Induced nuclear reactions: processes, systems, and elements inventions 09/08

20080232532 - Apparatus and method for generation of ultra low momentum neutrons: Method and apparatus for generating ultra low momentum neutrons (ULMNs) using surface plasmon polariton electrons, hydrogen isotopes, surfaces of metallic substrates, collective many-body effects, and weak interactions in a controlled manner. The ULMNs can be used to trigger nuclear transmutation reactions and produce heat. One aspect of the present invention... Agent: Cook, Alex, Mcfarron, Manzo, Cummings & Mehler Ltd

20080232533 - High flux sub-critical reactor for nuclear waste transmulation: A process to safely convert about 95% of the nuclear waste into a usable fuel source is disclosed. The process, involving a sub-critical power reactor and a proliferation-resistant fuel cycle, consumes depleted uranium or thorium fuel with fissionable fuel, including reactor or weapons-grade plutonium. The reactor is comprised of coaxial... Agent: Anatoly Blanovsky

20080232534 - Reflector control type fast reactor: A reflector control type fast reactor 1 comprises: a reactor vessel 7 accommodating therein a primary coolant 5; a reactor core 2 disposed in the reactor vessel 7 and immersed in the primary coolant 5; and a reflector 4 that vertically moves for adjusting leakage of neutrons generated from the... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, P.C.

20080232535 - Modular nuclear fission reactor: Illustrative embodiments provide modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and methods for their operation. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor modules, methods of operating a modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor, and the like.... Agent: Searete LLC Suite 110

20080232537 - Nuclear fuel assembly with an advanced spacer grid: An improved nuclear fuel assembly having elongated grid straps curved in a substantially undulating wave pattern along their axial length and interleaved together to form an egg-crate configuration having a plurality of roughly square cells that support fuel rods and guide tube thimbles. The cells that support fuel rods have... Agent: Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC

20080232536 - Spacer and a fuel unit for a nuclear plant: The invention refers to a spacer for holding a number of elongated fuel rods intended to be located in a nuclear plant, and a fuel unit with such spacers. The spacer encloses a number of cells for receiving a respective fuel rod extending in parallel to a longitudinal axis of... Agent: Michaud-duffy Group LLP

20080226010 - Reactor for producing controlled nuclear fusion: Method and apparatus for producing controlled steady state nuclear fusion with isotopes of low atomic numbers being the most useful reactants, such as Deuterium, Tritium and Helium3. The apparatus consists of a high voltage power supply and a high voltage spherical capacitor, constructed in such a way, that the outer... Agent: Brooks Kushman P.C.

20080226011 - Plasma centrifuge heat engine beam fusion reactor: A system and apparatus for a magnetized plasma nuclear fusion reactor, incorporating special design features which induce a plasma heat engine cycle in a rapidly rotating plasma. The heat engine operates either continuously or by oscillations. A continuous heat engine is formed in the open field outside a field reversed... Agent: Daniel C Barnes

20080226012 - Proliferation-resistant nuclear reactor: Proliferation-resistant nuclear reactors are disclosed according to some aspects. In one embodiment the proliferation-resistant nuclear reactor comprises a plurality of spherically-shaped micro-fuel elements (MFEs), each comprising a MFE core having one or more fuel kernels, a buffer external to the fuel kernels, and one or more coatings external to the... Agent: Battelle Memorial Institute Attn:IPServices, K1-53

20080219394 - Method and system for calculating an adjusted peak nodal power in a nuclear reactor: Systems and methods for a nuclear reactor that include developing a first peaking factor at a first burnup threshold for one or more fuel rods. A second peaking factor is developed at a second burnup threshold for the fuel rods. The second burnup threshold is greater than the first burnup... Agent: Harness, Dickey & Pierce, P.L.C

20080219396 - Nuclear power plant using nanoparticles in closed circuits of emergency systems and related method: A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form to improve heat transfer and reduce corrosion is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered to a closed cooling circuit such as a CCWS. Methods for providing the nanoparticles are also provided.... Agent: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, Llc

20080219395 - Nuclear power plant using nanoparticles in emergency situations and related method: A nuclear power plant provides for delivery of nanoparticles to coolant found in the containment, for example during severe accident scenarios. The nanoparticles advantageously can be delivered passively or actively independently of any emergency core cooling system. The nanoparticle supply can include for example tanks storing nanofluids or solid nanoparticles,... Agent: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, Llc

20080219397 - Decay heat removal system for liquid metal reactor: A decay heat removal system for a liquid metal reactor in which a decay heat exchanger (DHX) is installed concentrically with an intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) in the same cylinder which separates the DHX and IHX from the reactor pool fluid, and serves to remove the reactor core decay heat.... Agent: The Webb Law Firm, P.c.

20080219398 - Fuel element for a pressurized water reactor: A fuel element for a nuclear reactor has a fuel rod bundle, at least one spacer with cells defined by at least one web section made from a first material and several guide tubes each running through a cell and axially fixed thereto made from a second material. The first... Agent: Lerner Greenberg Stemer LLP

20080212732 - Tub-type meltdown retaining device: The invention relates to a Tub-like retainer for a nuclear core melt, comprising an outer envelope with a multi-layer lining along its inner surface, wherein said lining comprises, from inside to outside, a monolithic sacrificial layer, a layer made of high temperature resistant shaped parts and a monolithic filling layer... Agent: Walker & Jocke, L.p.a.

20080212733 - Nuclear power plant using nanoparticles in emergency systems and related method: A nuclear power plant with an improved cooling system using nanoparticles in solid or fluid form is provided. The nanoparticles are delivered in locations such as the cold leg accumulator and high and low pressure pumps of an emergency core cooling system. Motor driven valves and pressurization can aid in... Agent: Davidson, Davidson & Kappel, LLC