Optimized fuel assembly channels and methods of creating the same

摘要

Fuel assemblies include an outer channel having a physical configuration optimized for a position of the fuel assembly within a core of a nuclear reactor. The position of the fuel assembly with respect to an employed control blade in the nuclear reactor determines if the outer channel may be thickened, reinforced, and/or fabricated of Zircaloy-4 or similar distortion-resistant material, so as to reduce or prevent distortion of the channel against the control blade, or thinned so as to increase water volume and enhance reactivity in the assembly. Reactor cores having configured fuel assemblies include fuel assemblies having different outer channels. Methods include determining operational characteristics of the fuel assembly, including likelihood of being placed directly adjacent to an employed control blade, and physically selecting or modifying the outer channel of the fuel assembly based thereon.

主权项

1. A fuel assembly for use in a nuclear reactor, the fuel assembly comprising:
at least one fuel rod; and an outer channel surrounding the at least one fuel rod, the outer channel including a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, and a fourth side wall, the first side wall being opposite the third side wall, the second side wall being opposite the fourth side wall, the first and second side walls being select side walls, the third and fourth side walls being other side walls, an entirety of the select side walls as a whole being thicker than an entirety of the other side walls as a whole.