Enhanced graphite neutron reflector with beryllium oxide inclusions
A nuclear reactor is disclosed including a reactor core and a reflector assembly surrounding the reactor core. The reflector assembly includes a stationary reflector component including a graphite support structure comprising a plurality of channels defined therein and a plurality of beryllium-oxide pins positioned in the channels.
1. A nuclear reactor, comprising:
a reactor core; and
a reflector assembly surrounding the reactor core, wherein the reflector assembly comprises:
a stationary reflector component stationary during operation of the nuclear reactor, wherein the stationary reflector component comprises:
a graphite support structure defining a plurality of channels; and
a beryllium-oxide pin positioned in each of the channels, wherein each beryllium-oxide pin is supported by and removable from the respective channel; and
a movable reflector component movable during operation of the nuclear reactor, wherein the movable reflector component comprises a plurality of control drums rotatable relative to the stationary reflector component.
2. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein each of the control drums comprises a reflector portion and an absorber portion, and wherein the reflector portion comprises beryllium-oxide.
3. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , further comprising a reactor core housing, wherein the reactor core is positioned within the reactor core housing, and wherein the reactor core housing comprises beryllium-oxide.
4. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein the graphite support structure comprises a radial thickness of about 0.3 meters to about 1.0 meters.
5. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of channels defines a circular shape comprising a diameter, and wherein the diameter is about 0.005 meters to about 0.05 meters.
6. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of channels comprises a pitch, and wherein the pitch is about 0.013 meters to about 0.07 meters.
7. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of channels are spaced apart from each other by about 0.001 meters to about 0.06 meters.
8. The nuclear reactor of claim 1 , wherein the graphite support structure is an assembly comprised of a plurality of graphite support structures positioned to provide continuous neutronic reflection.
9. A reflector assembly usable with a nuclear reactor comprising a reactor core, wherein the reflector assembly is configured to surround the reactor core, and wherein the reflector assembly comprises:
a stationary reflector portion stationary during operation of the nuclear reactor, wherein the stationary reflector portion comprises:
a graphite support structure defining a plurality of channels; and
a beryllium-oxide inclusion positioned in each of the channels, wherein each beryllium-oxide inclusion is supported by and removable from the respective channel; and
a movable reflector portion movable during operation of the nuclear reactor, wherein the movable reflector portion comprises a plurality of control drums rotatable relative to the graphite support structure.
10. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the control drums comprises a reflector portion and an absorber portion, and wherein the reflector portion comprises beryllium-oxide.
11. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein the graphite support structure comprises a radial thickness of about 0.3 meters to about 1.0 meters.
12. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of channels defines a circular shape comprising a diameter, and wherein the diameter is about 0.005 meters to about 0.05 meters.
13. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of channels comprises a pitch, and wherein the pitch is about 0.013 meters to about 0.07 meters.
14. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of channels are spaced apart from each other by about 0.001 meters to about 0.06 meters.
15. The reflector assembly of claim 9 , wherein the graphite support structure is an assembly comprised of a plurality of graphite support structures positioned to provide continuous neutronic reflection.
16. A reflector assembly usable with a nuclear reactor comprising a reactor core, wherein the reflector assembly is configured to surround the reactor core, and wherein the reflector assembly comprises:
a graphite support structure defining a channel;
a beryllium-oxide pin positioned in the channel, wherein the beryllium-oxide pin is supported by and removable from the channel, and wherein the beryllium-oxide pin is stationary during operation of the nuclear reactor; and
a control drum rotatable relative to the graphite support structure and the beryllium-oxide pin during operation of the nuclear reactor.
17. The reflector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the control drum comprises a reflector portion and an absorber portion, and wherein the reflector portion comprises beryllium-oxide.
18. The reflector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the channel defines a circular shape comprising a diameter, and wherein the diameter is about 0.005 meters to about 0.05 meters.
19. The reflector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the channel comprises a pitch, and wherein the pitch is about 0.013 meters to about 0.07 meters.
20. The reflector assembly of claim 16 , wherein the graphite support structure is an assembly comprised of a plurality of graphite support structures positioned to provide continuous neutronic reflection.