Abstract: Seals are positioned between abutting nuclear reactor components. Example seals are held in position by gravity, grooves, retainers, direct joining, or other mating structures to seal the abutting components. Compression of example seals drives the seals against the joining components, preventing fluid passage therebetween. Example seals may include a cavity opening to a higher pressure fluid outside the joined components to drive expansion or sealing of the seal. Seals may have a C-shaped, E-shaped, O-ring, coiled, helical, or other cross-section to provide such a cavity. Example seals may be flexible materials compatible with radiation and heat encountered in a nuclear reactor. Seals may be continuous or sectional about the abutment of the components. An annular seal may extend continuously around a perimeter of removably joined core plates, supports, shrouds, and/or chimney heads and structures. Seals can be installed between and in the components at any time access is available to the components.

Abstract: A method of fabricating metallic fuel from surplus plutonium may include combining plutonium oxide powder and uranium oxide powder to obtain a mixed powder with reduced proliferation potential. The mixed powder may be electroreduced in a bath of molten salt so as to convert the mixed powder to a first alloy. The first alloy may be pressed to remove a majority of the molten salt adhered to the first alloy to form a pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be isolated from the salt by melting the pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be further processed to fabricate a fuel rod. Accordingly, the metallic fuel produced may be used in a fast reactor system, such as a Power Reactor Innovative Small Module (PRISM).

Abstract: Seals are positioned between abutting nuclear reactor components. Example seals are held in position by gravity, grooves, retainers, direct joining, or other mating structures to seal the abutting components. Compression of example seals drives the seals against the joining components, preventing fluid passage therebetween. Example seals may include a cavity opening to a higher pressure fluid outside the joined components to drive expansion or sealing of the seal. Seals may have a C-shaped, E-shaped, O-ring, coiled, helical, or other cross-section to provide such a cavity. Example seals may be flexible materials compatible with radiation and heat encountered in a nuclear reactor. Seals may be continuous or sectional about the abutment of the components. An annular seal may extend continuously around a perimeter of removably joined core plates, supports, shrouds, and/or chimney heads and structures. Seals can be installed between and in the components at any time access is available to the components.

Abstract: A method of fabricating metallic fuel from surplus plutonium may include combining plutonium oxide powder and uranium oxide powder to obtain a mixed powder with reduced proliferation potential. The mixed powder may be electroreduced in a bath of molten salt so as to convert the mixed powder to a first alloy. The first alloy may be pressed to remove a majority of the molten salt adhered to the first alloy to form a pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be isolated from the salt by melting the pressed alloy-salt mixture. The first alloy may be further processed to fabricate a fuel rod. Accordingly, the metallic fuel produced may be used in a fast reactor system, such as a Power Reactor Innovative Small Module (PRISM).