Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Paul Stefan Anton, Peter Stefanovic
Date of Publication: Feb. 16, 2021
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: SMR Inventec, LLC
Equipment Type: SMR-160
Docket Number: HOL-066
Publication Number: US 10,923, 239 B2
Application Number: 15/822,704
Related US Application Data: Provisional application No. 14/413,807, filed as application No. PCT/US2013/049722 on Jul. 9, 2013, and now Patent No. US 9,865,363 B2. Provisional application No. 61/669,428, filed on July 9, 2012
Abstract: A portable nuclear fuel cartridge comprising a unitary support structure and a plurality of nuclear fuel assemblies that collectively form a nuclear fuel core. The nuclear fuel core is integrated into the unitary support structure to collectively form a self-supporting assemblage than can be lifted as a single unit. In another aspect, the invention is a method of fueling and/or defueling a nuclear reactor utilizing a nuclear fuel cartridge that is loaded and/or unloaded from the nuclear reactor as a single unit. In another aspect, a nuclear reactor core is provided that comprises a nuclear fuel core comprising; a plurality of first nuclear fuel assemblies, each of the plurality of first nuclear fuel assemblies having a first transverse cross-sectional configuration; and a plurality of second nuclear fuel assemblies, each of the plurality of second nuclear fuel assemblies having a second transverse cross-sectional configuration that is different than the first transverse cross-sectional configuration.