a retaining pin configured to slide within the slot. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
7. The second end cap comprises a slot and a retaining pin inserted into the slot, The retaining pin is attached to the sleeve at the second end, The second end cap is configured to slide against the sleeve. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
8. The sleeve has a slot that extends along the longitudinal axis of the sleeve from the first end to the second end. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
9. The second end cap is equipped with a feature portion for the extraction tool interface. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
10. The extraction tool is mechanically connected to the extraction tool interface feature to insert the fuel rod into the reactor or to extract the fuel rod from the reactor. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 9.
11. The aforementioned extraction tool interface feature is formed by the internal cavity of the second end cap. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 9.
12. The aforementioned extraction tool interface feature extends outward from the second end cap. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 9.
13. The sleeve prevents direct interaction between the fuel compact and the reactor. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 1.
14. A reactor fuel rod used in a nuclear reactor, The aforementioned reactor fuel rods are A tube having a defined longitudinal axis and a first end and a second end, A first end cap mechanically connected to the first end of the pipe, A second end cap is provided, which has a extraction tool interface feature, is mechanically connected to the second end of the tube, and is configured to move along the longitudinal axis of the tube, The pipe comprises a plurality of fuel pellets arranged between the first end cap and the second end cap inside the pipe, nuclear reactor fuel rods.
15. The reactor fuel rod further comprises a biasing member configured to compress the plurality of fuel pellets. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 14.
16. The tube further comprises a reflector positioned between the plurality of fuel pellets and the second end cap inside the tube. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 14.
17. The aforementioned reflective material is a first reflective material, The reactor fuel rod further comprises a second reflector positioned inside the tube between the plurality of fuel pellets and the first end cap. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 16.
18. The pipe has a slot that extends along the longitudinal axis of the pipe from the first end to the second end. A reactor fuel rod according to claim 14.
19. A method for inserting nuclear fuel into a nuclear reactor using reactor fuel rods, The aforementioned method, Connecting the first end cap of the reactor fuel rod to the first end of the sleeve of the reactor fuel rod, Inserting fuel pellets into the sleeve, The second end cap of the reactor fuel rod is connected to the second end of the sleeve so that the fuel pellet is positioned between the first end cap and the second end cap inside the sleeve. Connecting the extraction tool to the aforementioned reactor fuel rod extraction tool interface feature section, The method includes using the aforementioned extraction tool to position the reactor fuel rods inside the reactor. method.
20. The method further comprises moving the second end cap relative to the sleeve to compress the fuel pellet. The method according to claim 19.

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications) This application claims priority and benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 18/163,415, filed on 2 February 2023 pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 120, and titled "MICRO-REACTOR FUEL SLEEVE ASSEMBLY." The contents of that application are incorporated in their entirety by reference. (Government contract) This invention was created with government support under contract number DE-NE0009050, assigned by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights to this invention. This disclosure relates to a micro reactor and fueling a micro reactor. In a general embodiment, this disclosure provides a reactor fuel rod for use in a nuclear reactor. The reactor fuel rod includes a sleeve defining a longitudinal axis. The sleeve includes a first end and a second end. The reactor fuel rod further includes a first end cap mechanically connected to the first end of the sleeve and a second end cap mechanically connected to the second end of the sleeve. The second end cap is configured to slide relative to the sleeve along the longitudinal axis. The reactor fuel rod further includes a fuel compact positioned between the first and second end caps within the sleeve. In another embodiment, this disclosure provides a reactor fuel rod for use in a nuclear reactor. The reactor fuel rod includes a tube defining a longitudinal axis. The tube includes a first end and a second end. The reactor fuel rod further includes a first end cap mechanically connected to the first end of the tube, and a second end cap including an extraction tool interface feature. The second end cap is mechanically connected to the second end of the tube. The second end cap is configured to move along the longitudinal axis relative to the tube. The reactor fuel rod further includes a plurality of fuel pellets positioned between the first and second end caps within the tube. In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method for inserting reactor fuel into a reactor using reactor fuel rods. The method includes connecting a first end cap of the reactor fuel rod to a first end of a sleeve of the reactor fuel rod; inserting a fuel pellet into the sleeve; and connecting a second end cap of the reactor fuel rod to a second end of the sleeve so that the fuel pellet is positioned between the first and second end caps within the sleeve. The method further includes connecting an extraction tool to an extraction tool interface feature of the reactor fuel rod; and using the extraction tool to position the reactor fuel rod in the reactor. Novel features of various embodiments are described in detail in the attached claims. In the drawings, where multiple drawings share the same or corresponding reference numerals, they refer to the same or corresponding parts. However, the embodiments described can be best understood by referring together with the following description and the attached drawings, both in terms of configuration and operation. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary core of a microreactor according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of unit cells within the reactor core of Figure 1, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a plurality of unit cells within the reactor core of Figure 1, according to at least one aspect of this disclosure. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a fuel sleeve assembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 4 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, in which the sleeve is transparent. Figure 6 is a detail view showing one end of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a detail view showing one end of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 8 is a side view of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 9 is a side view of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a perspective view of the sleeve of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 5, according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 13 is a perspective view of a fuel sleeve assembly according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, in which the sleeve is transparent. Figure 14 is a detail view showing one end of the fuel sleeve assembly of Figure 13 according to at least one aspect of the present disclosure. Figure 15 is a detail view showing one end of