Molten fuel nuclear reactor with neutron reflecting coolant
摘要
說(shuō)明書(shū)
In this way, the core reactivity and the ratio of breeding to burning may be accurately controlled over time by adjusting the reflectivity characteristics of dynamic neutron reflector assembly 110. For example, an operator of the MSR system 100 may wish to maintain a high and consistent burn profile over time. In some implementations, a desired burn profile is a burn profile that remains near maximum burn rate of the MSR system 100 over an extended period of time, such as over a period of years or decades. Reflectivity characteristics of dynamic neutron reflector assembly 110 may be chosen at various intervals over the extended period of time to obtain such a burn profile. As in the example above, early in the life cycle of the MSR system 100, reflectivity characteristics may be chosen to reflect more fast neutrons into reactor core section 106 to breed fertile material into fissile material until a desired concentration of fissile material has been reached. Reflectivity characteristics may be again adjusted for increased thermalization appropriate to the concentration of fissile material. Over time, as the fissile material is burned, reflectivity characteristics of dynamic neutron reflector assembly 110 may again be adjusted to introduce more breeding through fast neutron reflection, by reducing moderation and/or increasing fast neutron reflection. These adjustments may continue such that the burn profile of MSR system 100 remains high, and fertile material is bred into fissile material at a rate sufficient to supply the MSR system 100 with fuel over the extended period.
