It should also be noted that inclusion of a neutron absorber within the neutron reflector assembly can also impact the reactivity within the reactor core. Dynamic adjustments among neutron reflector, moderator, and absorber materials within the neutron reflector assembly can provide richer control options than static neutron reflector assemblies alone.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a segmented dynamic neutron reflector assembly 300 surrounding an MSR core 301. The MSR core 301 is equipped with a fuel feed 308 and a fuel outlet 310. The fuel outlet 310 flows molten fuel salt from a reactor vessel 303 through a primary coolant loop to an external heat exchanger (not shown), which extracts heat (e.g., for use in a steam turbine) and cools the molten fuel salt for return to the reactor vessel 303 via the fuel feed 308. The molten fuel salt flows into the reactor vessel 303 through a molten fuel salt input 312 and flows out of the reactor vessel 303 through a molten fuel salt output 314.
