NEUTRON MODERATOR BASED ON ZIRCONIUM HYDRIDE AND THERMIONIC REACTOR-CONVERTER Russian patent published in 2020 - IPC H01J45/00 G21C3/40 

FIELD: power engineering.

SUBSTANCE: group of inventions relates to nuclear power engineering with thermionic conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy and can be used in designing thermionic reactor-converters with neutron moderator made from material based on zirconium hydride. Retarder of neutrons of thermal-emission reactor-converter contains a package of elements from material based on zirconium hydride, which is arranged in sealed container made of monocrystalline aluminum oxide. Elements of zirconium hydride-based material are presented in the form of tablets. Thermal-emission reactor-converter comprises an active zone confined by the shell ring and tube boards, in which electric generating channels are located, between which there are metal covers with sealed containers arranged in them, which are made of monocrystalline aluminum oxide. Metallic covers with end parts are permanently connected to tube plates, and in sealed containers there are packets of elements of neutron moderator made in form of pellets from material based on zirconium hydride.

EFFECT: prevention of diffusion of hydrogen caused by increased output of hydrogen from material of elements of neutron moderator at its working temperatures of about 650 °C, due to creation of protective barrier with high hydrogen-retaining properties.

2 cl, 3 dwg