Abstract: A fuel assembly (1) comprising a plurality of elongated elements (3) filled with nuclear fuel and at least one component (5, 6, 7) for retaining the elongated elements (3), wherein the retaining component (5, 6, 7) is completely or partly made of a ceramic material.

Abstract: A spacer including a plurality of cells to retain and mutually fix parallel, elongated elements, extending through the cells, in a bundle in a fuel assembly for a nuclear reactor where a coolant is adapted to flow from below and upwards. Between the cells, secondary channels are formed. At least one of the spacers includes at least two deflection members being substantially arranged so as to be surrounded by the cells. The deflection members are axially spaced-apart in the direction of flow of the coolant and relative to each other at a pitch angle for stepwise axial and radial deflection and guiding of at least part of the coolant flow towards fuel rods included in the bundle. The fuel rods are arranged close to the secondary channels.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fuel assembly (1) and a spacer (7) for a nuclear reactor wherein the spacer comprises a plurality of cells (9) for retaining and mutually fixing parallel elongated elements (3, 8) extending through the cells to form a bundle in the fuel assembly. The cells are tubular and internally provided with four elongated, non-independently resilient supports (10), formed in the sleeve material, or with two elongated, non-independently resilient supports (10), formed in the sleeve material, and two independently resilient supports (16), wherein the supports are intended to provide an all-sided positioning of the elongated element. (FIG.