Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, Lcc

Abderrafi M Ougouag

William K Terry

Richard R Schultz

George W Griffith

Yasir Arafat

S Michael Modro

Hans D Gougar

Ramazan S Sen

A method of operating a nuclear power system includes generating heat in a nuclear reactor core, transmitting the heat to a heat engine, generating electricity with a generator operatively coupled to the heat engine. The method further includes detecting a no-load condition, and stopping the heat engine. The method also includes transferring heat from an outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through a heat transfer system if a temperature of the nuclear reactor rises above a threshold temperature. The method further includes preventing heat from transferring from the outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through the heat transfer system if the temperature of the nuclear reactor is below the threshold temperature. Nuclear power systems and nuclear reactors are also disclosed.

Nuclear reactor and associated components, systems, and methods

An improved nuclear fission reactor of the continuous fueling type involves determining an asymptotic equilibrium state for the nuclear fission reactor and providing the reactor with a moderator-to-fuel ratio that is optimally moderated for the asymptotic equilibrium state of the nuclear fission reactor; the fuel-to-moderator ratio allowing the nuclear fission reactor to be substantially continuously operated in an optimally moderated state.

Optimally moderated nuclear fission reactor and fuel source therefor

An automatically scramming nuclear reactor system. One embodiment comprises a core having a coolant inlet end and a coolant outlet end. A cooling system operatively associated with the core provides coolant to the coolant inlet end and removes heated coolant from the coolant outlet end, thus maintaining a pressure differential therebetween during a normal operating condition of the nuclear reactor system. A guide tube is positioned within the core with a first end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant inlet end of the core, and a second end of the guide tube in fluid communication with the coolant outlet end of the core. A control element is positioned within the guide tube and is movable therein between upper and lower positions, and automatically falls under the action of gravity to the lower position when the pressure differential drops below a safe pressure differential.

Method for automatically scramming a nuclear reactor

A passively actuated valve for isolating a high pressure zone from a low pressure zone and discontinuing the isolation when the pressure in the high pressure zone drops below a preset threshold. If the pressure in the high pressure zone drops below the preset threshold, the valve opens and allows flow from the high pressure zone to the low pressure zone. The valve remains open allowing pressure equalization and back-flow should a pressure inversion between the two pressure zone occur.

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Idaho Falls, ID, United States of America

Abderrafi M Ougouag