Bwxt Advanced Technologies LLC

Bwxt Nuclear Energy, Inc.

Bwxt Advance Technologies, LLC

Craig D Gramlich

Benjamin D Fisher

John R Salasin

Jonathan K Witter

William Earl Russell, Ii

James Brian Inman

Ryan Z Ziegler

Joshua J Bergman

William E Russell, Ii

Jonathan W Cirtain

Matthew P Levasseur

Joseph K Miller

William E Russell Ii

Ii William E Russell

A method of manufacturing a nuclear fuel segment includes varying a parameter of a lattice structure of a first mathematically-based periodic solid to form a second mathematically-based periodic solid. The second mathematically-based periodic solid comprises a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS). The varying includes varying periodicity, thickness, or bias of the first mathematically-based periodic solid. The second mathematically-based periodic solid is embodied in a gridded mesh. The gridded mesh is sectioned into a plurality of layers. An additive manufacturing process is used to deposit a fissionable fuel composition in creating a body having a structure with a shape corresponding to the second mathematically-based periodic solid. The plurality of layers are used in controlling the additive manufacturing process.

Using additive manufacturing in creating a nuclear fuel structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid having a triply periodic minimal surface

Reactor core and thermal neutron fission reactor has fuel rods with a composite fuel composition (each having the same uniform cross-section along their axial length), end plates at first and second ends, and intermediate support plates located along a longitudinal length of the reactor core. In a radial cross-section, the fuel rods are arranged at nodes of a hexagonal pitch arrangement, in which the nodes are in a spaced-apart arrangement and interconnected by ligaments. Openings between the nodes form part of a coolant flow path through the thermal neutron reactor core. At least two of the nodes of the hexagonal pitch arrangement are sized to allow insertion, translation, removal, or a combination thereof of auxiliary equipment, such as a target delivery system (TDS) for isotopes. Thermal neutron flux (neutrons ≤0.06 eV) is maximized for maximum neutron activation potential, which is applied to produce both commercial and research isotopes.

Reactor design with controlled thermal neutron flux for enhanced neutron activation potential

Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to lower and upper core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The body of the fuel element has a structure with a shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, such as a triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) in a gyroid structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

Functionally graded lattice cermet fuel structure with shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, particularly for nuclear thermal propulsion applications

Nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure has an active core region including fuel element structures, a reflector with rotatable neutron absorber structures (such as drum absorbers), and a core former conformal mating the outer surface of the fuel element structures to the reflector. Fuel element structures are arranged abutting nearest neighbor fuel element structures in a tri-pitch design. Cladding bodies defining coolant channels are inserted into and joined to upper and lower core plates to from a continuous structure that is a first portion of the containment structure. The nuclear propulsion fission reactor structure can be incorporated into a nuclear thermal propulsion engine for propulsion applications, such as space propulsion.

Robust nuclear propulsion fission reactor with tri-pitch patterned core and drum absorbers

Fission reactor has a cladding encasing a heat generating source including a fissionable nuclear fuel composition. The heat generating source is offset from the surface of the cladding and molten metal is located within the void space formed by the offset. As a liquid, the molten metal will flow and occupy any contiguous network of void space within the fuel cavity and provides thermal transfer contact between the heat generating source and the cladding. The cladding separates the heat generating source and the molten metal from the primary coolant volume.

Molten metal fuel buffer in fission reactor and method of manufacture

Functionally graded lattice cermet fuel structure with shape corresponding to a mathematically-based periodic solid, particularly for nuclear thermal propulsion

Fission reactor has a shell encompassing a reactor space within which are a central longitudinal channel, a plurality of axially extending rings with adjacent rings defining an annular cylindrical space in which a first plurality of primary axial tubes are circumferential located. Circumferentially adjacent primary axial tubes are separated by one of the plurality of secondary channels and a plurality of webbings connects at least a portion of the plurality of primary axial tubes to adjacent structure. A fissionable nuclear fuel composition is located in at least some of the plurality of secondary channels and a primary coolant passes thorough at least some of the primary axial tubes. Additive and/or subtractive manufacturing techniques produce an integral and unitary structure for the fuel loaded reactor space. During manufacturing and as-built, the reactor design can be analyzed using a computational platform that integrates and analyzes data from in-situ monitoring during manufacturing.

Method for design and additive manufacture of fission reactor core structure of inverted reactor

A mobile modular reactor, in particular, a graphite-moderated fission reactor, has an active core region and at least a portion of control region(s) that are located within an interior volume of a pressure vessel. Flow annulus features located in the flow annulus between an outer surface of the control rod/fuel rod and an inner surface of the cladding of the channel in which the rod is located stabilizes the flow annulus and maintains a reliable concentricity between the inner and outer claddings that envelope the flow annulus. Flow annulus features are equally circumferentially spaced at longitudinally separated locations and the flow annulus features at successive, longitudinally separated locations are rotationally offset relative to each other. For purposes of transportability, the pressure vessel is sized for mobile transport using a ship, train or truck, for example, by fitting within a shipping container.

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Forest, VA, United States of America

Craig D Gramlich