Boiling water nuclear reactor fuel assembly divided into four sub-assemblies and comprising a channel

摘要

A fuel bundle assembly for a BWR consists of an open ended tubular channel divided into 4 quadrants by 2 interior partitions. Each quadrant has a sub-fuel bundle assembly, comprising an at least 8 x 8 array of fuel rods, enclosed on 2 sides and extending between upper and lower tie plates. An inter-bundle support plate with a flow opening for each sub-assembly, receives the lower end of the channel and supports the lower tie plate. Also claimed is an arrangement of 4 such fuel bundle assemblies in a reactor core defining a cruciform space with a control rod within this space.