Abstract: In a light water reactor system using the thorium-232 -- uranium-233 fuel system in a seed-blanket modular core configuration having the modules arranged in a symmetrical array surrounded by a reflector blanket region, the seed regions are disposed for a longitudinal movement between the fixed or stationary blanket region which surrounds each seed region. Control of the reactor is obtained by moving the inner seed region thus changing the geometry of the reactor, and thereby changing the leakage of neutrons from the relatively small seed region into the blanket region.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 16, 1974
Date of Patent:
May 18, 1976
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the United States Energy Research and Development Administration
Inventors:
William L. Fauth, Jr., Daniel S. Jones, George J. Kolsun, John G. Erbes, John J. Brennan, James A. Weissburg, John E. Sharbaugh