Framatome Gmbh

Eric Gonse

Claude Leroy

Jean-Paul Millot

Jean Paul Millot

During operation of a light water moderated and cooled nuclear reactor, rods varying the neutron energy spectrum are introduced into the core of the reactor in the course of a first phase of the cycle in order to reduce the ratio of the volume of moderator to the volume of fissile material in the core. In a second phase of the cycle the spectrum displacement rods are extracted. The rods are of a mixture of thorium energy neutrons. The rods may be of fertile material and--depleted uranium. The invention is of particular interest in PWRs.

Spectral shift nuclear reactor with improved efficiency

For operating a PWR with spectral shift during all combustion cycles and with undermoderation during some cycles only, the reactor structure is designed for receiving either one of two types of fuel assemblies, having the same geometry. All fuel assemblies have guide tubes for receiving spectral shift clusters containing fissile material but with different elements bundles so as to be able to choose the type of operation.

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Bourg la Reine, France

Eric Gonse