Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a reactor vessel having a barrier separating a core region from a shield region. A plurality of fuel rods containing a liquid nuclear fuel are positioned in the core region. A liquid moderator material is also positioned in the core region at least partially around the fuel rods. A plurality of heat exchangers can be positioned in the shield region, and a plurality of heat pipes can extend through the barrier. The moderator material is positioned to transfer heat received from the liquid nuclear fuel to the heat pipes, and the heat pipes are positioned to transfer heat received from the moderator material to the heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can transport the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a heat pipe network having an evaporator region, an adiabatic region, and a condenser region. The heat pipe network can define a plurality of flow paths having an increasing cross-sectional flow area in a direction from the evaporator region toward the condenser region. The system can further include nuclear fuel thermally coupled to at least a portion of the evaporator region. The heat pipe network is positioned to transfer heat received from the fuel at the evaporator region, to the condenser region. The system can further include one or more heat exchangers thermally coupled to the evaporator region for transporting the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a heat pipe network having an evaporator region, an adiabatic region, and a condenser region. The heat pipe network can define a plurality of flow paths having an increasing cross-sectional flow area in a direction from the evaporator region toward the condenser region. The system can further include nuclear fuel thermally coupled to at least a portion of the evaporator region. The heat pipe network is positioned to transfer heat received from the fuel at the evaporator region, to the condenser region. The system can further include one or more heat exchangers thermally coupled to the evaporator region for transporting the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a reactor vessel having a barrier separating a core region from a shield region. A plurality of fuel rods containing a liquid nuclear fuel are positioned in the core region. A liquid moderator material is also positioned in the core region at least partially around the fuel rods. A plurality of heat exchangers can be positioned in the shield region, and a plurality of heat pipes can extend through the barrier. The moderator material is positioned to transfer heat received from the liquid nuclear fuel to the heat pipes, and the heat pipes are positioned to transfer heat received from the moderator material to the heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can transport the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating structures, such as parts for use in nuclear power generation systems, are described herein. A representative method of fabricating a part for a nuclear reactor system includes coating a plurality of particles of a powder of a first material with a second material, and then pressing and/or heating the coated powder into a monolithic structure. The second material can be substantially solidly insoluble with the first material such that, after pressing and/or heating, the particles of the first material define grains of the monolithic structure and the second material substantially encapsulates the grains in the monolithic structure. The first material can be susceptible to corrosion by a select process, and the second material can be resistant to corrosion by the select process such that the bulk first material of the monolithic structure is resistant to corrosion by the select process.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a heat pipe network having an evaporator region, an adiabatic region, and a condenser region. The heat pipe network can define a plurality of flow paths having an increasing cross-sectional flow area in a direction from the evaporator region toward the condenser region. The system can further include nuclear fuel thermally coupled to at least a portion of the evaporator region. The heat pipe network is positioned to transfer heat received from the fuel at the evaporator region, to the condenser region. The system can further include one or more heat exchangers thermally coupled to the evaporator region for transporting the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.

Abstract: Nuclear reactor systems and associated devices and methods are described herein. A representative nuclear reactor system includes a reactor vessel having a barrier separating a core region from a shield region. A plurality of fuel rods containing a liquid nuclear fuel are positioned in the core region. A liquid moderator material is also positioned in the core region at least partially around the fuel rods. A plurality of heat exchangers can be positioned in the shield region, and a plurality of heat pipes can extend through the barrier. The moderator material is positioned to transfer heat received from the liquid nuclear fuel to the heat pipes, and the heat pipes are positioned to transfer heat received from the moderator material to the heat exchangers. The heat exchangers can transport the heat out of the system for use in one or more processes, such as generating electricity.