EP2419903A2 - Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant - Google Patents

Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant

Info

Publication number
EP2419903A2
EP2419903A2 EP10772356A EP10772356A EP2419903A2 EP 2419903 A2 EP2419903 A2 EP 2419903A2 EP 10772356 A EP10772356 A EP 10772356A EP 10772356 A EP10772356 A EP 10772356A EP 2419903 A2 EP2419903 A2 EP 2419903A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
block
nuclear
fuel body
enclosure
nuclear fuel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP10772356A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Charles E. Ahlfeld
John Rogers Gilleland
Roderick A. Hyde
Muriel Y. Ishikawa
David G. Mcalees
Nathan P. Myhrvold
Clarence T. Tegreene
Thomas Allan Weaver
Charles Whitmer
Victoria Y.H. Wood
JR. Lowell L. WOOD
George B. Zimmerman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Searete LLC
Original Assignee
Searete LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US12/386,524 external-priority patent/US9443623B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/459,857 external-priority patent/US9159461B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/459,856 external-priority patent/US9659673B2/en
Priority claimed from US12/459,855 external-priority patent/US9704604B2/en
Application filed by Searete LLC filed Critical Searete LLC
Publication of EP2419903A2 publication Critical patent/EP2419903A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/02—Fuel elements
    • G21C3/04—Constructional details
    • G21C3/044—Fuel elements with porous or capillary structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/02—Fuel elements
    • G21C3/22—Fuel elements with fissile or breeder material in contact with coolant
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C1/00—Reactor types
    • G21C1/02—Fast fission reactors, i.e. reactors not using a moderator ; Metal cooled reactors; Fast breeders
    • G21C1/022—Fast fission reactors, i.e. reactors not using a moderator ; Metal cooled reactors; Fast breeders characterised by the design or properties of the core
    • G21C1/026—Reactors not needing refueling, i.e. reactors of the type breed-and-burn, e.g. travelling or deflagration wave reactors or seed-blanket reactors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C21/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted to the manufacture of reactors or parts thereof
    • G21C21/02—Manufacture of fuel elements or breeder elements contained in non-active casings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/02—Fuel elements
    • G21C3/04—Constructional details
    • G21C3/041—Means for removal of gases from fuel elements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C3/00—Reactor fuel elements and their assemblies; Selection of substances for use as reactor fuel elements
    • G21C3/30—Assemblies of a number of fuel elements in the form of a rigid unit
    • G21C3/32—Bundles of parallel pin-, rod-, or tube-shaped fuel elements
    • G21C3/3213—Means for the storage or removal of fission gases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
    • G21C7/00—Control of nuclear reaction
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
    • Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors

Definitions

  • This application generally relates to nuclear reactor fuel assemblies and more particularly relates to a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same.
  • Fission of thorium-232 and uranium-238 which are fertile nuclides, will not undergo induced fission, except with fast neutrons that have a kinetic energy of at least 1 MeV (million electron volts).
  • the total kinetic energy released from each fission event is about 200 MeV. This kinetic energy is eventually transformed into heat.
  • the fission process which starts with an initial source of neutrons, liberates additional neutrons as well as transforms kinetic energy into heat. This results in a self-sustaining fission chain reaction that is accompanied by continued release of heat. For every neutron that is absorbed, more than one neutron is liberated until the fissile nuclei are depleted. This phenomenon is used in a commercial nuclear reactor to produce continuous heat that, in turn, is used to generate electricity.
  • U.S. Patent 4,285,891 issued August 25, 1981 in the names of Lane A. Bray et al. and titled "Method of Removing Fission Gases from Irradiated Fuel” discloses a method for removing volatile fission products from irradiated fuel by first passing a hydrogen-containing inert gas by the fuel which is heated to an elevated temperature of at least 1000° C and then passing inert gas alone by the fuel which is at the elevated temperature.
  • a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, comprising an enclosure adapted to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body and a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure and adapted to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a burn wave in the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly, comprising an enclosure adapted to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of pores having the volatile fission product therein and a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controllably removing at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.
  • a system for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by presence of a burn wave in a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprising an enclosure adapted to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of pores having the volatile fission product therein and a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • a system for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by presence of a burn wave in a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprising an enclosure adapted to enclose a heat- generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores having the volatile fission product therein and a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controllably removing at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.
  • a method of assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, comprising providing an enclosure to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body and coupling a fluid control subassembly to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • a method of assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a bum wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, comprising providing an enclosure to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores and coupling a fluid control subassembly to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a method comprising controlling removal of a volatile fission product at a plurality of locations corresponding to a burn wave of a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a method of operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, comprising using an enclosure enclosing a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein and using a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a method of operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, comprising using an enclosure enclosing a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores and using a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a feature of the present disclosure is the provision, for use in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, of an enclosure adapted to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission
  • Another feature of the present disclosure is the provision, for use in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, of a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure and adapted to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • Yet another feature of the present disclosure is the provision, for use in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, of a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure for controllably removing at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.
  • Still another feature of the present disclosure is the provision, for use in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, of a dual-purpose circuit coupled to the enclosure for selectively removing the volatile fission product and the heat from the nuclear fuel body.
  • FIG. 1 is a view in partial vertical section of a first embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system, this view also showing volatile fission products residing in a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores defined by a porous nuclear fuel body disposed in the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly;
  • FIG. 2 is a magnified view of a portion of the nuclear fuel body defining the plurality of interconnected open-cell pores exaggerated for clarity, this view also showing volatile fission products residing in the open-cell pores;
  • FIG. 2 A is a magnified view of a portion of a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining a plurality of channels therebetween, the particles and channels being exaggerated for clarity, this view also showing volatile fission products residing in the channels;
  • FIG. 3 is a view in partial vertical section of a second embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 4 is a view in partial vertical section of a third embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 5 is a view in partial vertical section of a fourth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 6 is a view in partial vertical section of a plurality of fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems disposed in a sealable vessel;
  • FIG. 6A is a view in partial vertical section of a first embodiment diaphragm valve having a breakable barrier
  • FIG. 6B is a view in partial vertical section of a second embodiment diaphragm valve having the barrier breakable by means of a piston arrangement
  • FIG. 7 is a view in partial vertical section of a plurality of sixth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems having portions thereof disposed outside the sealable vessel;
  • FIG. 7A is a view in partial vertical section of a first supply component, a second supply component and a fluid control subassembly operatively coupled together by a Y- shaped pipe junction;
  • FIG. 7B is a view in partial vertical section of an inlet subassembly and an outlet subassembly coupled to the fluid control subassembly;
  • FIG. 7C is a view in partial vertical section of an inlet subassembly coupled to the porous nuclear fuel body and an outlet subassembly coupled to the fluid control subassembly;
  • FIG. 7D is a view in partial vertical section of a plurality of inlet subassemblies coupled to the fuel body, a plurality of pumps coupled to respective ones of the inlet subassemblies and also showing an outlet subassembly coupled to the fluid control subassembly;
  • FIG. 7E is a view in partial vertical section of a seventh embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system, this view also showing volatile fission products residing in a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores defined by a porous nuclear fuel body disposed in a plurality of nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies;
  • FIG. 8 is a view in partial vertical section of an eighth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 9 is a plan view of a ninth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 10 is a view taken along section line 10-10 of Fig. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a view in partial vertical section of a tenth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 12 is a view in partial vertical section of an eleventh embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 13 is a plan view of a twelfth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 14 is a view taken along section line 14-14 of Fig. 13;
  • FIG. 15 is a view in partial elevation of a thirteenth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 16 is a view taken along section line 16-16 of Fig. 15;
  • FIG. 17 is a plan view of a fourteenth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 18 is a view along section line 18-18 of Fig. 17;
  • FIG. 19 is a view in partial vertical section of a fifteenth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIG. 20 is a view in partial vertical section of a sixteenth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system
  • FIGS. 21A - 21CQ are flowcharts of illustrative methods of assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor;
  • FIG. 22A is a flowchart of an illustrative method for removal of a volatile fission product at a plurality of locations corresponding to a burn wave
  • FIGS. 23A - 23CK are flowcharts of illustrative methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a bum wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the present application uses formal outline headings for clarity of presentation.
  • the outline headings are for presentation purposes, and that different types of subject matter may be discussed throughout the application (e.g., device(s)/structure(s) may be described under process(es)/operations heading(s) and/or process(es)/operations may be discussed under structure(s)/process(es) headings; and/or descriptions of single topics may span two or more topic headings).
  • the use of the formal outline headings is not intended to be in any way limiting.
  • any two components so associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected”, or “operably coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being “operably couplable,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
  • operably couplable include but are not limited to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components, and/or wirelessly interactable, and/or wirelessly interacting components, and/or logically interacting, and/or logically interactable components.
  • one or more components may be referred to herein as "configured to,” “configurable to,” “operable/operative to,” “adapted/adaptable,” “able to,” “conformable/conformed to,” etc.
  • configured to can generally encompass active-state components and/or inactive-state components and/or standby-state components, unless context requires otherwise.
  • Heat build-up during reactor operation may cause fuel assemblies to undergo expansion leading to misalignment of reactor core components, fuel cladding creep that can increase risk of fuel cladding rupture and fuel swelling during reactor operation. This may increase the risk that the fuel might crack or otherwise degrade.
  • Fuel cracking may precede fuel-cladding failure mechanisms, such as fuel-clad mechanical interaction, and lead to fission gas release. The fission gas release results in higher than normal radiation levels.
  • Fission products are generated during the fission process and may accumulate in the fuel. Accumulation of fission products, including fission gas, may lead to an undesirable amount of fuel assembly expansion. Such fuel assembly expansion may, in turn, increase the risk of fuel cracking and concomitant release of fission products into the surrounding environment. Although safety margins incorporated into the reactor design and precise quality control during manufacture reduce these risks to a minimal level, in some cases, it may still be appropriate to reduce these risks even further.
  • a first embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system for producing heat due to fission of a fissile nuclide, such as uranium-235, uranium-233 or plutonium-239, or due to fast-fission of a nuclide such as thorium-232 or uranium-238.
  • fuel assembly 10 is also capable of controlled removal of a volatile fission product 15 produced during the fission process.
  • Volatile fission product 15 is produced by a traveling burn wave 16 that is initiated by a comparatively small and removable nuclear fission igniter 17.
  • nuclear fission igniter 17 that includes a moderate isotopic enrichment of nuclear fissionable material, such as, without limitation, U-233, U-235 or Pu-239, is suitably located at a predetermined location in fuel assembly 10.
  • Neutrons are released by igniter 17.
  • the neutrons that are released by igniter 17 are captured by fissile and/or fertile material within nuclear fission fuel assembly 10 to initiate a fission chain reaction.
  • Igniter 17 may be removed once the chain reaction becomes self-sustaining, if desired. It may be appreciated that volatile fission product 15 can be controllably released in response to the controlled positioning of burn wave 16 in nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 10.
  • any of the embodiments of the fuel assembly described herein may be used as a component of a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor is disclosed in detail in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 11/605,943 filed November 28, 2006 in the names of Roderick A. Hyde, et al. and titled “Automated Nuclear Power Reactor For Long-Term Operation", which application is assigned to the assignee of the present application, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • fuel assembly 10 comprises an enclosure 20 having enclosure walls 30 for sealingly enclosing a porous nuclear fuel body 40 therein.
  • Fuel body 40 comprises the aforementioned fissile nuclide, such as uranium-235, uranium-233 or plutonium-239.
  • fuel body 40 may comprise the aforementioned fertile nuclide, such as thorium-232 and/or uranium-238, which will be transmuted during the fission process into one or more of the fissile nuclides mentioned hereinabove.
  • fuel body 40 may comprise a predetermined mixture of fissile and fertile nuclides.
  • fuel body 40 is capable of producing volatile fission product 15, which may be isotopes of iodine, bromine, cesium, potassium, rubidium, strontium, xenon, krypton, barium and mixtures thereof or other gaseous or volatile materials.
  • porous nuclear fuel body 40 may substantially comprise a metal, such as uranium, thorium, plutonium, or alloys thereof. More specifically, nuclear fuel body 40 may be a porous material made from an oxide selected from the group consisting essentially of uranium monoxide (UO), uranium dioxide (UO 2 ), thorium dioxide (ThO 2 ) (also referred to as thorium oxide), uranium trioxide (UO 3 ), uranium oxide-plutonium oxide (UO-PuO), triuranium octoxide (U 3 O 8 ) and mixtures thereof.
  • UO uranium monoxide
  • UO 2 uranium dioxide
  • ThO 2 thorium dioxide
  • UO 3 uranium trioxide
  • UO-PuO uranium oxide-plutonium oxide
  • U 3 O 8 triuranium octoxide
  • fuel body 40 may substantially comprise a carbide of uranium (UC x ) or a carbide of thorium (ThC x ).
  • fuel body 40 may be a foam material made from a carbide selected from the group consisting essentially of uranium monocarbide (UC), uranium dicarbide (UC 2 ), uranium sesquicarbide (U 2 C 3 ), thorium dicarbide (ThC 2 ), thorium carbide (ThC) and mixtures thereof.
  • the uranium carbide or thorium carbide may be sputtered into a matrix of niobium carbide (NbC) and zirconium carbide (ZrC), so as to form fuel body 40.
  • NbC niobium carbide
  • ZrC zirconium carbide
  • a potential benefit of using niobium carbide and zirconium carbide is that they form a refractory structural substrate for the uranium carbide or thorium carbide.
  • fuel body 40 may be a porous material made from a nitride selected from the group consisting essentially of uranium nitride (U 3 N 2 ), uranium nitride-zirconium nitride (U 3 N 2 - Zr 3 N 4 ), uranium-plutonium nitride ((U- Pu)N), thorium nitride (ThN), uranium-zirconium alloy (UZr) and mixtures thereof.
  • a nitride selected from the group consisting essentially of uranium nitride (U 3 N 2 ), uranium nitride-zirconium nitride (U 3 N 2 - Zr 3 N 4 ), uranium-plutonium nitride ((U- Pu)N), thorium nitride (ThN), uranium-zirconium alloy (UZr) and mixtures thereof.
  • open-cell pores means that each pore 50 is interconnected with one or more neighboring pores 50, thereby permitting fluid, such as gas or liquid, to directly travel between pores 50. That is, open-cell pores 50 are disposed within fuel body 40 so as to form a fibrous, rod-like, web-like or honeycomb structure.
  • fuel body 40 may comprise a porous fuel material formed by a collection of fuel particles 63 (such as sintered beads or packed spheres) that define a plurality of interstitial channels 65 therebetween.
  • open-cell pores 50 may be disposed within fuel material having a mixture of foam and porous characteristics. It should be understood that the description hereinbelow pertaining to pores 50 also applies to channels 65.
  • volatile fission product 15 that is produced by burn wave 16 may initially reside in some or all of pores 50 and can naturally vaporize and diffuse through nuclear fuel body 40. It also may be appreciated that at least some of pores 50 are of a predetermined configuration for allowing at least a portion of volatile fission product 15 to escape pores 50 of porous nuclear fuel body 40 within a predetermined response time.
  • the predetermined response time may be between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1,000 seconds. Alternatively, the predetermined response time may be between approximately one second and approximately 10,000 seconds depending on the predetermined configuration of pores 50.
  • a fluid control subassembly 80 that defines a first volume 90 containing a first fluid, such as pressurized helium gas.
  • the first fluid may be any suitable pressurized inert gas, such as, without limitation, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and mixtures thereof.
  • the first fluid may be a suitable liquid, such as liquid lead (Pb), sodium (Na), lithium (Li), mercury (Hg) or similar liquids or liquid mixtures.
  • fluid control subassembly 80 assists in controllably removing volatile fission product 15 and heat from fuel body 40.
  • fluid control subassembly 80 is capable of circulating the first fluid through porous nuclear fuel body 40. In this manner, heat and volatile fission product 15 are removed from fuel body 40 while the first fluid circulates through fuel body 40.
  • a second embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system is there shown.
  • This second embodiment fuel assembly 100 is substantially similar to first embodiment fuel assembly 10, except that a heat exchanger 110 is associated with enclosure 20.
  • Heat exchanger 110 comprises a shell 120 defining an interior 130 capable of containing a second fluid for cooling the first fluid that is used to remove heat and volatile fission product 15 from fuel body 40.
  • the second fluid has a temperature lower than the temperature of the first fluid.
  • U-shaped tubes 132 Disposed within interior 130 are a plurality of U-shaped tubes 132 (only one of which is shown) having two open ends.
  • one end of U-shaped tube 132 has an opening 134 and the other end of U-shaped tube 132 has another opening 136. Openings 134 and 136 are in fluid communication with the first fluid occupying first volume 90 of fluid control subassembly 80. It may be appreciated that there is a density difference between the cooled portion of first fluid residing within tubes 132 and the heated portion of the first fluid in porous nuclear fuel body 40. This temperature difference will give rise to a difference in density between the cooled portion of the first fluid residing within tubes 132 and the heated portion of the first fluid in porous nuclear fuel body 40.
  • tubes 132 are U-shaped to increase heat transfer surface area to enhance this natural convection.
  • natural convection is relied upon to circulate the first fluid due to the substantial temperature difference between the cooler and hotter portions of the first fluid.
  • the second fluid As the first fluid circulates through tubes 132, the second fluid, which is at a substantially lower temperature than the first fluid, will be caused to enter interior 130 through an inlet nozzle 140, such as by means of a pump (not shown). The second fluid will then exit interior 130 through an outlet nozzle 150. As the second fluid enters and exits heat exchanger 110, the lower temperature second fluid will surround the plurality of U-shaped tubes 132. Conductive heat transfer, through the walls of tubes 132, will occur between the first fluid circulating in tubes 132 and the second fluid surrounding tubes 132. In this manner, the heated first fluid will give up its heat to the cooler second fluid. Referring again to Fig.
  • this second embodiment fuel assembly 100 may be operable with no pumps or valves to circulate the first fluid because the first fluid can be circulated by means of natural convection. Absence of pumps and valves may increase reliability of second embodiment fuel assembly 100 while reducing costs of manufacture and maintenance of second embodiment fuel assembly 100.
  • heat exchanger 110 may serve as a steam generator, if desired. That is, depending on the temperature and pressure within heat exchanger 110, a portion of the second fluid can vaporize to steam (when the second fluid is water) which exits outlet nozzle 150.
  • the steam exiting outlet nozzle 150 can be transported to a turbine-generator device (not shown) for producing electricity in a manner well known in the art of electricity generation from steam.
  • Third embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 190 comprises a second pipe segment 200 that is in communication with first volume 90 at one end of second pipe segment 200 and is integrally connected at the other end of second pipe segment 200 to an inlet of a first pump 210, which may be a centrifugal pump.
  • a first pump 210 which may be a centrifugal pump.
  • An outlet of first pump 210 is connected to a third pipe segment 220, which in turn is in communication with fuel body 40.
  • heat exchanger 110 may be coupled to third pipe segment 220 for removing heat from the fluid flowing through third pipe segment 220.
  • first pump 210 is activated.
  • First pump 210 will draw fluid, such as the previously mentioned helium gas, from second pipe segment 200 and thus from first volume 90, which is defined by fluid control subassembly 80.
  • First pump 210 will pump the fluid through third pipe segment 220.
  • the fluid flowing through third pipe segment 220 is received by the plurality (or multiplicity) of open-cell pores 50 that are defined by fuel body 40.
  • the fluid flowing through open-cell pores 50 will acquire the heat produced by fuel body 40.
  • the heat is acquired by means of forced convective heat transfer as the fluid is pumped through open-cell pores 50 by means of first pump 210.
  • first pump 210 As first pump 210 is operated, the fluid flowing through fuel body 40 and that is experiencing the convective heat transfer, is drawn, due to the pumping action of pump 210, through first pipe segment 70, into first volume 90, through second pipe segment 200 and thence into third pipe segment 220 where the heat is removed by heat exchanger 110. Also, while fluid circulates between fuel body 40 and first volume 90, a portion of volatile fission products 15 originating in fuel body 40 can be scavenged and retained within first volume 90 thereby removing or at least lowering the amount of fission product 15 present in fuel body 40.
  • first volume 90 may be lined with a fission product scavenging material 225 which retains fission product 15 as the fission product removal fluid enters volume 90.
  • the fission product scavenging material may be, with limitation, silver zeolite (AgZ) for removing Xenon (Xe) and Krypton (Kr) or the fission product scavenging material may be, without limitation, metallic oxides of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) or titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) for removing radioisotopes of cesium (Cs), rubidium (Rb), iodine (I 2 ), tellurium (Te) and mixtures thereof.
  • a benefit of using this third embodiment fuel assembly 190 is that only a pump 210 is required to circulate the first fluid. No valves are needed. Absence of valves may increase reliability of third embodiment fuel assembly 190 while reducing costs of manufacture and maintenance of third embodiment fuel assembly 190.
  • a fourth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system is capable of further enhancing removal of the previously mentioned volatile fission product 15 as well as heat from fuel body 40.
  • Fourth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 230 is substantially similar to third embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 190, except that means is added for enhanced removal of heat and volatile fission product 15.
  • a fourth pipe segment 240 has an end thereof in communication with first volume 90 and another end thereof integrally coupled to an intake of a second pump 250.
  • a discharge of second pump 250 is integrally coupled to a sixth pipe segment 260.
  • the sixth pipe segment 260 in turn is in communication with a second volume 270 defined by a first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280.
  • pump 210 will pump the first fluid from first volume 90, through second pipe segment 200, through third pipe segment 220, through fuel body 40, through first pipe segment 70 and back into first volume 90.
  • First pump 210 may then be caused to cease operation after a predetermined amount of time.
  • Second pump 250 may then be operated to draw the fission product 15, including the first fluid intermingled therewith, through fourth pipe segment 240, through fifth pipe segment 260 and into second volume 270 that is defined by first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280.
  • volatile fission product 15 will have been removed from fuel body 40 and then retained in first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280 for subsequent off-site disposal or the fission product 15 in reservoir or holding tank 280 may remain in situ, if desired.
  • fuel assembly 230 only pumps 210/250 are required. No valves are needed. Absence of valves may increase reliability of fourth embodiment fuel assembly 230 while reducing costs of manufacture and maintenance of fourth embodiment fuel assembly 230.
  • Another benefit of fourth embodiment fuel assembly 230 is that volatile fission products 15 are isolated in second volume 270 and can be removed for subsequent off-site disposal or left in place.
  • FIG. 6 there is shown a fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system, generally referred to as 290.
  • a fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system there may be a plurality of fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies 290 (only three of which are shown).
  • a sealable vessel 310 such as a pressure vessel or containment vessel, surrounds nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies 290 for preventing leakage of radioactive particles, gasses or liquids from fuel assembly 290 to the surrounding environment.
  • Vessel 310 may be steel, concrete or other material of suitable size and thickness to reduce risk of such radiation leakage and to support required pressure loads.
  • vessel 310 defines a well 320 therein in which is disposed fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies 290.
  • Fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 is capable of controlled removal of heat build-up and also controlled removal of volatile fission product 15, as described more fully hereinbelow.
  • fuel assembly 290 comprises a compact, combined, closed-loop, dual-purpose heat removal and volatile fission product removal circuit, generally referred to as 330.
  • Dual-purpose circuit 330 is capable of selectively removing heat as well as volatile fission products 15 from fuel body 40. In this regard, circuit 330 may be operated to first remove volatile fission products 15 and then remove heat, or vice versa. Thus, circuit 330 is capable of consecutively removing heat and fission products 15.
  • dual-purpose circuit 330 comprises the previously mentioned fluid control subassembly 80 that defines first volume 90 containing the fluid supply.
  • First pipe segment 70 is in communication with fuel body 40 at one end of first pipe segment 70 and is integrally coupled at the other end of first pipe segment 70 to an inlet of a third pump 340, which may be a centrifugal pump.
  • the outlet of third pump 340 is connected to a sixth pipe segment 350, which in turn is in communication with first volume 90.
  • Second pipe segment 200 is in communication with first volume 90 at one end of second pipe segment 200 and is integrally connected to an inlet of first pump 210 at the other end of second pipe segment 200. It is appreciated that pumps 340 and 210 may be selected so that either pump 340 or pump 210 operating alone is capable of circulating a reduced but sufficient flow rate of the fluid within dual-purpose circuit 330.
  • a heat exchanger 355 is disposed in third pipe segment 220 between a seventh pipe segment 360 and enclosure 20 for removing heat from the fluid as the fluid circulates through dual-purpose circuit 330.
  • Heat exchanger 355 may be substantially similar in configuration to heat exchanger 110.
  • Second reservoir or holding tank 370 defines a third volume 380 for holding and isolating volatile fission products 15 therein.
  • Second reservoir or holding tank 370 is coupled to third pipe segment 220 by seventh pipe segment 360.
  • a motor- operated first back-flow prevention valve 390 for allowing flow of volatile fission products 15 into third volume 380; but, not for allowing reverse flow of volatile fission products 15 from third volume 380.
  • Motor-operated first back-flow prevention valve 390 may be operable by action of a controller or control unit 400 electrically connected thereto. Alternatively, valve 390 need not be motor-operated, but may be operated by suitable other means.
  • Such a back-flow prevention valve suitable for this purpose may be available from, for example, Emerson Process Manufacture, Ltd. located in Baar, Switzerland. As described in more detail hereinbelow, volatile fission products 15 produced by fuel body 40 will be captured and held within third volume 380 in order to isolate volatile fission products 15.
  • Second back-flow prevention valve 410 allows flow of fluid into enclosure 20; but, does not allow reverse flow of fluid from enclosure 20 back into third pipe segment 220.
  • Motor-operated second back-flow prevention valve 410 may be operable by action of control unit 400 electrically connected thereto.
  • first pipe segment 70, third pump 340, sixth pipe segment 350, heat exchanger 355, fluid control subassembly 80, second pipe segment 200, first pump 210, third pipe segment 220, seventh pipe segment 360, second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370, first back-flow prevention valve 390, second back-flow prevention valve 410, control unit 400 and fuel body 40 together define dual-purpose circuit 330.
  • dual-purpose circuit 330 is capable of circulating the fluid through open-cell pores 50 of fuel body 40, so that the heat and volatile fission products 15 are selectively removed from fuel body 40 either consecutively or simultaneously.
  • nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 a benefit of this fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 is that dual-purpose circuit 330 can selectively consecutively remove volatile fission products 15 and heat by controlled operation of pumps 210/340, valves 390/410 and control unit 400.
  • a plurality of sensors or neutron flux detectors 412 may be disposed in fuel body 40 for detecting various operating characteristics of fuel body 40.
  • detector 412 may be adapted to detect the operating characteristics of neutron population level, power level and/or position of burn wave 16 in fuel body 40.
  • Detector 412 is coupled to control unit 400, which control unit 400 controls operation of detector 412.
  • a plurality of fission product pressure detectors 413 may be disposed in fuel body 40 for detecting fission product pressure level in fuel body 40.
  • control unit 400 is capable of operating valves 390 and 410 to control release of volatile fission product 15 and heat according to the amount of time nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 is continuously or periodically operated and/or according to any time schedule associated with nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290.
  • a controller suitable for use as control unit 400 might be of a type that may be available from, for example, Stolley and Orlebeke, Incorporated located in Elmhurst, Illinois, U.S.A.
  • neutron flux detectors suitable for this purpose may be available from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Incorporated located in Waltham, Massachusetts U.S.A.
  • suitable pressure detectors may be available from Kaman Measuring Systems, Incorporated located in Colorado Springs, Colorado U.S.A.
  • a first embodiment diaphragm valve having a hollow valve body 415 may be substituted for valves 390 and/or 410, if desired.
  • the previously mentioned back-flow prevention valve 390 or 410 may be used in combination with first embodiment diaphragm valve 414a, as shown.
  • Disposed within hollow valve body 415 is a plurality of breakable barriers or membranes 416, which may be made of a thin elastomer, or metal of thin cross-section. Membranes 416 break or rupture when subjected to a predetermined system pressure.
  • Each membrane 416 is mounted on respective ones of a plurality of supports 417, such as by means of fasteners 418.
  • valves 390 or 410 may be a second embodiment diaphragm valve, generally referred to as 414b, having breakable barriers or membranes 416 that are breakable by means of a piston arrangement, generally referred to as 419.
  • Second embodiment diaphragm valve 414b may be used in combination with back-flow prevention valve 390 or 410, as shown.
  • Piston arrangement 419 has a piston 419a movable to break membrane 416. Each piston 419a is movable by means of a motor 419b. Motors 419b are connected to control unit 400, so that control unit 400 controls motors 419b.
  • each piston 419a is capable of moving to break membrane 416 by means of operator action as an operator operates control unit 400.
  • Valves 414b may be custom designed valves that may be available from Solenoid Solutions, Incorporated located in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. However, it may be appreciated that valves 414a and 414b may be check valves rather than diaphragm valves, if desired.
  • circuit 330 can be operated to selectively consecutively remove volatile fission products 15 as well as heat from fuel body 40.
  • first valve 390 is opened and second valve 410 is closed, such as by action of control unit 400 to which valves 390/410 are electrically connected.
  • volatile fission products 15 are produced in fuel body 40 by burn wave 16 and reside in open-cell pores 50.
  • Third pump 340 is selectively operable, such as by means of control unit 400, so that fission products 15 acquired by open-cell pores 50 are drawn through first pipe segment 70, into sixth pipe segment 350 and then into first volume 90.
  • First pump 210 will then draw the fission products 15 from first volume 90 and then through second pipe segment 200.
  • First pump 210 will pump the fission products 15 from second pipe segment 200 and through third pipe segment 220.
  • the fission products 15 flowing along third pipe segment 220 will be diverted to second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370 because first valve 390 is open and second valve 410 is closed. After a predetermined amount of time, first valve 390 is closed and second valve 410 is opened to resume removal of fission products 15 from fuel body 40, if needed.
  • first valve 390 is closed and second valve 410 is opened, such as by action of control unit 400.
  • First pump 210 and third pump 340 are activated, which also may be by action of control unit 400.
  • First pump 210 will draw the fluid, such as the previously mentioned helium gas, through first pipe segment 200 and thus from first volume 90, which is defined by fluid control subassembly 80.
  • First pump 210 will pump the fluid through third pipe segment 220.
  • the previously mentioned heat exchanger 355 is in heat transfer communication with the fluid flowing through third pipe segment 220 for removing the heat carried by the fluid.
  • third pipe segment 220 will not be diverted to reservoir or holding tank 370 because first valve 390 is closed.
  • the fluid flowing through third pipe segment 220 is received by the plurality (or multiplicity) of open-cell pores 50 that are defined by porous fuel body 40.
  • the fluid received by open-cell pores 50 will acquire the heat produced by fuel body 40.
  • the heat is acquired by means of convective heat transfer as the fluid flows through open-cell pores 50.
  • third pump 340 is operated, such as by means of control unit 400.
  • nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 A benefit of using fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 is that compact, dual- purpose circuit 330 can selectively consecutively remove volatile fission products 15 and then remove heat or vice versa. This result is accomplished by controlled operation of pumps 210/340 and valves 390/410 by means of control unit 400 and also by means of heat exchanger 355.
  • a sixth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system are there shown, generally referred to as 420.
  • Sixth embodiment fuel assembly 420 is substantially similar to fifth embodiment fuel assembly 290, except that the following components are disposed substantially externally to vessel 310: first pipe segment 70, third pump 340, sixth pipe segment 350, fluid control subassembly 80, second pipe segment 200, first pump 210, third pipe segment 220, first valve 390, heat exchanger 355, seventh pipe segment 360, second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370, second valve 410 and control unit 400.
  • disposing these components externally to vessel 310 may make these components more readily accessible for easier maintenance without exposing maintenance equipment and reactor personnel to radiation levels within vessel 310 while performing such maintenance.
  • first fluid supply reservoir or first component 422, a second fluid supply reservoir or second component 423 and fluid control subassembly 80 are operatively coupled together by a Y-shaped pipe junction 424.
  • First fluid supply component 422 is capable of supplying a fission product removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80, so as to enable fluid control subassembly 80 to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the open-cell pores 50 of nuclear fuel body 40. In this manner, at least a portion of volatile fission product 15 acquired by pores 50 of nuclear fuel body 40 is removed from pores 50 while fluid control subassembly 80 circulates the fission product removal fluid through pores 50.
  • second fluid supply component 423 is capable of supplying a heat removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80, so as to enable fluid control subassembly 80 to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of nuclear fuel body 40. In this manner, at least a portion of the heat generated by nuclear fuel body 40 is removed from nuclear fuel body 40 while fluid control subassembly 80 circulates the heat removal fluid through nuclear fuel body 40.
  • the fission product removal fluid may be, with limitation, hydrogen (H 2 ), helium (He), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and/or methane (CH 4 ).
  • the heat removal fluid may be, without limitation, hydrogen (H 2 ), helium (He), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sodium (Na), lead (Pb), sodium-potassium (NaK), lithium (Li), "light” water (H 2 O), lead-bismuth (Pb-Bi) alloys, and/or fluorine-lithium-beryllium (FLiBe).
  • First component 422 and second component 423 may be substantially identical in configuration.
  • a pair of back-flow prevention valves (not shown) may be integrally coupled to respective ones of components 422/423 for controlling flow of the fission product removal fluid and heat removal fluid into volume 90, but not reverse flow from volume 90 and back into either first component 422 or second component 423.
  • first component 422 and second component 423 are capable of supplying, respectively, the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80.
  • first component 422 and second component 423 are capable of sequentially supplying, respectively, the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80.
  • a pair of pumps (not shown) is coupled to first component 422 and second component 423, respectively, for pumping the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80.
  • a fluid control subassembly may alternatively comprise an inlet subassembly 426 for supplying the fission product removal fluid to fluid control subassembly 80.
  • a valve 426' may be interposed between inlet subassembly 426 and fluid control subassembly 80 for controlling flow of the fission product removal fluid from inlet subassembly 426 to volume 90.
  • a fourth pump 340' that is in communication with volume 90 and that is connected to fuel body 40 may thereafter pump the fission product removal fluid to porous nuclear fuel body 40.
  • An outlet subassembly 427 is also provided for removing the fission product removal fluid from porous nuclear fuel body 40.
  • third pump 340 is operated to withdraw the fission product removal fluid from nuclear fuel body 40 and into fluid control subassembly 80. Thereafter, the fission product removal fluid flows into outlet subassembly 427.
  • Another valve 427' may be interposed between outlet subassembly 427 and fluid control subassembly 80 for controlling flow of the fission product removal fluid to outlet subassembly 427.
  • valve 427' is closed and valve 426' is opened, the fission product removal fluid in inlet subassembly 426 is drawn by pump 340'into volume 90 and then into fuel body 40.
  • a fluid control subassembly may alternatively comprise inlet subassembly 426 that is coupled to enclosure 20.
  • Optional pump 340a pumps the fission product removal fluid from inlet subassembly 426 to fuel body 40 and through pipe 426' and pipe 70a.
  • the fission product removal fluid is drawn from fuel body 40 and through pipe 70b, such as by another optional pump 340b, and then flows to fluid control subassembly 80. From there, the fission product removal fluid is pumped by optional pump 340c so that the fission product removal fluid flows through pipe 427' to outlet subassembly 427.
  • heat exchanger 355 may be interposed between fluid control subassembly 80 and outlet subassembly 427 for removing heat from the fission product removal fluid.
  • a fluid control subassembly may alternatively comprise a plurality of outlet subassemblies 428a/428b/428c for receiving the fission product removal fluid from porous nuclear fuel body 40 and may further comprise a plurality of pumps 429a/429b/429c coupled to respective ones of outlet subassemblies 428a/428b/428c.
  • Pumps 429a/429b/429c are configured to pump the fission product removal fluid along pipes 70a/70b/70c to respective ones of the plurality of outlet subassemblies 428a/428b/428c.
  • the fission product removal fluid flows to fluid control subassembly 80 through pipe 71 due to the pumping action of a pump 71 '. From there, the fission product removal fluid flows through pipe 427' to a reservoir 427 due to the pumping action of a pump 429d. If desired, either or all of the pumps 429a, 429b, 429c, 429d and 71 ' may be omitted. If desired, heat exchanger 355 may be interposed between fluid control subassembly 80 and outlet subassembly 427 for removing heat from the fluid.
  • a seventh embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system for producing heat due to fission of a fissile nuclide.
  • This seventh embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system is similar to the first embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 10, except that there are a plurality of enclosures 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the enclosures 20a, 20b and 20c is connected to fluid control subassembly 80 by means of respective ones of a plurality of pipe segments 72a, 72b and 72c.
  • Seventh embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 430 otherwise operates in the same manner as first embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 10.
  • FIG. 8 there is shown an eighth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system, generally referred to as 438.
  • This eighth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 438 differs from fifth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 and sixth embodiment nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 420 in that dual purpose circuit 330 is replaced by a fission product flow path, generally referred to as 440 and by a separate heat removal flow path, generally referred to as 450.
  • the purpose of heat removal flow path 450 is to remove heat from fuel body 40.
  • the purpose of fission product flow path 440 is to remove and isolate volatile fission products 15 from fuel body 40.
  • Heat removal flow path 450 comprises the previously mentioned fluid control subassembly 80 that defines first volume 90.
  • the first volume 90 contains the fluid, such as helium gas, that is used to remove heat.
  • First pipe segment 70 is in communication with fuel body 40. at one end of first pipe segment 70 and is integrally connected at the other end of first pipe segment 70 to the inlet of third pump 340.
  • the outlet of third pump 340 is connected to sixth pipe segment 350, which in turn is in communication with first volume 90.
  • Second pipe segment 200 is in communication with first volume 90 at one end of second pipe segment 200 and is integrally connected to the inlet of first pump 210 at the other end of second pipe segment 200.
  • the outlet of first pump 210 is connected to third pipe segment 220, which in turn is in communication with fuel body 40.
  • Heat exchanger 355 is coupled to third pipe segment 220 for removing heat from the fluid.
  • heat removal flow path 450 is capable of circulating the heat removal fluid through heat exchanger 355 and open-cell pores 50 of fuel body 40, so that heat is removed from fuel body 40.
  • fission product flow path 440 comprises a first flow pipe 460 having one end thereof in communication with fuel body 40.
  • the other end of first flow pipe 460 is connected to an inlet of a fifth pump 470, which may be a centrifugal pump.
  • the outlet of fifth pump 470 is connected to a second flow pipe 480.
  • Second flow pipe 480 is in communication with a fourth volume 490, which is defined by a third fission product reservoir or holding tank 500.
  • fission product flow path 440 is capable of removing and isolating fission products 15 from fuel body 40.
  • first pump 210 and third pump 340 are activated, which may be by means of control unit 400.
  • First pump 210 will draw the heat removal fluid, such as the previously mentioned helium gas, through first pipe segment 200 and thus from first volume 90, which is defined by fluid control subassembly 80.
  • First pump 210 will pump the fluid through third pipe segment 220.
  • the fluid flowing through third pipe segment 220 is received by the plurality (or multiplicity) of open-cell pores 50 that are defined by fuel body 40.
  • the fluid received by open-cell pores 50 will acquire the heat produced by fuel body 40.
  • the heat is acquired by means of convective heat transfer as the fluid flows through open-cell pores 50.
  • third pump 340 is operated, such as by means of control unit 400.
  • third pump 340 is operated, the fluid that is experiencing the convective heat transfer in fuel body 40 is drawn through first pipe segment 70 by third pump 340 and then pumped by third pump 340 into first volume 90.
  • First pump 210, third pump 340 and fourth pump 470 may each be selectively operated by means of control unit 400.
  • the previously mentioned heat exchanger 355 that is in heat transfer communication with the fluid flowing in third pipe segment 220 removes the heat from the fluid.
  • Pumps 340 and 210 are selected such that heat removal flow path 450 may be implemented with pump 340 alone, with pump 210 alone, or with pumps 340 and 210 together. In other words, simultaneous operation of pumps 340 and 210 will remove heat at a maximum rate. On the other hand, operation of either pump 340 or 210 alone will pump the heat removal fluid at a reduced, but sufficient, rate if either of pumps 340 or 210 is non-functional or otherwise unavailable.
  • heat removal flow path 450 is caused to cease operation, such as by deactivating pumps 210 and 340.
  • fifth pump 470 is operated, volatile fission product 15 will be drawn into first flow pipe 460 and then pumped into second flow pipe 480.
  • the fluid will enter fourth volume 490 that is defined by third fission product reservoir or holding tank 500.
  • Fission product flow path 440 and heat removal flow path 450 may be operated either simultaneously or consecutively, as desired.
  • volatile fission product 15 may remove itself from open-cell pores 50 and travel to volume 90 without assistance of fifth pump 470 by vaporization due to the inherently volatile nature of volatile fission product 15. Accordingly, fission product flow path 440 may be implemented with or without pump 470.
  • Fission product flow path 440 may utilize one or more controllable shut-off valves (not shown) or back- flow prevention valves (also not shown) disposed in flow path 440 and operatively connected to control unit 400 for further isolating fourth volume 490.
  • fuel assembly 510 comprises a generally cylindrical enclosure 515 having enclosure wall 516 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • the fission product removal fluid which has the volatile fission product 15 entrained therein, is drawn from fuel body 40 and into fluid control subassembly 80 by pump 340.
  • Heat exchanger 355 may be provided in pipe 220 to remove heat from the fluid.
  • a potential benefit to using the cylindrical enclosure 515 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • fuel profile is defined herein to mean the geometrical configuration of fissile material, fertile material, and/or neutron moderating material.
  • fuel assembly 520 comprises a generally spherical enclosure 525 having an enclosure wall 526 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • a potential benefit to using the spherical enclosure 525 is that its spherical shape reduces the amount of cladding or enclosure material 20 required.
  • Another potential benefit to using the spherical enclosure 525 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • fuel assembly 530 comprises a generally hemi-spherical enclosure 540 having an enclosure wall 545 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • a potential benefit to using the hemi-spherical enclosure 540 is that it may increase fuel assembly packing densities in well 320 that is defined by vessel 310.
  • Another potential benefit to using the hemi-spherical enclosure 540 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • a twelfth embodiment fuel assembly and system are there shown, generally referred to as 550.
  • fuel assembly 550 comprises a generally disk-shaped enclosure 560 having an enclosure wall 565 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • a potential benefit to using the disk-shaped enclosure 560 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • a thirteenth embodiment fuel assembly and system are there shown, generally referred to as 570.
  • fuel assembly 570 comprises a polygonal-shaped (in transverse cross-section) enclosure 580 having an enclosure wall 585 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • enclosure 580 may have a hexagon shape in transverse cross section.
  • a potential benefit attendant to the hexagonally shaped cross section of enclosure 580 is that more fuel assemblies 570 can be packed into well 320 of vessel 310 than otherwise would be allowed by many other geometric shapes for the fuel assembly.
  • Another potential benefit to using the hexagonally shaped enclosure 580 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • fuel assembly 590 comprises a parallelepiped-shaped enclosure 600 having enclosure walls 605 for enclosing fuel body 40 therein.
  • a potential benefit to using the parallelepiped- shaped enclosure 600 is that it may increase fuel assembly packing densities in well 320 of vessel 310.
  • Another potential benefit to using the parallelepiped-shaped enclosure 600 is its utility in shaping fuel profiles.
  • fuel body 40 may include one or more fuel pellets 620 embedded therein.
  • Fuel pellet 620 may function as a higher density fuel component to increase the effective density of fuel body 40.
  • fluid control subassembly 80 is coupled to a plurality of enclosures 20.
  • an illustrative method 630 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 640.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure 20 for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product at locations corresponding to a bum wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method 630 stops at a block 670.
  • an illustrative method 671 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 672.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 671 stops at a block 676.
  • an illustrative method 677 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 680.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the control unit is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 677 stops at a block 720.
  • an illustrative method 730 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 740.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the control unit is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to neutron population level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 730 stops at a block 790.
  • an illustrative method 800 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 810.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the control unit is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a volatile fission product pressure level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 800 stops at a block 860.
  • an illustrative method 870 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 880.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the control unit is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 870 stops at a block 930.
  • an illustrative method 940 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 950.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly.
  • the control unit is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to an amount of time the nuclear fission reactor is operated.
  • the method 940 stops at a block 1000.
  • an illustrative method 1010 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1020.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid, flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 1010 stops at a block 1060.
  • an illustrative method 1070 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1080.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 1070 stops at a block 1120.
  • an illustrative method 1130 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1140.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 1130 stops at a block 1180.
  • an illustrative method 1190 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1200.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a fissile and fertile material forming the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 1190 stops at a block 1240.
  • an illustrative method 1250 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1260.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 1250 stops at a block 1300.
  • an illustrative method 1310 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1320.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a neutron population level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 1310 stops at a block 1360.
  • an illustrative method 1370 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1380.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control . subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a volatile fission product pressure level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • an illustrative method 1430 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1440.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 1430 stops at a block 1480.
  • an illustrative method 1490 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1500.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to an amount of time the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor is continuously operated.
  • the method 1490 stops at a block 1540.
  • an illustrative method 1550 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1560.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam defining a plurality of pores.
  • the method 1550 stops at a block 1600.
  • an illustrative method 1610 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1620.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided to enclose a nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution.
  • the method 1610 stops at a block 1660.
  • an illustrative method 1670 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1680.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels.
  • the method 1670 stops at a block 1720.
  • an illustrative method 1730 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1740.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining the plurality of channels therebetween.
  • the method 1730 stops at a block 1790.
  • an illustrative method 1800 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1810.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, at least one of the pores being of a predetermined configuration for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time.
  • the method 1800 stops at a block 1850.
  • an illustrative method 1860 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1870.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape within a predetermined response time of between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1,000 seconds.
  • the method 1860 stops at a block 1910.
  • an illustrative method 1920 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1930.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided fuel body having a plurality of pores for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape within a predetermined response time of between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1 ,000 seconds.
  • the method 1920 stops at a block 1970.
  • an illustrative method 1971 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1972.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to sealingly enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical-shaped geometry.
  • the method 1971 stops at a block 1976.
  • an illustrative method 1980 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 1990.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to sealingly enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal-shaped geometry.
  • the method 1980 stops at a block 2030.
  • an illustrative method 2040 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2050.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for acquiring the volatile fission product released by the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 2040 stops at a block 2090.
  • an illustrative method 2100 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2110.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 2100 stops at a block 2150.
  • an illustrative method 2160 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2170.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product.
  • the method 2160 stops at a block 2210.
  • an illustrative method 2220 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2230.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a bum wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a position of the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 2220 stops at a block 2270.
  • an illustrative method 2280 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2290.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 2280 stops at a block 2330.
  • an illustrative method 2340 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2350.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • an inlet subassembly is provided to supply the fission product removal fluid to the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2340 stops at a block 2400.
  • an illustrative method 2410 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2420.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • an inlet subassembly is provided to remove the fission product removal fluid from the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2410 stops at a block 2470.
  • an illustrative method 2480 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2490.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • a reservoir is provided to receive the fission product removal fluid from. The method 2480 stops at a block 2540. Referring to Fig. 21AH, an illustrative method 2550 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2560.
  • an enclosure that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • a reservoir is coupled to supply the fission product removal fluid. The method 2550 stops at a block 2610.
  • an illustrative method 2620 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2630.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a gas fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel.
  • the method 2620 stops at a block 2670.
  • an illustrative method 2680 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2690.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate a liquid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 2680 stops at a block 2730.
  • an illustrative method 2740 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2750.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the method comprises coupling a pump.
  • the method 2740 stops at a block 2790.
  • an illustrative method 2800 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2810.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a pump is integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly to circulate a fluid between the fluid control subassembly and the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 2800 stops at a block 2850.
  • an illustrative method 2860 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2870.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the method comprises coupling a valve.
  • the method 2860 stops at a block 2910.
  • an illustrative method 2920 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2930.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a valve is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly to control flow of a fluid between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 2920 stops at a block 2970.
  • an illustrative method 2980 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 2990.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a valve is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly to control flow of a fluid between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • a back-flow prevention valve is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 2980 stops at a block 3040.
  • an illustrative method 3050 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3060.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the method comprises coupling a controllably breakable barrier.
  • the method 3050 stops at a block 3100.
  • an illustrative method 3110 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3120.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 3110 stops at block 3160.
  • an illustrative method 3170 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3180.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • a barrier breakable at a predetermined pressure is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 3170 stops at a block 3230.
  • an illustrative method 3240 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3250.
  • an enclosure is provided that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure for removal of at least a portion of a volatile fission product as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor proximate locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • a barrier breakable by operator action is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 3240 stops at a block 3300.
  • an illustrative method 3310 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3320.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method 3310 stops at a block 3350.
  • an illustrative method 3360 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3370.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control operation of the fluid control subassembly. The method 3360 stops at a block 3410.
  • an illustrative method 3420 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3430.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose the nuclear fuel body. The method 3420 stops at a block 3470.
  • an illustrative method 3480 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3490.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3480 stops at a block 3530.
  • an illustrative method 3540 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3550.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a fertile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3540 stops at a block 3590.
  • an illustrative method 3600 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3610.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a mixture of fissile and fertile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3600 stops at a block 3650.
  • an illustrative method 3660 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3670.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a position of the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 3660 stops at a block 3710.
  • an illustrative method 3720 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3730.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 3720 stops at a block 3770.
  • an illustrative method 3780 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3790.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a neutron population level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 3780 stops at a block 3830.
  • an illustrative method 3840 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3850.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a volatile fission product pressure level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 3840 stops at a block 3890.
  • an illustrative method 3900 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3910.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 3900 stops at a block 3950.
  • an illustrative method 3960 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 3970.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to an amount of time the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor is operated.
  • the method 3960 stops at a block 4010.
  • an illustrative method 4020 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4030.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product. The method 4020 stops at a block 4070.
  • an illustrative method 4080 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4090.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 4080 stops at a block 4130.
  • an illustrative method 4140 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4150.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • an inlet subassembly is provided to supply the fission product removal fluid to the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 4140 stops at a block 4190.
  • an illustrative method 4200 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4210.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • an outlet subassembly is provided to remove the fission product removal fluid from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 4200 stops at a block 4260.
  • an illustrative method 4270 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4280.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 4270 stops at a block 4320.
  • an illustrative method 4330 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4340.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the heat removal fluid. The method 4330 stops at a block 4390.
  • an illustrative method 4400 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4410.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to supply the heat removal fluid. The method 4400 stops at a block 4460.
  • an illustrative method 4470 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4480.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a heat sink is coupled to the fluid control subassembly, so that the heat sink is in heat transfer communication with the heat removal fluid to remove heat from the heat removal fluid. The method 4470 stops at a block 4530.
  • an illustrative method 4540 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4550.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly that is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body is coupled so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a heat exchanger is coupled to the fluid control subassembly, so that the heat exchanger is in heat transfer communication with the heat removal fluid to remove heat from the heat removal fluid. The method 4540 stops at a block 4600.
  • an illustrative method 4610 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4620.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to simultaneously circulate a fission product removal fluid and a heat removal fluid.
  • the method 4610 stops at a block 4660.
  • an illustrative method 4670 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4680.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so as to sequentially circulate a fission product removal fluid and a heat removal fluid.
  • the method 4670 stops at a block 4720.
  • an illustrative method 4730 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4740.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a pump is integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly to pump a fluid from the fluid control subassembly to the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 4730 stops at a block 4780.
  • an illustrative method 4790 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4800.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the method comprises coupling a pump.
  • the method 4790 stops at a block 4840.
  • an illustrative method 4850 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4860.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a fission product reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product.
  • the method 4850 stops at a block 4900.
  • an illustrative method 4910 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4920.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a plurality of first components are coupled so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 4910 stops at a block 4960.
  • an illustrative method 4970 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 4980.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a plurality of first components are coupled so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a plurality of second components are coupled so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 4970 stops at a block 5030.
  • an illustrative method 5040 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5050.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a plurality of first components are coupled so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a plurality of second components are coupled so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method comprises operatively coupling the first components and the second components, so that at least one of the first components and at least one of the second components are identical. The method 5040 stops at a block 5110.
  • an illustrative method 5120 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5130.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the method comprises coupling a dual-purpose circuit to selectively remove the volatile fission product and heat from the nuclear fuel.
  • the method 5120 stops at a block 5170.
  • an illustrative method 5180 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5190.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a gas through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 5180 stops at a block 5230.
  • an illustrative method 5240 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5250.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the fluid control subassembly is coupled so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a liquid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 5240 stops at a block 5290.
  • an illustrative method 5300 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5310.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam defining the plurality of pores.
  • the method 5300 stops at a block 5350.
  • an illustrative method 5360 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5370.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 5360 stops at a block 5410.
  • an illustrative method 5420 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5430.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining the plurality of channels therebetween.
  • the method 5420 stops at a block 5480.
  • an illustrative method 5490 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5500.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body defining the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution.
  • the method 5490 stops at a block 5540.
  • an illustrative method 5550 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5560.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores for acquiring the volatile fission product released by the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. The method 5550 stops at a block 5600.
  • an illustrative method 5610 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5620.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores, one or more of the plurality of pores being of a predetermined configuration to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time.
  • the method 5610 stops at a block 5660.
  • an illustrative method 5670 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5680.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time of between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1,000 seconds.
  • the method 5670 stops at a block 5720.
  • an illustrative method 5730 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5740.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time of between approximately one second and approximately 10,000 seconds.
  • the method 5730 stops at a block 5780.
  • an illustrative method 5790 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5800.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 5790 stops at a block 5840.
  • an illustrative method 5850 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5860.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to sealingly enclose a nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical-shaped geometry. The method 5850 stops at a block 5900.
  • an illustrative method 5910 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5920.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the enclosure is provided so as to sealingly enclose a nuclear fuel body having a polygonal-shaped geometry. The method 5910 stops at a block 5960.
  • an illustrative method 5970 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 5980.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the method comprises coupling a valve.
  • the method 5970 stops at a block 6020.
  • an illustrative method 6030 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6040.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a valve is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly to control flow of a fluid between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 6030 stops at a block 6080.
  • an illustrative method 6090 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6100.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a valve is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly to control flow of a fluid between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method comprises interposing a back-flow prevention valve. The method 6090 stops at a block 6150.
  • an illustrative method 6160 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6170.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • the method comprises coupling a controllably breakable barrier.
  • the method 6160 stops at a block 6210.
  • an illustrative method 6220 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6230.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly. The method 6220 stops at a block 6270.
  • an illustrative method 6280 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6290.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method comprises interposing a controllably breakable barrier breakable at a predetermined pressure.
  • the method 6280 stops at a block 6340.
  • an illustrative method 6350 for assembling the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6360.
  • an enclosure is provided to enclose a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the enclosure to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as previously mentioned.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method comprises interposing a controllably breakable barrier breakable by operator action. The method 6350 stops at a block 6410.
  • an illustrative method for removal of a volatile fission product at a plurality of locations corresponding to a burn wave.
  • the illustrative method 6420 for removal of the volatile fission product starts at a block 6430.
  • removal of a volatile fission product is controlled at a plurality of locations corresponding to a burn wave of a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method 6420 stops at a block 6450.
  • Figs. 23 A - 23CK illustrative methods are provided for operating the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system.
  • an illustrative method 6460 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6470.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method 6460 stops at a block 6500.
  • an illustrative method 6510 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6520.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 6510 stops at a block 6560.
  • an illustrative method 6570 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6580.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 6570 stops at a block 6630.
  • an illustrative method 6640 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6650.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a neutron population level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 6640 stops at a block 6700.
  • an illustrative method 6710 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6720.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a volatile fission product pressure level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 6710 stops at a block 6770.
  • an illustrative method 6780 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6790.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 6780 stops at a block 6840.
  • an illustrative method 6850 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6860.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to an amount of time the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor is operated.
  • the method 6850 stops at a block 6910.
  • an illustrative method 6920 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6930.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 6920 stops at a block 6970.
  • an illustrative method 6980 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 6990.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a fissile material forming the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 6980 stops at a block 7030.
  • an illustrative method 7040 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7050.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a fertile material forming the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 7040 stops at a block 7090.
  • an illustrative method 7100 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7110.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a mixture of fissile and fertile material forming the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 7100 stops at a block 7150.
  • an illustrative method 7160 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7170.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a position of the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 7160 stops at a block 7210.
  • an illustrative method 7220 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7230.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam defining a plurality of pores.
  • the method 7220 stops at a block 7270.
  • an illustrative method 7280 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7290.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution.
  • the method 7280 stops at a block 7330.
  • an illustrative method 7340 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7350.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 7340 stops at a block 7390.
  • an illustrative method 7400 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7410.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining the plurality of channels therebetween.
  • the method 7400 stops at a block 7460.
  • an illustrative method 7470 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7480.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, at least one of the pores being of a predetermined configuration for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time.
  • the method 7470 stops at a block 7520.
  • an illustrative method 7530 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7540.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape within a predetermined response time of between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1,000 seconds.
  • the method 7530 stops at a block 7580.
  • an illustrative method 7590 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7600.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape within a predetermined response time of between approximately one second and approximately 10,000 seconds.
  • the method 7590 stops at a block 7640.
  • an illustrative method 7650 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7660.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to sealingly enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical-shaped geometry. The method 7650 stops at a block 7700.
  • an illustrative method 7710 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7720.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to sealingly enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal-shaped geometry. The method 7710 stops at a block 7760.
  • an illustrative method 7770 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7780.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for acquiring the volatile fission product released by the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 7770 stops at a block 7820.
  • an illustrative method 7830 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7840.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 7830 stops at a block 7880.
  • an illustrative method 7890 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7900.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the volatile fission product is received into a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 7890 stops at a block 7940.
  • an illustrative method 7950 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 7960.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 7950 stops at a block 8000.
  • an illustrative method 8010 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8020.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the fission product removal fluid is supplied to the porous nuclear fuel body by using an inlet subassembly. The method 8010 stops at a block 8070.
  • an illustrative method 8080 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8090.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the fission product removal fluid is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body by using an outlet subassembly. The method 8080 stops at a block 8140.
  • an illustrative method 8150 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8160.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the fission product removal fluid is received into a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 8150 stops at a block 8210.
  • an illustrative method 8220 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8230.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the fission product removal fluid is supplied from a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 8220 stops at a block 8280. Referring to Fig. 23AD, an illustrative method 8290 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8300.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a gas through the pores of the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 8290 stops at a block 8340.
  • an illustrative method 8350 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8360.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a liquid through the porous nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 8350 stops at a block 8400.
  • an illustrative method 8410 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8420.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn ⁇ wave.
  • the method comprises operating a pump.
  • an illustrative method 8470 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8480.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • a fluid is circulated between the fluid control subassembly and the porous nuclear fuel body by operating a pump integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 8470 stops at a block 8520.
  • an illustrative method 8530 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8540.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method comprises operating a valve.
  • the method 8530 stops at a block 8580.
  • an illustrative method 8590 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8600.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a block 8630 flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a valve interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 8590 stops at a block 8640.
  • an illustrative method 8650 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8660.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a valve interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a back-flow prevention valve. The method 8650 stops at a block 8710.
  • an illustrative method 8720 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8730.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method comprises operating a controllably breakable barrier. The method 8720 stops at a block 8770.
  • an illustrative method 8780 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8790.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly is used. The method 8780 stops at a block 8830.
  • an illustrative method 8840 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8850.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly is used.
  • a barrier breakable at a predetermined pressure is used. The method 8840 stops at a block 8900.
  • an illustrative method 8910 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8920.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a porous nuclear fuel body having the volatile fission product therein.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly is used.
  • a barrier breakable by operator action is used. The method 8910 stops at a block 8970.
  • an illustrative method 8980 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 8990.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method 8980 stops at a block 9020.
  • an illustrative method 9030 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9040.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 9030 stops at a block 9080.
  • an illustrative method 9090 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9100.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose the nuclear fuel body. The method 9090 stops at a block 9140.
  • an illustrative method 9150 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9160.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 9150 stops at a block 9200.
  • an illustrative method 9210 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9220.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a fertile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 9210 stops at a block 9260.
  • an illustrative method 9270 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9280.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a mixture of fissile and fertile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 9270 stops at a block 9320.
  • an illustrative method 9330 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9340.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a position of the bum wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 9330 stops at a block 9380.
  • an illustrative method 9390 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9400.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 9390 stops at a block 9440.
  • an illustrative method 9450 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9460.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a neutron population level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 9450 stops at a block 9500.
  • an illustrative method 9510 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9520.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a volatile fission product pressure level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 9510 stops at a block 9560.
  • an illustrative method 9570 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9580.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 9570 stops at a block 9620.
  • an illustrative method 9630 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9640.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so as to permit a controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to an amount of time the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor is operated.
  • the method 9630 stops at a block 9680.
  • an illustrative method 9690 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9700.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations
  • the volatile fission product is received into a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 9690 stops at a block 9740.
  • an illustrative method 9750 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9760.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 9750 stops at a block 9800.
  • an illustrative method 9810 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9820.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid comprises supplying the fission product removal fluid to the pores of the nuclear fuel body using an inlet subassembly.
  • the method 9810 stops at a block 9860.
  • an illustrative method 9870 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9880.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling-wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a fission product removal fluid comprises removing the fission product removal fluid from the pores of the nuclear fuel body using an outlet subassembly.
  • the method 9870 stops at a block 9920.
  • an illustrative method 9930 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 9940.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 9930 stops at a block 9980.
  • an illustrative method 9990 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10000.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the heat removal fluid is received into a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 9990 stops at a block 10050.
  • an illustrative method 10060 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10070.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the heat removal fluid is supplied from a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 10060 stops at a block 10120.
  • an illustrative method 10130 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10140.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • heat is removed from the heat removal fluid by using a heat sink coupled to the fluid control subassembly, so that the heat sink is in heat transfer communication with the heat removal fluid.
  • the method 10130 stops at a block 10190.
  • an illustrative method 10200 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10210.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used so that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • heat is removed from the heat removal fluid by using a heat exchanger coupled to the fluid control subassembly, so that the heat exchanger is in heat transfer communication with the heat removal fluid.
  • the method 10200 stops at a block 10260.
  • an illustrative method 10270 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10280.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to simultaneously circulate a fission product removal fluid and a heat removal fluid. The method 10270 stops at a block 10311.
  • an illustrative method 10312 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10313.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to sequentially circulate a fission product removal fluid and a heat removal fluid. The method 10312 stops at a block 10317.
  • an illustrative method 10318 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10319.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method comprises operating a pump.
  • the method 10318 stops at a block 10350.
  • an illustrative method 10360 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10370.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a fluid is pumped between the fluid control subassembly and the pores of the nuclear fuel body by operating a pump integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly.
  • the method 10360 stops at a block 10410.
  • an illustrative method 10420 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10430.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply a fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is acquired by the pores of the nuclear fuel body and is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while said fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 10420 stops at a block 10470.
  • an illustrative method 10480 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10490.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply a fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is acquired by the pores of the nuclear fuel body and is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while said fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a plurality of second components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply a heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 10480 stops at a block 10540.
  • an illustrative method 10550 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10560.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply a fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the volatile fission product is acquired by the pores of the nuclear fuel body and is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body while said fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • a plurality of second components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply a heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, so as to enable the fluid control subassembly to circulate a heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, whereby at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the first components and the second components are used so that at least one of the first components and at least one of the second components are identical.
  • the method 10550 stops at a block 10620.
  • an illustrative method 10630 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10640.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a dual-purpose circuit coupled to the enclosure is used to selectively remove the volatile fission product and heat from the nuclear fuel body. The method 10630 stops at a block 10680.
  • an illustrative method 10690 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10700.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a gas through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 10690 stops at a block 10740.
  • an illustrative method 10750 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10760.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate a liquid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body.
  • the method 10750 stops at a block 10800. Referring to Fig.
  • an illustrative method 10810 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10820.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam defining the plurality of pores. The method 10810 stops at a block 10860.
  • an illustrative method 10870 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10880.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 10870 stops at a block 10920.
  • an illustrative method 10930 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 10940.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining the plurality of channels therebetween. The method 10930 stops at a block 10990.
  • an illustrative method 11000 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11010.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body defining the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution. The method 11000 stops at a block 11050.
  • an illustrative method 11060 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11070.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores for acquiring the volatile fission product released by the burn wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor.
  • the method 11060 stops at a block 11110.
  • an illustrative method 11120 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11130.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores, one or more of the plurality of pores being of a predetermined configuration to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time.
  • the method 11120 stops at a block 11170.
  • an illustrative method 11180 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11190.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the bum wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time of between approximately 10 seconds and approximately 1,000 seconds.
  • the method 11180 stops at a block 11230.
  • an illustrative method 11240 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11250.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time of between approximately one second and approximately 10,000 seconds.
  • the method 11240 stops at a block 11290.
  • an illustrative method 11300 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11310.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to enclose a nuclear fuel body having the plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the nuclear fuel body. The method 11300 stops at a block 11350.
  • an illustrative method 11360 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11370.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to sealingly enclose a nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical- shaped geometry.
  • the method 11360 stops at a block 11410. Referring to Fig.
  • an illustrative method 11420 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11430.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the enclosure is used so as to sealingly enclose a nuclear fuel body having a polygonal- shaped geometry. The method 11420 stops at a block 11470.
  • an illustrative method 11480 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11490.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method comprises operating a valve.
  • the method 11480 stops at a block 11530.
  • an illustrative method 11540 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11550.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a valve interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly. The method 11540 stops at a block 11590.
  • an illustrative method 11600 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11610.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a valve interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly.
  • flow of a fluid is controlled between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly by operating a back-flow prevention valve.
  • the method 11600 stops at a block 11660.
  • an illustrative method 11670 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11680.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is used. The method 11670 stops at a block 11720.
  • an illustrative method 11730 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11740.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly. The method 11730 stops at a block 11780.
  • an illustrative method 11790 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11800.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • a controllably breakable barrier is interposed between the enclosure and the fluid control subassembly. The method 11790 stops at a block 11840.
  • an illustrative method 11850 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly starts at a block 11860.
  • an enclosure is used that encloses a heat-generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body defining a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores.
  • a fluid control subassembly coupled to the enclosure is used to control removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to control removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor proximate to the plurality of locations corresponding to the burn wave.
  • the method comprises interposing a barrier breakable by operator action. The method 11850 stops at a block 11900.
  • each of the embodiments of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly may be disposed in a thermal neutron reactor, a fast neutron reactor, a neutron breeder reactor or a fast neutron breeder reactor.
  • each of the embodiments of the fuel assembly is versatile enough to be beneficially used in various nuclear reactor designs.
  • nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Plasma & Fusion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Monitoring And Testing Of Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
  • Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive, et son procédé correspondant. L'ensemble combustible comprend une enceinte conçue pour renfermer un corps combustible nucléaire poreux comprenant le produit de fission volatil. Un sous-ensemble de régulation de fluide est couplé à l'enceinte et adapté pour contrôler l'élimination d'au moins une partie du produit de fission volatil du corps combustible nucléaire poreux. Le sous-ensemble de régulation de fluide peut faire circuler un fluide d'élimination de chaleur dans le corps combustible nucléaire poreux afin d'éliminer la chaleur générée par le corps combustible nucléaire.
EP10772356A 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant Withdrawn EP2419903A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/386,524 US9443623B2 (en) 2009-04-16 2009-04-16 Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
US12/459,857 US9159461B2 (en) 2009-04-16 2009-07-07 Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product
US12/459,856 US9659673B2 (en) 2009-04-16 2009-07-07 Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
US12/459,855 US9704604B2 (en) 2009-04-16 2009-07-07 Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
PCT/US2010/001122 WO2010129009A2 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2419903A2 true EP2419903A2 (fr) 2012-02-22

Family

ID=43050322

Family Applications (4)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10775181.0A Withdrawn EP2419906A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Assemblage combustible pour réacteur de fission nucléaire et système conçu pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de chaleur dégagée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur de fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant
EP10772359.5A Ceased EP2419904A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Ensemble et système pour combustible de réacteur de fission nucléaire conçus pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de chaleur dégagée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur de fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant
EP10772357.9A Withdrawn EP2419905A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion
EP10772356A Withdrawn EP2419903A2 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant

Family Applications Before (3)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP10775181.0A Withdrawn EP2419906A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Assemblage combustible pour réacteur de fission nucléaire et système conçu pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de chaleur dégagée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur de fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant
EP10772359.5A Ceased EP2419904A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Ensemble et système pour combustible de réacteur de fission nucléaire conçus pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de chaleur dégagée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur de fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant
EP10772357.9A Withdrawn EP2419905A4 (fr) 2009-04-16 2010-04-16 Élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (4) EP2419906A4 (fr)
JP (4) JP2012524264A (fr)
KR (4) KR20120018768A (fr)
CN (3) CN102460590B (fr)
RU (4) RU2530751C2 (fr)
WO (4) WO2010129012A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9424376B2 (en) 2011-11-18 2016-08-23 Terrapower, Llc Enhanced neutronics systems
US10163534B2 (en) 2014-01-27 2018-12-25 Terrapower, Llc Modeling for fuel element deformation
CN107210069B (zh) * 2014-12-31 2020-07-24 泰拉能源公司 通量移位的反应性控制系统
RU179703U1 (ru) * 2017-03-28 2018-05-25 Андрей Александрович Виноградов Шаровая тепловыделяющая сборка ядерного реактора
CN110598303B (zh) * 2019-09-06 2021-01-15 西安交通大学 建立堵流条件下快中子反应堆燃料组件网格模型的方法
KR102395651B1 (ko) 2021-08-25 2022-05-09 주식회사 덴오믹스 구강질환 유발 세균 검출용 조성물 내지 이의 용도

Family Cites Families (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
NL112156C (fr) * 1956-08-07
US3039948A (en) * 1958-03-14 1962-06-19 Krucoff Darwin Nuclear reactor with powdered fuel
NL289486A (fr) * 1963-02-26
US3322644A (en) * 1964-07-22 1967-05-30 Physies Internat Company Core element for a breeder nuclear reactor
FR1552306A (fr) * 1966-12-23 1969-01-03
US3459635A (en) * 1966-12-29 1969-08-05 Combustion Eng Containment pressure reduction system and radioactivity removal system for nuclear reactor installations
US3573168A (en) * 1967-05-16 1971-03-30 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Nuclear fuel venting elements for the discharge of fission gases
US3976542A (en) * 1969-10-03 1976-08-24 General Atomic Company Fuel element having variable orifice
DE2049573A1 (de) * 1970-10-09 1972-06-15 Nukem Gmbh Kernbrennstoff aus Uran-Plutonium-Karbid bzw. Uran-Plutonium-Nitrid
US4012490A (en) * 1972-07-25 1977-03-15 Airco, Inc. Removing radioactive noble gases from nuclear process off-gases
JPS5310237B2 (fr) * 1973-02-21 1978-04-12
US4330367A (en) * 1973-05-22 1982-05-18 Combustion Engineering, Inc. System and process for the control of a nuclear power system
US3964964A (en) * 1974-10-15 1976-06-22 The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Energy Research And Development Administration Identification of failed fuel element
US4093429A (en) * 1975-12-19 1978-06-06 General Electric Company Gas separation system
US4285891A (en) 1979-12-31 1981-08-25 Exxon Nuclear, Inc. Method of removing fission gases from irradiated fuel
GB2163888B (en) * 1984-08-30 1988-06-22 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Fission gas plenum chamber for nuclear fuel element sub-assembly
FR2683373B1 (fr) 1991-10-31 1994-03-04 Pechiney Uranium Elements combustibles nucleaires comportant un piege a produits de fission a base d'oxyde.
US6233298B1 (en) * 1999-01-29 2001-05-15 Adna Corporation Apparatus for transmutation of nuclear reactor waste
US20050069075A1 (en) * 2003-06-04 2005-03-31 D.B.I. Century Fuels And Aerospace Services, Inc. Reactor tray vertical geometry with vitrified waste control
US7846499B2 (en) * 2004-12-30 2010-12-07 Asm International N.V. Method of pulsing vapor precursors in an ALD reactor
CN101090006B (zh) * 2006-06-16 2010-11-17 中国核动力研究设计院 板翅型核燃料组件
US9734922B2 (en) * 2006-11-28 2017-08-15 Terrapower, Llc System and method for operating a modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor
US8971474B2 (en) * 2006-11-28 2015-03-03 Terrapower, Llc Automated nuclear power reactor for long-term operation
US9275759B2 (en) * 2006-11-28 2016-03-01 Terrapower, Llc Modular nuclear fission reactor
US7860207B2 (en) 2006-11-28 2010-12-28 The Invention Science Fund I, Llc Method and system for providing fuel in a nuclear reactor
US20080123797A1 (en) * 2006-11-28 2008-05-29 Searete Llc, A Limited Liability Corporation Of The State Of Delaware Automated nuclear power reactor for long-term operation
RU2461085C2 (ru) * 2007-09-26 2012-09-10 Дель Нова Вис С.Р.Л. Ядерный реактор, в частности, бассейнового типа с топливными элементами новой концепции
US9721679B2 (en) * 2008-04-08 2017-08-01 Terrapower, Llc Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly adapted to permit expansion of the nuclear fuel contained therein

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2010129009A3 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP2419905A1 (fr) 2012-02-22
RU2011143969A (ru) 2013-05-27
WO2010129009A3 (fr) 2011-01-27
CN102460592B (zh) 2015-05-06
KR101856234B1 (ko) 2018-05-09
CN102460593B (zh) 2016-08-24
EP2419906A4 (fr) 2013-11-20
RU2011143978A (ru) 2013-05-27
JP2012524263A (ja) 2012-10-11
EP2419905A4 (fr) 2013-10-30
CN102460590B (zh) 2016-01-13
KR20120011044A (ko) 2012-02-06
EP2419904A2 (fr) 2012-02-22
JP2012524264A (ja) 2012-10-11
RU2537505C2 (ru) 2015-01-10
KR101700464B1 (ko) 2017-01-26
EP2419904A4 (fr) 2013-11-13
WO2010132085A3 (fr) 2011-02-24
CN102460592A (zh) 2012-05-16
CN102460593A (zh) 2012-05-16
KR20120018161A (ko) 2012-02-29
WO2010129012A2 (fr) 2010-11-11
RU2537853C2 (ru) 2015-01-10
WO2010129012A3 (fr) 2010-12-29
RU2011143979A (ru) 2013-05-27
WO2010129009A2 (fr) 2010-11-11
JP2012524265A (ja) 2012-10-11
JP2012524266A (ja) 2012-10-11
CN102460590A (zh) 2012-05-16
RU2536181C2 (ru) 2014-12-20
RU2011143970A (ru) 2013-05-27
KR20120018768A (ko) 2012-03-05
WO2010129010A1 (fr) 2010-11-11
KR20110138285A (ko) 2011-12-26
RU2530751C2 (ru) 2014-10-10
EP2419906A2 (fr) 2012-02-22
CN102460589A (zh) 2012-05-16
WO2010132085A2 (fr) 2010-11-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9721679B2 (en) Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly adapted to permit expansion of the nuclear fuel contained therein
US20140023172A1 (en) Molten salt nuclear reactor
US9653187B2 (en) Standing wave nuclear fission reactor and methods
WO2010129009A2 (fr) Système et ensemble combustible de réacteur à fission nucléaire configuré pour l'élimination contrôlée d'un produit de fission volatil et de la chaleur libérée par une onde de combustion dans un réacteur à fission nucléaire à onde progressive et procédé correspondant
US9443623B2 (en) Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
US9704604B2 (en) Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
US9659673B2 (en) Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product and heat released by a burn wave in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor and method for same
US9159461B2 (en) Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of a volatile fission product
JP2009085650A (ja) 高速炉の炉心構成要素，炉心燃料集合体、及び炉心並びに原子炉構造
Valentin et al. Pre-design of an AmBB pin loaded with 10% of americium
Poston A 100‐kWt NaK‐Cooled Space Reactor Concept for an Early‐Flight Mission
Coleman Heat exchanger with auxiliary cooling system
WO2012060880A2 (fr) Réacteur de fission nucléaires à ondes stationnaires et méthodes

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20111006

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK SM TR

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: WHITMER, CHARLES

Inventor name: ZIMMERMAN, GEORGE B.

Inventor name: WOOD, VICTORIA Y.H.

Inventor name: ISHIKAWA, MURIEL Y.

Inventor name: GILLELAND, JOHN ROGERS

Inventor name: HYDE, RODERICK A.

Inventor name: WOOD, JR.,LOWELL L.

Inventor name: AHLFELD, CHARLES E.

Inventor name: MCALEES, DAVID G.

Inventor name: TEGREENE, CLARENCE T.

Inventor name: MYHRVOLD, NATHAN P.

Inventor name: WEAVER, THOMAS ALLAN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN

18W Application withdrawn

Effective date: 20120517