Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core mounted within a volume of the reactor vessel. The reactor core includes one or more nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction. The nuclear power system further includes a containment vessel sized to enclose the reactor vessel such that an open volume is defined between the containment vessel and the reactor vessel. A boron injection system is positioned in the open volume of the containment vessel and includes an amount of boron sufficient to stop the nuclear fission reaction or maintain the nuclear fission reaction at a sub-critical state. The boron injection system is positioned to deliver the amount of boron into the open volume.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core mounted, the reactor core including nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction; a riser positioned above the reactor core; a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the volume below the reactor core, through the reactor core, within the riser, and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel back to the bottom portion of the volume; a primary coolant that circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the received heat to generate electric power in a power generation system fluidly or thermally coupled to the primary coolant flow path; and a control system communicably coupled to the power generation system and configured to control a power output of the nuclear fission reaction independent of any control rod assemblies during the normal operation.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core that includes nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction; a riser positioned above the reactor core; a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the volume through the reactor core and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel; a primary coolant that circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the heat to generate electric power in a power generation system; and a control rod assembly system positioned in the reactor vessel and configured to position control rods in only two discrete positions.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core mounted therein. The reactor core includes nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction. The reaction vessel does not include any control rod assemblies therein. The nuclear power system further includes a riser positioned above the reactor core, a primary coolant flow path, a primary coolant that circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the received heat to generate electric power in a power generation, and a control system communicably coupled to the power generation system and configured to control a power output of the nuclear fission reaction independent of any control rod assemblies.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core that includes nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction. A representative nuclear power system further includes a riser positioned above the reactor core and a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the reactor vessel, through the reactor core, and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel. A primary coolant circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the heat to a power generation system configured to generate electric power. The nuclear power system further includes a control rod assembly system positioned in the reactor vessel and configured to position control rods in only two discrete positions.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core that includes nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction; a riser positioned above the reactor core; a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the volume through the reactor core and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel; a primary coolant that circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the heat to generate electric power in a power generation system; and a control rod assembly system positioned in the reactor vessel and configured to position control rods in only two discrete positions.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core mounted within a volume of the reactor vessel, the reactor core including one or more nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction; a containment vessel sized to enclose the reactor vessel such that an open volume is defined between the containment vessel and the reactor vessel; and a boron injection system positioned in the open volume of the containment vessel and including an amount of boron sufficient to stop the nuclear fission reaction or maintain the nuclear fission reaction at a sub-critical state.

Abstract: A nuclear power system includes a reactor vessel that includes a reactor core mounted, the reactor core including nuclear fuel assemblies configured to generate a nuclear fission reaction; a riser positioned above the reactor core; a primary coolant flow path that extends from a bottom portion of the volume below the reactor core, through the reactor core, within the riser, and through an annulus between the riser and the reactor vessel back to the bottom portion of the volume; a primary coolant that circulates through the primary coolant flow path to receive heat from the nuclear fission reaction and release the received heat to generate electric power in a power generation system fluidly or thermally coupled to the primary coolant flow path; and a control system communicably coupled to the power generation system and configured to control a power output of the nuclear fission reaction independent of any control rod assemblies during the normal operation.