ACTIVE ZONE OF FAST U-Pu REACTOR AND CONTROL METHOD THAT GUARANTEE REACTOR OPERATION IN SELF-GOVERNING NEUTRON NUCLEAR MODE WITHOUT REACTIVITY CHARGE Russian patent published in 2010 - IPC G21C5/00 

FIELD: power industry.

SUBSTANCE: active zone (AZ) of fast U-Pu reactor consists of alternating zones of little (ZLE) and major (ZME) enrichment. In these zones ²³⁹Pu concentration is lower or higher accordingly than plutonium equilibrium concentration. AZ comprises also control units: bars made of ¹⁰B compounds and device for non-reversible injection of ²³⁸U into ZLE. AZ parametres are selected to provide setting of self-governing neutral nuclear mode, in which fast reactor operates in quasi-steady mode with KBA-1. Building up power is performed during the first 3 to 6 days, attainment of ²³⁹Np equilibrium concentration and self-governing reactor operation - during 10 to 20 days. Besides ²³⁹Pu combusting in the whole AZ is fully replaced by ²³⁹Pu produced in ZLE from ²³⁸U. Decomposition delay ensures safety of reactor. ²³⁸U insertion provides fine reactor power control and its simulteneous makeup fuel supply.

EFFECT: increasing of reactor operating period to 2 to 3 years without fuel recharging, reactor's safety improvement.

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