THERMIONIC CONVERTER REACTOR Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: nuclear power engineering; space engineering; spacecraft power plants. SUBSTANCE: core built up of thermionic power- generating fuel assemblies and booster fuel elements has outer vessels of booster fuel elements made of material containing resonant absorbers of intermediate neutron spectrum or vessel is covered with material containing resonant absorbers of intermediate neutron spectrum. Materials chosen for vessel or coverings containing resonant absorbers of intermediate neutron spectrum are rare-earth elements europium, hafnium, gadolinium, or their alloys with structural materials. EFFECT: enhanced safety including in case of hypothetical accident causing ingress of hydrogen-containing medium (water, hydrogen fuel). 3 cl, 5 dwg