KR20120011044A - Nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system for controlled removal of a volatile fission product - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor and methods therefor. The fuel assembly includes a closure member adapted to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a volatile fission product therein. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body. The fluid control subassembly can also circulate the heat removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body to remove heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.

Description

NUCLEAR FISSION REACTOR FUEL ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLED REMOVAL OF A VOLATILE FISSION PRODUCT}

The present invention relates generally to fission reactor fuel assemblies, and more particularly, to fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in traveling wave fission reactors and methods therefor.

In the operation of a nuclear fission reactor, neutrons of known energy are captured by nuclides with high atomic masses. The resulting compound nucleus is separated into fission products and decay products, including two low atomic mass fission fragments. Nuclides known to make such fission by neutrons of all energies are uranium-233, uranium-235 and plutonium-239, which are fissile nuclides. For example, thermal neutrons with a kinetic energy of 0.0253 eV (electron volts) can be used for nuclear fission of the U-235 nucleus. Nuclear fission of thorium-232 and uranium-238, fertile nuclides, does not experience induced fission, except for fast neutrons with kinetic energy of at least 1 MeV (million electron volts). The total kinetic energy released from each fission is about 200 MeV. This kinetic energy is eventually converted into heat.

In addition, the fission process, which began with the initial neutral resources, not only liberates additional neutrons but also converts kinetic energy into heat. This results in a self-sustaining fission chain reaction accompanied by continuous heat release. For each neutron absorbed, one or more neutrons are released until the fissable nucleus is depleted. This phenomenon is used in conventional reactors that produce continuous heat that is in turn used to generate power.

Attempts have been made to address the accumulation of fission products during the operation of the reactor. U.S. Patent No. 4,285,891, entitled "Method of Removing Fission Gases from Irradiated Fuel", issued August 25, 1981, under the name Lane A. Bray et al. A method for removing volatile fission products from irradiated fuel is disclosed by first passing a hydrogen containing inert gas by the fuel and then passing only the inert gas alone by the fuel, which is at an elevated temperature.

Another attempt is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,268,947 (named “Nuclear Fuel Elements Including Traps for Oxidation-Based Fission Products”), filed December 7, 1993 in the name of Bernard Bastide et al. This patent covers the extraction of fission products, wherein the sintered pellets are surrounded by a metal sheath and the pellets contain an agent for fission products or are coated or the coating is internally coated with a medicament. Disclosed allowable fuel elements. Fission products are extracted by forming an oxygenated extraction agent into compounds that are stable at high temperatures.

The present invention relates generally to fission reactor fuel assemblies, and more particularly, to fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in traveling wave fission reactors and methods therefor.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly is provided that is configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor, which is configured to close a porous nuclear fuel body. And a fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member and adapted to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor, which closes the heat generating nuclear fuel body. And a closure member in which the nuclear fuel body forms a plurality of pores having volatile fission products therein, and coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. And a fluid control subassembly that controllably removes at least a portion of the heat generated from the nuclear fuel body.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system is provided for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by the presence of combustion waves in a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly, which forms a plurality of pores having volatile fission products therein. And a closure member adapted to close the porous nuclear fuel body, and a fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a system for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by the presence of combustion waves in a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly is provided, which is intended to close nuclear fuel bodies that generate heat therein. And a closure member in which the nuclear fuel body forms a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores having a volatile fission product therein, and a closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. And a fluid control subassembly coupled and controllably removing at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor, which includes a closure that closes the porous nuclear fuel body. Volatile fission products from porous nuclear fuel bodies at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by providing a member and controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. Coupling the fluid control subassembly to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the portion.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for the controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor, which generates heat therein. Provide a closure member adapted to close the fuel body and the nuclear fuel body to form a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores, and to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to the combustion wave. Fluid in the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at the locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the corresponding locations. Joining the control subassemblies.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, controlling removal of volatile fission products at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves of a traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves It involves doing.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave nuclear fission reactor, the porous having volatile fission products therein. Porous at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves in the traveling wave fission reactor by using a closing member for closing the nuclear fuel body and controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave. And using a fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the nuclear fuel body.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor, where a heat generating nucleus is generated therein. Using a closure member configured to close the fuel body and the nuclear fuel body to form a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores, and to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and to the combustion wave. Closed to control the removal of at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the corresponding plurality of locations. And using a fluid control subassembly coupled to the member.

It is a feature of the present disclosure to provide a closure member adapted to close a porous nuclear fuel body having a volatile fission product therein for use in a traveling wave fission reactor.

Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid control subassembly coupled to a closure member to control removal of at least a portion of volatile fission product from a porous nuclear fuel body for use in a traveling wave fission reactor.

Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a fluid control subassembly coupled to a closure member for controllably removing at least a portion of the heat generated by a nuclear fuel body for use in a traveling wave fission reactor.

Another feature of the present disclosure is to provide a dual purpose circuit coupled to a closure member for selectively removing volatile fission products and heat from a nuclear fuel body for use in a traveling wave fission reactor.

In addition to the above, various other method and / or device aspects are described and described in the teachings such as the text of the present disclosure (eg, claims and / or details) and / or drawings.

The foregoing is a summary and so may include the simplification, generalization, inclusion, and / or life of the details; Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that the summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the exemplary aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Although the specification concludes with the claims, which specifically point out and clearly claim the subject matter of the disclosure, the disclosure will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
1 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the first embodiment, which is a volatile fission product present in a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores formed by a porous nuclear fuel body disposed in the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly Also shown.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores enlarged for clarity, which also shows the volatile fission products present in the open-cell pores.
FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of a portion of a nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles forming a plurality of channels therebetween, wherein the particles and channels have been enlarged for clarity, which shows the volatile fission products present in the channels Also shown.
3 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the second embodiment.
4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the third embodiment.
5 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the fourth embodiment.
6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems of a plurality of fifth embodiments disposed in a sealable container.
6A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve of the first embodiment with a breakable barrier.
6B is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the diaphragm valve of the second embodiment having a barrier that is breakable by the piston structure.
FIG. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies and systems of a plurality of sixth embodiments with portions disposed outside of the sealable container.
7A is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the first supply member, the second supply member and the fluid control subassembly operatively coupled to each other by a Y-shaped pipe joint.
7B is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the inlet and outlet subassemblies coupled to the fluid control subassembly.
7C is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of an inlet subassembly coupled to a porous nuclear fuel body and an outlet subassembly coupled to a fluid control subassembly.
FIG. 7D is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a plurality of inlet subassemblies coupled to a nuclear fuel body and a plurality of pumps coupled to each one of the inlet subassemblies, and also illustrates an outlet subassembly coupled to a fluid control subassembly. FIG. do.
FIG. 7E is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the seventh embodiment, which is present in a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores formed by porous nuclear fuel bodies disposed in the plurality of nuclear fission reactor fuel assemblies The products are also shown.
8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the eighth embodiment.
9 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the ninth embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a view along section line 10-10 of FIG. 9.
11 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the tenth embodiment.
12 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the eleventh embodiment.
13 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and the system of the twelfth embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a view along section line 14-14 of FIG. 13.
15 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the thirteenth embodiment.
FIG. 16 is a view along section line 16-16 of FIG. 15.
17 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the fourteenth embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a view along section line 18-18 of FIG. 17.
19 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the fifteenth embodiment.
20 is a plan view of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the sixteenth embodiment.
21A-21CQ are flowcharts of example methods of assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor.
22A is a flowchart of an exemplary method for removal of volatile fission products at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves.
23A-23CK are flowcharts of example methods of operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. Unless the context indicates otherwise, like symbols in the drawings generally refer to like components. The illustrative embodiments described in the description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be used, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein.

In addition, the present application uses formal outline headings for clarity of explanation. However, the summary titles are for illustrative purposes, and other types of subject matter may be discussed throughout the application (eg, device (s) / structure (s) may be described under the process (s) / operations heading and) And / or process (s) / actuations may be described under the device (s) / structure (s) heading; and / or descriptions of a single topic may span two or more topic headings). do. Therefore, the use of formal outline headings is not intended to be limited in any way.

In addition, the subject matter described herein often refers to other components contained within or connected to other components. It is to be understood that the configurations so described are merely exemplary and in fact many other configurations may be employed that achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" so that the desired functionality is obtained. Therefore any two components combined here to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated" with each other, so that the desired functionality is obtained regardless of the structure or intermediate components. Likewise, any two components so associated may also be viewed as "operably linked" or "operably coupled" with each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples that are operatively coupled include: physically compatible and / or physically interacting components, and / or wirelessly interactable, and / or wirelessly interacting components, and / or Or logically interacting, and / or logically interacting components.

In some examples, one or more components may be matched / matched to “configured to”, “configurable to”, “operable to / operable”, “adaptable / adaptable” ”,” May be referred to as. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that "configured in" may generally include active components and / or inactive components and / or standby components, unless the context otherwise requires.

Heat accumulation during reactor operation causes fuel assembly to expand, resulting in fuel cladding creep and fuel swelling during reactor operation, which can increase the risk of misalignment of reactor core components, fuel cladding rupture. Leads to. This may increase the risk of fuel cracking or otherwise degrading. Fuel pyrolysis can lead to fuel-cladding failure mechanisms such as fuel-clad mechanical interactions and lead to fission gas emissions. Fission gas emissions result in higher than normal radiation levels.

Fission products are produced during the fission process and can accumulate in the fuel. Accumulation of fission products, including fission gas, can lead to expansion of an undesirable amount of fuel assembly. Such expansion of the fuel assembly may, in turn, increase the risk of fuel cracking and the accompanying release of fission products into the environment. Safety margins integrated into the reactor design and precise quality control during manufacturing reduce these risks to a minimum, but in some cases it may still be appropriate to reduce these risks even further.

Thus, referring to FIG. 1, to produce heat due to fission of a fission nuclide such as uranium-235, uranium-233 or plutonium-239, or due to rapid fission of a nuclide such as thorium-232 or uranium-238 To that end, one embodiment of a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system, generally indicated at 10, is shown. From the description below, it will be understood that fuel assembly 10 may also allow for controlled removal of volatile fission product 15 produced during the fission process. Volatile fission product 15 is produced by a traveling combustion wave 16 initiated by a relatively small and removable fission igniter 17. In this regard, fission igniter 17, which includes, but is not limited to, U0233, U-235, or PU-239, with appropriate isotopic enrichment of fissable material, is suitable for the desired location in fuel assembly 10. Is located. Neutrons are emitted by the igniter 17. Neutrons emitted by the igniter 17 are captured by the fissile and / or fissable material in the nuclear fission fuel assembly 10 to initiate the fission chain reaction. The igniter 17 can be removed, if desired, once the chain reaction is self-holding. It can be seen that the volatile fission product 15 can be controllably released corresponding to the controlled position of the combustion wave within the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 10. It should be understood that any embodiment of the fuel assembly described herein may be used as one component of a traveling wave fission reactor. This traveling wave fission reactor, together with pending US patent application Ser. No. 11/605, 943 (filed Nov. 28, 2006 in the name of Roderick A. Hyde et al., Entitled "Automated Nuclear Reactor for Long-Term Operation") The application is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the fuel assembly 10 includes a closure member 20 having a closure wall 30 for sealingly closing the porous nuclear fuel body 40 therein. Fuel body 40 includes the above-mentioned fissile nuclides, such as uranium-235, uranium-233 or plutonium-239. Instead, the fuel body 40 may comprise fissable nuclides such as thorium-232 and / or uranium-238 mentioned above, which will be transformed into one or more of the fissile nuclides mentioned above during the fission process. will be. A further variant is that the fuel body 40 may comprise a predetermined mixture of fissile and fissile nuclides. As described in more detail below, fuel body 40 can produce volatile fission products 15, which are iodine isotopes, bromine, cesium, potassium, rubidium, strontium, xenon, krypton, barium and these Or a mixture of different gaseous or volatile materials.

Referring back to FIG. 1, as mentioned above, the porous nuclear fuel body 40 may substantially include uranium, thorium, plutonium, or alloys thereof. In particular, the nuclear fuel body 40 includes uranium monoxide (UO), uranium dioxide (UO ₂ ), thorium dioxide (ThO ₂ ) (also called thorium oxide), uranium trioxide (UO ₃ ), uranium oxide-plutonium oxide (UO-PuO), uranium trioxide (U ₃ O ₈ ), and mixtures thereof, which may be a porous material made of an oxide selected from the group consisting essentially of. As a variant, the fuel body 40 may substantially include carbide (UC _x ) of uranium or carbide (ThC _x ) of thorium. For example, the fuel body 40 includes uranium monocarbide (UC), uranium dicarbide (UC ₂ ), uranium hexacarbide carbide (U ₂ C ₃ ), thorium dicarbide (ThC ₂ ), thorium carbide (ThC), and its It may be a foam material made of carbides selected from the group consisting essentially of the mixture. Uranium carbide or thorium carbide may be sputtered on a matrix of niobium carbide (NbC) and zirconium carbide (ZrC) to form fuel body 40. A potential advantage of using niobium carbide and zirconium carbide is that they form a fire resistant structural substrate for uranium carbide or thorium carbide. As another example, the fuel body 40 may include uranium nitride (U ₃ N ₂ ), uranium nitride-zirconium nitride (U ₃ N ₂ -ZrN ₄ ), uranium-plutonium nitride ((U-Pu) N), thorium nitride (ThN), uranium-zirconium alloy (UZr) and mixtures thereof, which may be a porous material made of a nitride selected from the group consisting essentially of. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the porous fuel body 40 may form a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores 50 spatially distributed within the fuel body 40. As used herein, the term " open-cell pores " means that each pore 50 is interconnected with one or more neighboring pores 50, such that a fluid such as gas or liquid directly directs the pores 50. It means to allow to pass between. That is, open-cell pores 50 are disposed within fuel body 40 to form fibrous, rod-like, web-like or honeycomb structures. In a variant, the fuel body 40 may contain a porous fuel material formed by a collection of fuel particles 63 (such as sintered beads or filled spheres) that form a plurality of interstitial channels 65 therebetween. It may include. In addition, open-cell pores 50 may be disposed in a fuel material having a mixture of foam and porous properties. It should be understood that the following description of the pores 50 may also apply to the channel 65.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 2A, the volatile fission product 15 produced by the combustion wave 16 may initially be present in some or all of the pores 50 and may naturally evaporate to produce a nuclear fuel body 40. It can be seen that can spread through). It will also be appreciated that at least some of the pores 50 are of a predetermined configuration to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product 15 to exit the pores 50 of the porous nuclear fuel body 40 within a predetermined response time. Can be. The predetermined response time may be between about 10 seconds and 1,000 seconds. Instead, the predetermined response time may be between about 1 second and 10,000 seconds depending on the predetermined configuration of the pores 50.

Referring back to FIG. 1, coupled to the closure member 20, such as by the first pipe portion 70, is a fluid forming a first volume 90 comprising a first fluid, such as pressurized helium gas. Control subassembly 80. Instead, the first fluid can be any suitable pressurized inert gas, such as, but not limited to neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and mixtures thereof. In another variation, the first fluid may be a suitable liquid such as liquid lead (Pb), sodium (Na), lithium (Li), mercury (Hg). As described more fully below, the fluid control subassembly 80 helps to controllably remove the volatile fission product 15 and heat from the fuel body 40. In other words, the fluid control subassembly 80 may circulate the first fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body 40. In this manner, heat and volatile fission product 15 are removed from fuel body 40 while the first fluid circulates fuel body 40.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the second embodiment, generally indicated at 100. This second embodiment is substantially similar to the fuel assembly 10 of the first embodiment except that the heat exchanger 110 is associated with the closing member 20. The heat exchanger 110 forms a shell that forms an interior 130 that may contain a second fluid for cooling the first fluid used to remove heat and volatile fission product 15 from the fuel body 40. 120. The second fluid has a temperature lower than the temperature of the first fluid. Placed inside the interior 130 is a plurality of U-shaped tubes 132 (only one shown) having two open ends. In this regard, one end of the U-shaped tube 132 has an opening 134 and the other end of the U-shaped tube 132 has another opening 136. Openings 134 and 136 are in fluid communication with a first fluid that occupies a first volume 90 of fluid control subassembly 80. It can be seen that there is a difference in density between the cooled portion of the first fluid present in the tube 132 and the heated portion of the first fluid in the porous nuclear fuel body 40. This temperature difference will cause a density difference between the cooled portion of the first fluid present in the tube 132 and the heated portion of the first fluid in the porous nuclear fuel body 40. The difference in fluid density, in turn, will cause molecules in the cooler fluid portion to be replaced with molecules in the hotter fluid portion, since the cooler fluid portion is physically higher or above the hotter fluid portion. Thus, the exchange of cooler and hotter fluid parts will occur and will cause a natural convection flow that circulates the first fluid through the fuel assembly 100 and the nuclear fuel body 40. In addition, the tube 132 is U-shaped to increase the heat transfer area which enhances this natural convection. Thus, natural convection relies on circulating the first fluid due to the substantial temperature difference between the cooler and hotter fluid parts of the first fluid. As the first fluid circulates through the tube 132, the second fluid, which is brought to a substantially lower temperature than the first fluid, is moved internally through the inlet nozzle 140 by means such as a pump (not shown). 130). Next, the second fluid leaves the interior 130 through the outlet nozzle 150. As the second fluid enters and exits the heat exchanger 110, the second fluid of lower temperature closes the plurality of U-shaped tubes 132. Conductive heat transfer through the walls of the tube 132 occurs between the first fluid circulating the tube 132 and the second fluid closing the tube 132. In this way, the heated first fluid passes its heat to the cooler second fluid.

Referring again to FIG. 3, the fuel assembly 100 of this second embodiment is operable without pumps or valves circulating the first fluid since the first fluid can be circulated by natural convection. The absence of pumps and valves can reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the fuel assembly of the second embodiment, while increasing the reliability of the fuel assembly 100 of the second embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the heat exchanger 110 may serve as a steam generator, if desired. That is, a part of the second fluid may be vaporized with steam (when the second fluid is water) discharged from the outlet nozzle 150 in accordance with the temperature and pressure in the heat exchanger 110. Steam exiting the outlet nozzle 150 may be transferred to a turbine-generator device (not shown) to produce electricity in a manner well known in the art of producing electricity from the steam.

Referring to FIG. 4, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the third embodiment, generally designated 190, is shown to primarily remove heat and volatile fission product 15 from fuel body 40. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 190 of the third embodiment communicates with the first volume 90 at one end thereof and is integrally connected to the inlet of the first pump 210 which is a centrifugal pump at the other end thereof. 200. Such pumps suitable for this purpose are described, for example, by Sulzer Pumps, Ltd. of Winterer, Switzerland. It may be of the type available from. The outlet of the first pump 210 is connected to the third pipe part 220, which is then in communication with the fuel body 40. In addition, the heat exchanger 110 may be coupled to the third pipe part 220 to remove heat from the fluid flowing through the third pipe part 220.

Still referring to FIG. 4, the first pump 210 is driven to remove heat from the fuel body 40. The first pump 210 withdraws a fluid, such as the helium gas mentioned above, from the second pipe portion 200 and thus from the first volume 90 formed by the fluid control subassembly 80. The first pump 210 pumps the fluid from the third pipe part 220. The fluid flowing through the third pipe part 220 is received by the plurality of (or multiple) open-cell pores 50 formed by the fuel body 40. Fluid flowing through the open-cell pores 50 obtains the heat generated by the fuel body 40. Heat is obtained by forced convective transfer as the fluid is pumped through the open-cell pores 50 by the first pump 210. As the first pump 210 is operated, a fluid that undergoes convective heat transfer while flowing through the fuel body 40 is drawn out due to the pumping action of the pump 210 and is discharged through the first pipe part 70. Into one volume 90, the second pipe portion 200 is then introduced into the third pipe portion 220 to remove heat by the heat exchanger 110. In addition, while the fluid circulates between the fuel body 40 and the first volume 90, a portion of the volatile fission product 15 generated in the fuel body 40 is removed and remains in the first volume, thus fuel The amount of volatile fission product 15 present in sieve 40 is removed or at least lowered. In this regard, the first volume 90 may be filled with a fission product removal material 225 that retains the fission product 15 as the fluid from which the fission product has been removed enters the volume 90. The fission product removal material is limited to zeolite silver (AgZ) for removing xenon (Xe) and krypton (Kr), or the fission product removal material is cesium (Cs), rubidium (Rb), iodine (I2), Metal oxides of silicon dioxide (SiO ₂ ) or titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) to remove radioactive isotopes of tellerium (Te) and mixtures thereof. An advantage of using the fuel assembly 190 of this third embodiment is that only the pump 210 is needed to circulate the first fluid. No valves are needed. The absence of valves can increase the reliability of the fuel assembly 190 of the third embodiment while reducing the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the fuel assembly 190 of the third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the fourth embodiment, generally indicated at 230, may further enhance the removal of heat as well as the aforementioned volatile fission product 15 from fuel body 40. . The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 230 of the fourth embodiment is substantially the same as the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 190 of the third embodiment except that means are added for improved removal of the heat and volatile fission product 15. . In this regard, the fourth pipe part 240 has an end communicating with the first volume 90 and another end integrally coupled to the inlet of the second pump 250. The outlet of the second pump 250 Is integrally coupled to the sixth pipe portion 260. The sixth pipe portion 260 is then in communication with the second volume 270 formed by the first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280. During operation of the fuel assembly 230 of the fourth embodiment, the pump 210 pumps the first fluid from the first volume 90, and through the second pipe part 200, the third pipe part 220. Through the fuel body 40, the first fluid is pumped back to the first volume 90 through the first pipe part 70. As the first fluid flows through the third pipe part 220, the fluid passes the heat to the second fluid in the heat exchanger 110. The first pump 210 may be stopped after a predetermined amount of time. The second pump 250 passes through the fourth pipe part 240, through the fifth pipe part 260, and into the second volume 270 formed by the first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280. It may be operable to draw the fission product 15 including the first fluid mixed therewith. Thus, volatile fission product 15 is removed from fuel body 40 and retained in first fission product reservoir or holding tank 280 or for fission product in reservoir or holding tank 280 for subsequent external disposal. (15) may remain in its original position if desired. In this fourth embodiment fuel assembly 230, only pumps 210 and 250 are needed. No valves are needed. The absence of valves can reduce the manufacturing and maintenance costs of the fuel assembly 230 of the fourth embodiment, while increasing the reliability of the fuel assembly 230 of the fourth embodiment. Another advantage of the fuel assembly 230 of the fourth embodiment is that the volatile fission product 15 can be separated into the second volume 270 and left in place or removed for subsequent external waste.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of a fifth embodiment, generally indicated at 290. In this regard, there may be a plurality of fission reactor fuel assemblies 290 (only three are shown) of the fifth embodiment. A sealable container 310, such as a pressure vessel or containment vessel, closes the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 to prevent leakage of radioactive particles, gases or liquids from the fuel assembly 290 into the surrounding environment. The vessel 310 may be steel, concrete or other material of suitable size and thickness to reduce the risk of such radiation leakage and to support the necessary pressure loads. Although one vessel 310 is shown, in order to further ensure that radioactive particles, gases or liquids leak from the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290, the vessel 310 is closed, ie one vessel is the other vessel. There may be additional containment vessels that close the lid. The vessel 310 forms a space 320 in which the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 of the fifth embodiment is disposed. The fission reactor fuel assembly 290 of the fifth embodiment may also be capable of controlled removal of heat accumulation and controlled removal of the volatile fission product 15, as described more fully below.

Referring again to FIG. 6, fuel assembly 290 includes a compact, combined, closed-loop, dual-purpose heat removal and volatile fission product removal circuit, generally indicated at 330. The dual-purpose circuit 330 can selectively remove not only heat but also volatile fission products 15 from the fuel body 40. In this regard, circuit 330 may operate to first remove volatile fission product 15 and then to remove heat or vice versa. Thus, the circuit 330 can remove heat and volatile fission products 15 successively.

  Referring again to FIG. 6, dual purpose circuit 330 includes the aforementioned fluid control subassembly 80 forming a first volume including a fluid source. The third pipe 340 communicates with the fuel body 40 at one end of the first pipe part 70 and is a centrifugal pump at the other end of the first pipe part 70. It is connected to the inlet of the unit integrally. The outlet of the third pump 340 is connected to the sixth pipe part 350, which is in communication with the first volume 90. The second pipe part 200 communicates with the first volume 90 at one end of the second pipe part 200 and at the other end of the second pipe part 200 of the first pump 210. It is integrally connected to the entrance. The pumps 340, 210 may be selected such that either alone operating pump 340, 210 can circulate a reduced but sufficient flow of fluid within the dual purpose circuit 330. That is, even if either pump 340, 210 is absent, turned off or otherwise inoperative, the dual purpose circuit still retains fluid circulation capability via the dual purpose circuit 330. As the fluid circulates through the dual-purpose circuit 330, a heat exchanger 355 is disposed in the third pipe portion 220 between the seventh pipe portion 360 and the closure member 20 to remove heat from the fluid. do. The heat exchanger 355 may be substantially the same as the configuration of the heat exchanger 110. As with the seventh pipe portion 360, it is the second volatile fission product reservoir or holding tank 370 connected to any one of the pipe portions 70, 200, 220, 350. The second reservoir or holding tank 370 forms a third volume 380 for holding and separating the volatile fission product 15 therein. The second reservoir or holding tank 370 is coupled to the third pipe part 220 by the seventh pipe part 360. Operationally connected to the seventh pipe portion 360 allows flow of the volatile fission product 15 to the third volume 380, but opposes the volatile fission product 15 to the third volume 380. Directional flow is the first non-return valve 390 operated by a motor to disallow. The first non-return valve 390 operated by the motor may be operated by the operation of the controller or control unit 400 electrically connected thereto. As a variant, the valve 390 need not be operated by a motor, but may be operated by other suitable means. Such a non-return valve suitable for this purpose is, for example, Emerson Process Manufacture, Ltd., Baar, Switzerland. Available from. As described in more detail below, volatile fission product 15 produced by fuel body 40 is captured and retained in third volume 380 to separate this volatile fission product 15.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the operatively connected to the third pipe part 220 and inserted between the non-return valve 390 and the closing member 20 are the second non-return valve 410 operated by a motor. )to be. The second non-return valve 410 permits fluid flow to the closing member 20, but does not allow backflow of fluid from the closing member 20 to the third pipe part 220. The second non-return valve 410 operated by the motor may be operated by the action of the control unit 400 electrically connected thereto. Accordingly, the first pipe part 70, the third pump 340, the sixth pipe part 350, the heat exchanger 355, the fluid control subassembly 80, the second pipe part 200, and the first pump 210, the third pipe part 220, the seventh pipe part 360, the second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370, the first backflow check valve 390, the second backflow check valve 410, The control unit 400 and the fuel body 40 together form a dual purpose circuit 330. As will now be described in more detail, the dual-purpose circuit 330 can circulate fluid through the open-cell pores 50 of the fuel body 40 such that thermal and volatile fission products are continuously released from the fuel body 40. Selectively removed at or simultaneously. The advantage of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 of this fifth embodiment is that the dual purpose circuit 330 is controlled by the operation of the pumps 210, 340, the valves 390, 410 and the control unit 400. It should be understood from the description herein that the product 15 and heat can be selectively removed continuously.

Referring again to FIG. 6, a plurality of sensors or neutron flux detector 412 (only one shown) may be disposed in the fuel body 40 to detect various operating characteristics of the fuel body 40. have. By way of example only, but not limitation, the detector 412 may be adapted to detect the operating characteristics of the neutron population level and the power level and / or location of the combustion wave 16 in the fuel body 40. Detector 412 is coupled to control unit 400, which controls the operation of detector 412. In addition, a plurality of fission product pressure detectors 413 (only one shown) may be disposed in the fuel body 40 to detect the pressure level of the fission product in the fuel body 40. In addition, the control unit 400 may vary the volatile fission product according to the amount of time that the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 operates continuously or periodically and / or according to any time schedule associated with the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290. It is to be understood that the valves 390 and 410 can be operated to control 15 and the release of heat. Controllers suitable for use as control unit 400 may be of the type available, for example, from Stolley and Orlebeke, Incorporated, Elmhurst, Illinois, USA. Neutron flux detectors suitable for this purpose are also available from Thermo Scientific, Incorporated, Waldam, Massachusetts, USA. Suitable pressure detectors are also available from Kaman Measuring System, Incorporated, Colorado Springs, USA.

6A and 6B, the diaphragm valve of the first embodiment, generally designated 414a, with a hollow valve body 415 may be replaced for valves 390 and or 410 if desired. Instead, the aforementioned non-return valves 390 and 410 may be used in combination with the diaphragm valve 414a of the first embodiment, as shown. Placed within the hollow valve body 415 are a plurality of breakable barriers or membranes 416, which may be made of thin elastomers or thin cross-section metals. The membranes 416 break or rupture when subjected to a predetermined system pressure. Each membrane 416 is mounted to each one of the plurality of support members 415 together by fasteners 418. As a variant, either of the valves 390 or 410 has a diaphragm of the second embodiment, generally designated 414b, having a breakable barrier or membrane 416 that can be broken by a piston structure, generally designated 419. It may be a valve. The diaphragm valve 414b of the first embodiment may be used in combination with the non-return valves 390 and 410 as shown. The piston structure 419 has a piston 419a that is movable to break the membrane 416. Each piston 419a is movable by the motor 419b. The motor 419b is connected to the control unit 400 so that the control unit 400 controls the motor 419b. Thus, each piston 419a can move to break the membrane 416 by an operation movement as the operator manipulates the control unit 400. The valves 414b may be customer designed valves available from Solenoid Solutions, Incorporated, Erie, Pennsylvania, USA. However, it will be appreciated that the valves 414a, 414b may be check valves rather than diaphragm valves, if desired.

Returning to FIG. 6, the operation of the dual purpose circuit 330 for the removal of volatile fission products 15 from the fuel body 40 will now be described. As already mentioned, the circuit 330 can be operated to selectively and continuously remove heat as well as volatile fission products 15 from the fuel body 40. In order to remove the volatile fission products 15 from the fuel body 40, the first valve 390 is opened and the first valve 390 is opened, such as by the action of the control unit 400 to which the valves 390 and 410 are electrically connected. The two valves 410 are closed. As mentioned above, volatile fission products 15 are produced in fuel body 40 by combustion waves 16 and are present in open-cell pores 50. The third pump 340 is selectively operable, such as by the control unit 400, such that the fission products 15 captured by the open-cell pores 50 may pass through the first pipe portion 70. Then, the sixth pipe portion 350 is introduced into the first volume 90. The first pump 210 draws the nuclear fission products 15 from the first volume 90 and through the second pipe portion 200. The first pump 210 pumps fission products 15 from the second pipe part 200 and through the third pipe part 220. The fission products 15 flowing along the third pipe portion 220 are converted to the second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370 because the first valve 390 is open and the second valve 410 is closed. After a predetermined amount of time, if necessary, the first valve 390 is closed and the second valve 410 is opened to resume control of the fission products 15 from the fuel body 40.

Still referring to FIG. 6, the operation of circuit 330 for removal of heat from fuel body 40 will now be described. In order to remove heat from the fuel body 40, as by the action of the control unit 400, the first valve 390 is closed and the second valve 410 is opened. The first pump 210 and the third pump 340 operate, and these may also be operated by the action of the control unit 400. The first pump 210 draws a fluid, such as helium gas, from the first volume 90 formed by the fluid control subassembly 80 through the first pipe portion 200. The first pump 210 pumps the fluid through the third pipe part 220. In the heat exchanger 355 mentioned above, heat is transferred to the fluid flowing through the third pipe part 220 to remove heat transferred by the fluid. The fluid flowing through the third pipe part 220 is not converted into the reservoir or the holding tank 370 because the first valve 390 is closed. Fluid flowing through the third pipe portion 220 is received by a plurality of (or multiple) open-cell pores 50 formed by the porous fuel body 40. The fluid received by the open-cell pores 50 obtains the heat generated by the fuel body 40. Heat is obtained by convective heat transfer as the fluid flows through the open-cell pores 50. As convective heat transfer takes place in the fuel body 40, the third pump 340 is operated as by the control unit 400. As the third pump 340 is operated, the fluid present in the fuel body 40 and undergoing convective heat transfer flows into the first volume 90 via the first pipe part 70. The advantage of using the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 of the fifth embodiment is that the compact dual purpose circuit 330 can selectively and continuously remove the volatile fission product 15 and then remove the heat or the It is the opposite. This result is achieved by the controlled operation of the pumps 210, 340 and the valves 390, 410 by the control unit 400 and by the heat exchanger 355.

Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the sixth embodiment, generally designated 420. The fuel assembly 420 of the sixth embodiment is substantially the same as the fuel assembly 290 of the fifth embodiment, except that the following components are disposed substantially outside the vessel 310: That is, the first pipe Part 70, third pump 340, sixth pipe part 350, fluid control subassembly 80, second pipe part 200, first pump 70, third pipe part 220 , First valve 390, heat exchanger 355, seventh pipe part 360, second fission product reservoir or holding tank 370, second valve 410 and control unit 400. In some cases, disposing these components outside of the vessel 310 may further enhance these components without exposing the repair equipment and reactor personnel to radiation levels within the vessel 310 during such repairs. Makes it easier to access for easy maintenance.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the first fluid source or first configuration 422, the second fluid source or second configuration 423, and the fluid control subassembly 80 are Y-shaped pipe joints 424. Are joined together operatively. The first fluid supply configuration 422 can supply the fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80 such that the fluid control subassembly 80 provides open-cell pores 50 of the nuclear fuel body 40. Through which the fission product removal fluid is circulated. In this manner, at least a portion of the volatile fission product 15 obtained by the pores 50 of the nuclear fuel body 40 may be such that the fluid control subassembly 80 draws the fission product removal fluid through the pores 50. It is removed during cycling. The second fluid supply configuration 423 can also supply heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80 such that the fluid control subassembly 80 supplies the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body 40. Make it circulating. In this manner, at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body 40 is removed from the nuclear fuel body 40 while the fluid control subassembly 80 circulates the heat removal fluid through the nuclear fuel body 40. do. The fission product removal fluid may be hydrogen (H ₂ ), helium (He), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), and / or methane (CH ₄ ), and the like. Heat removal fluids include hydrogen (H ₂ ), helium (He), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), sodium (Na), lead (Pb), sodium-potassium (NaK), lithium (Li), and "light water." “(H 2 O), lead-bismuth (Pb-Bi) alloy, and / or fluorine-lithium-beryllium (FLiBe), but is not limited thereto. The first configuration 422 and the second configuration 423 are substantially the same in their configuration. A pair of non-return valves (not shown) may be integrally coupled to each one of the configurations 422 and 423, which in volume 90 control the flow of fission product removal fluid and heat removal fluid, Backflow from 90 and return to either the first configuration 422 or the second configuration 423 are not controlled. In this manner, the first configuration 422 and the second configuration 423 can supply the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80, respectively. In other words, the first configuration 422 and the second configuration 423 may sequentially supply the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80, respectively. Also, a pair of pumps (not shown) are coupled to the first configuration 422 and the second configuration 423 to supply the fission product removal fluid and heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the fluid control subassembly may instead include an inlet subassembly 426 to supply fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly 80. A valve 426 ′ may be inserted between the inlet subassembly 426 and the fluid control subassembly 80 to control the flow of fission product removal fluid from the inlet subassembly 426 to the volume 90. A fourth pump 340 ′ in communication with the volume 90 and connected to the fuel body 40 may then pump the fission product removal fluid into the porous nuclear fuel body 40. An outlet subassembly 427 is also provided to remove the fission product removal fluid from the porous nuclear fuel body 40. In this regard, the third pump 340 is operated to recover the fission product removal fluid from the nuclear fuel body 40 and flow into the fluid control subassembly 80. Nuclear fission product removal fluid then enters outlet subassembly 427. Another valve 427 ′ may be inserted between the outlet subassembly 427 and the fluid control subassembly 80 to control the flow of fission product removal fluid to the outlet subassembly 427. During operation, when the valve 427 'is closed and the valve 426' is open, the fission product removal fluid in the inlet subassembly 426 is pumped by the pump 340 'to the volume 90 and then to the fuel body ( 40) Inhaled into. When the fission product removal fluid is substantially depleted from the inlet subassembly 426, the pump 340 'stops. Next, valve 426 'is closed and valve 427' is open. The pump 340 then operates to suck the fission product removal fluid from the fuel body 40 into the volume 90. Nuclear fission product removal fluid is then introduced into outlet subassembly 427. If desired, a heat exchanger 355 may be inserted between the fluid control subassembly 80 and the outlet subassembly 427 to remove heat from the fluid.

Referring to FIG. 7C, the fluid control subassembly may instead include an inlet subassembly 426 coupled to the closure member 20. An optional pump 340a pumps the fission product removal fluid from the inlet subassembly 426 into the fuel body 40 via the pipes 426 ', 70a. Fission product removal fluid is withdrawn from fuel body 40 through pipe 70b and then flows to fluid control subassembly 80, as with other optional pumps 340b. From there, the fission product removal fluid is pumped by an optional pump 340c, so that the fission product removal fluid flows through the pipe 427 'to the outlet subassembly 427. If desired, some or all of the pumps 340a, 340b, 340c may be omitted. If desired, a heat exchanger 355 can be inserted between the fluid control subassembly 80 and the outlet subassembly 427 to remove heat from the fission product removal fluid.

Referring to FIG. 7D, the fluid control subassembly may instead include a plurality of outlet subassemblies 428a, 428b, 428c to receive fission product removal fluid from the porous nuclear fuel body 40 and the outlet subassembly. It may further include a plurality of pumps 429a, 429b, 429c coupled to each one of 412a, 428b, 428c. The pumps 429a, 429b, 429c are configured to pump fission product removal fluid into each of the outlet subassemblies 412a, 428b, 428c along the pipes 70a, 70b, 70c. Fission product removal fluid flows through pipe 71 to fluid control subassembly 80 due to the pumping action of pump 70 '. From there, the fission product removal fluid flows through the pipes 7427 'to the reservoir 427 due to the pumping action of the pump 429d. If desired, heat exchanger 355 may be inserted between fluid control subassembly 80 and outlet subassembly 427 to remove heat from the fluid.

Referring to FIG. 7E, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the seventh embodiment, generally designated 430, is shown to produce heat due to fission of fissile nuclides. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of this seventh embodiment is similar to the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the first embodiment except that there are a plurality of closure members 20a, 20b, and 20c. Each of the closure members 20a, 20b, 20c is connected to the fluid control subassembly 80 by each one of the plurality of pipe portions 72a, 72b, 72c. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 430 of the seventh embodiment operates in the same manner as the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 10 of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the eighth embodiment, generally designated 438. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 438 of this eighth embodiment is characterized in that the dual-purpose circuit 330 is replaced with a nuclear fission product flow path, generally designated 440, and a separate heat removal flow path, generally designated 450. And the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 290 of the fifth embodiment and the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly 420 of the sixth embodiment. The purpose of the heat removal flow path 450 is to remove heat from the fuel body 40. The purpose of the nuclear fission product flow path 440 is to remove and separate the volatile fission products 15 from the fuel body 40. The heat removal flow path 450 includes the aforementioned fluid control subassembly 80 that forms the first volume 90. The first volume 90 contains a fluid, such as helium, used to remove heat. The first pipe part 70 communicates with the fuel body 40 at one end of the first pipe part 70 and at the inlet of the third pump 340 at the other end of the first pipe part 70. Are integrally connected to. The outlet of the third pump 340 is connected to the sixth pipe part 350, which is in communication with the first volume 90. The second pipe part 200 communicates with the first volume 90 at one end of the second pipe part 200 and at the other end of the second pipe part 200 of the first pump 210. It is integrally connected to the entrance. The outlet of the first pump 210 is connected to the third pipe part 220, which is then in communication with the fuel body 40. In addition, the heat exchanger 355 is coupled to the third pipe portion 220 to remove heat from the fluid. Accordingly, the first pipe part 70, the third pump 340, the sixth pipe part 350, the fluid control subassembly 80, the second pipe part 200, the first pump 210, the third The pipe portion 220, the fuel body 40 itself and the heat exchanger 355 together form a heat removal flow path 450. As described in more detail below, the heat removal flow path 450 can circulate the heat removal fluid through the heat-exchanger 355 and the open-cell pores 50 of the fuel body 40, and thus the fuel body Heat is removed from 40.

Still referring to FIG. 8, the fission product flow path 440 includes a first flow pipe 460 having one end thereof in communication with the fuel body 40. The other end of the first flow pipe 460 is connected to the inlet of the fifth pump 470, which may be a centrifugal pump. The outlet of the fifth pump 470 is connected to the second flow pipe 480. The second flow pipe 480 communicates with the fourth volume 490 formed by the third fission product reservoir or holding tank 500. As described in more detail below, the fission product flow path 440 can remove and separate the fission product 15 from the fuel body 40.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the operation of heat removal flow path 450 for removing heat from fuel body 40 is described. In this regard, in order to remove heat from the fuel body 40, the first pump 210 and the third pump 340 are operated, which may be operated by the control unit 400. The first pump 210 draws a heat removal fluid, such as helium gas, from the first volume 90 formed by the fluid control subassembly 80 through the first pipe portion 200. The first pump 210 pumps the fluid through the third pipe part 220. Fluid flowing through the third pipe portion 220 is received by the plurality of (or multiple) open-cell pores 50 formed by the fuel body 40. The fluid received by the open-cell pores 50 obtains the heat generated by the fuel body 40. Heat is obtained by convective heat transfer as the fluid flows through the open-cell pores 50. As convective heat transfer takes place in the fuel body 40, the third pump 340 is operated as by the control unit 400. As the third pump 340 is operated, the fluid experiencing convective heat transfer in the fuel body 40 is withdrawn by the third pump 340 through the first pipe part 70 and then the third Pumped to first volume 90 by pump 340. Each of the first pump 210, the third pump 340, and the fourth pump 470 may be selectively operated by the control unit 400. The already mentioned heat exchanger 355, in which heat is transferred to the fluid flowing through the third pipe part 220, removes heat from the fluid. The pumps 340, 210 are selected such that the heat removal flow path 450 is performed by the pump 340 alone, by the pump 210 alone, or by the pumps 340 and 210 jointly. In other words, if either of the pumps 340, 210 is inoperative or otherwise unavailable, either one of the pumps 340, 210 will pump the heat removal fluid at a reduced but sufficient speed. .

Referring again to FIG. 8, the operation of the second flow path 440 for removal and separation of volatile fission product 15 from fuel body 40 is described. In this regard, the heat removal flow path 450 is deactivated such as by deactivating the pumps 210, 340. Next, as the fifth pump 470 is operated, the volatile fission product 15 is sucked into the first flow pipe 460 and then pumped into the second flow pipe 480. As volatile fission product 15 is pumped through second flow pipe 480, fluid enters fourth volume 490 formed by third fission product reservoir or holding tank 500. Thus, volatile fission product 15 is removed from fuel body 40 and retained in third fission product reservoir or holding tank 500 or for fission product in reservoir or holding tank 280 for subsequent external disposal. (15) may remain in its original position if desired. Fission product flow path 440 and heat removal flow path 450 may be operated simultaneously or sequentially if desired. Volatile fission product 15 can also move itself from open-cell pores 50 and vaporize due to the inherent volatiles of volatile fission product 15 without the aid of fifth pump 470. ) Can be introduced into. Thus, fission product flow path 440 can be implemented with or without pump 470. The fission product flow path 440 is one or more controllable shutoff valves (not shown) disposed in the flow path 440 and operably connected to the control unit 400 to further separate the fourth volume 490. ) Or non-return valves (also not shown) may be used.

9 and 10, a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 510 of a ninth embodiment is shown. In this ninth embodiment, the fuel assembly 510 includes a generally cylindrical closure member 515 having a closure wall 516 for closing the fuel body 40 therein. The fission product removal fluid having the volatile fission product 15 incorporated therein is sucked from the fuel body 40 into the fluid control subassembly 80 by the pump 340. A heat exchanger 355 may be provided in the pipe 220 to remove heat from the fluid. A potential advantage of using the cylindrical closure member 515 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles. The term "fuel profile" is defined herein to mean the geometry of fissile material, fissile material, and / or neutron moderator material.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is shown the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the tenth embodiment, generally designated 520. In this tenth embodiment, the fuel assembly 520 includes a generally spherical closure member 525 having a closure wall 526 therein for closing the fuel body 40 therein. A potential advantage of using the spherical closure member 525 is that the spherical shape reduces the amount of cladding or closure material 20 required. Another potential advantage of using the spherical closure member 525 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles.

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown the fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the eleventh embodiment, generally designated 530. In this tenth embodiment, the fuel assembly 530 includes a generally hemispherical closure member 540 having a closure wall 545 for closing the fuel body 40 therein. A potential advantage of using the hemispherical closure member 540 is that it can increase the packing density of the fuel assembly in the space 320 formed by the vessel 310. Another potential advantage of using the hemispherical closure member 540 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles.

13 and 14, a fuel assembly and system of a twelfth embodiment, generally designated 550, is shown. In this twelfth embodiment, the fuel assembly 550 includes a generally disc shaped closure member 560 having a closure wall 565 therein for closing the fuel body 40 therein. A potential advantage of using disk shaped closure member 560 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles.

15 and 16, there is shown the fuel assembly and system of the thirteenth embodiment, generally designated 570. In this thirteenth embodiment, the fuel assembly 570 includes a generally polygonal (in cross-section) closure member 580 having a closure wall 585 therein for closing the fuel body 40 therein. In this regard, the closing member 580 may have a hexagonal cross section. A potential advantage associated with the closure member 580 of polygonal cross section is that more fuel assemblies 570 can be filled in the space 320 of the vessel 310 than are allowed by many other geometries for the fuel assemblies. Is there. Another potential advantage of using the polygon closure member 580 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles.

Referring to Figures 17 and 18, there is shown the fuel assembly and system of the fourteenth embodiment, generally designated 590. In this fourteenth embodiment, the fuel assembly 590 includes a parallelepiped closure member 600 having closure walls 605 therein for closing the fuel body 40 therein. A potential advantage of using the parallelepiped closure member 600 is that it can increase the packing density of the fuel assembly in the space 320 of the vessel 310. Another potential advantage of using a parallelepiped closure member 600 is its usefulness in shaping fuel profiles.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is shown a fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the fifteenth embodiment, generally designated 610. In this regard, the fuel body 40 may include one or more fuel pellets 620 embedded therein. The fuel pellet 620 may serve as a high density fuel component for increasing the effective density of the fuel body 40.

Referring to FIG. 20, there is shown a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system of the sixteenth embodiment, generally designated 625. In this regard, the fluid control subassembly 80 is coupled to the plurality of closure members 20.

Example Methods

Exemplary methods related to the exemplary embodiments of the nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system 10, 100, 190, 230, 290, 420, 430, 510, 520, 530, 550, 570, 590, 610 and 625 are now described. do.

21A-21CQ, exemplary methods are provided for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system.

Referring to FIG. 21A, an exemplary method 630 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 640. At block 650, a closure member for closing the porous nuclear fuel body is provided. At block 660, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member 20 to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product at locations corresponding to the combustion wave. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. The method 630 stops at block 670.

Referring to FIG. 21B, an exemplary method 671 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 672. At block 673, a closure member for closing the nuclear fuel body is provided. At block 674, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 675, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. The method 671 stops at block 676.

Referring to FIG. 21C, an exemplary method 677 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 680. At block 690, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 700, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 710, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. At block 715, the control unit is coupled to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the power level in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 677 stops at block 720.

Referring to FIG. 21D, an exemplary method 730 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 740. At block 750, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 760, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 770, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. At block 780, the control unit is coupled to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the neutron density level in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 730 stops at block 790.

Referring to FIG. 21E, an exemplary method 800 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 810. At block 820, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 830, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 840, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. At block 850, the control unit is coupled to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 800 stops at block 860.

Referring to FIG. 21F, an exemplary method 870 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 880. At block 890, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 900, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 910, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. At block 920, the control unit is coupled to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the time schedule associated with the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 870 stops at block 930.

Referring to FIG. 21G, an exemplary method 940 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 950. At block 960, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 970, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 980, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. At block 990, the control unit is coupled to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the amount of time the nuclear fission reactor has been operated. The method 940 stops at block 1000.

Referring to FIG. 21H, an exemplary method 1010 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1020. At block 1030, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1040, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1050, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body. The method 1010 stops at block 1060.

Referring to FIG. 21I, an exemplary method 1070 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1080. At block 1090, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1100, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1110, a closure member is provided for closing the fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 1070 stops at block 1120.

Referring to FIG. 21J, an exemplary method 1130 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1140. At block 1150, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 1160, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1170, a closure member is provided for closing the fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 1130 stops at block 1180.

Referring to FIG. 21K, an exemplary method 1190 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1200. At block 1210, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1220, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product, as mentioned above. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1230, a closure member is provided to close the fissile and fissable material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 1190 stops at block 1240.

Referring to FIG. 21L, an exemplary method 1250 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1260. At block 1270, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 1280, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1290, a closure member is provided to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the power level in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 1250 stops at block 1300.

Referring to FIG. 21M, an exemplary method 1310 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1320. At block 1330, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 1340, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1350, a closure member is provided to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to neutron density levels in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 1310 stops at block 1360.

Referring to FIG. 21N, an exemplary method 1370 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1380. At block 1390, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1400, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1410, a closure member is provided to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 1370 stops at block 1420.

Referring to FIG. 21O, an exemplary method 1430 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1440. At block 1450, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 1460, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1470, a closure member is provided to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the time schedule associated with the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 1430 stops at block 1480.

Referring to FIG. 21P, an exemplary method 1490 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1500. At block 1510, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1520, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product, as mentioned above. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1530, a closure member is provided to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the amount of time the traveling wave fission reactor has been continuously operated. The method 1490 stops at block 1540.

Referring to FIG. 21Q, an exemplary method 1550 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1560. At block 1570, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 1580, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1590, the closure member is provided for closing the porous nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam forming a plurality of pores. The method 1550 stops at block 1600.

Referring to FIG. 21R, an exemplary method 1610 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1620. At block 1630, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1640, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1650, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body forming the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution. The method 1610 stops at block 1660.

Referring to FIG. 21S, an exemplary method 1670 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1680. At block 1690, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1700, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1710, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 1670 stops at block 1720.

Referring to FIG. 21T, an exemplary method 1730 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1740. At block 1750, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1760, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product, as mentioned above. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1770, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. At block 1780, a closure member is provided for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles forming a plurality of channels therebetween. The method 1730 stops at block 1790.

Referring to FIG. 21U, an exemplary method 1800 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1810. At block 1820, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1830, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1840, a closure member is provided for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, wherein at least one of the pores indicates that at least a portion of the volatile fission product exits the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time. It is of a predetermined configuration to allow. The method 1880 stops at block 1850.

Referring to FIG. 21V, an exemplary method 1860 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1870. At block 1880, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1890, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1900, the closure member includes a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 10 seconds and about 1,000 seconds. It is provided to close it. The method 1860 stops at block 1910.

Referring to FIG. 21W, an exemplary method 1920 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1930. At block 1940, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1950, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1960, the closure member has a fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to escape within a predetermined response time between about 1 second and 1,000 seconds. The method 1920 stops at block 1970.

Referring to FIG. 21X, an exemplary method 1971 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1972. At block 1973, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 1974, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 1975, a closure member is provided for sealingly closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical geometry. The method 1971 stops at block 1976.

Referring to FIG. 21Y, an exemplary method 1980 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1990. At block 2000, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 2010, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2020, a closure member is provided for sealingly closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal geometry. The method 1980 stops at block 2030.

Referring to FIG. 21Z, an exemplary method 2040 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2050. At block 2060, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2070, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product, as mentioned above. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2080, a closure member is provided to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores in order to obtain the volatile fission product released by the combustion wave in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 2040 stops at block 2090.

Referring to FIG. 21AA, an exemplary method 2100 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2110. At block 2120, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 2130, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2140, a closure member is provided for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for transporting the volatile fission product through the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2100 stops at block 2150.

Referring to FIG. 21AB, an exemplary method 2160 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2170. At block 2180, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2190, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2200, a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product. The method 2160 stops at block 2210.

Referring to FIG. 21AC, an exemplary method 2220 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2230. At block 2240, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2250, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2260, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the location of the combustion waves in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 2220 stops at block 2270.

Referring to FIG. 21AD, an exemplary method 2280 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2290. At block 2300, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 2310, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2320, the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is combined during removal from the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2280 stops at block 2330.

Referring to FIG. 21AE, an exemplary method 2340 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2350. At block 2360, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner described above. At block 2370, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. In block 2380, the fluid control subassembly is configured such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and the fluid control subassembly circulates the nuclear fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is combined during removal from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 2390, an inlet subassembly is provided to supply fission product removal fluid to the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2340 stops at block 2400.

Referring to FIG. 21AF, an exemplary method 2410 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2420. At block 2430, a closure member is provided that closes the nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2440, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. In block 2450, the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body such that the fission fuel assembly is configured for circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is combined during removal from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 2460, an outlet subassembly is provided to remove fission product removal fluid from the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2410 stops at block 2470.

Referring to FIG. 21AG, an exemplary method 2480 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2490. At block 2500, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2510, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2520, the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body such that the fission fuel assembly is configured for circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is combined during removal from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 2530, a reservoir is provided to receive the fission product removal fluid. The method 2480 stops at block 2540.

Referring to FIG. 21AH, an exemplary method 2550 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2560. At block 2570, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2580, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. In block 2590, the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is combined during removal from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 2600, the reservoir is combined to supply fission product removal fluid. The method 2550 stops at block 2610.

Referring to FIG. 21AI, an exemplary method 2620 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2630. At block 2640, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2650, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2660, the fluid control subassembly is configured such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the gas fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body and wherein at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2620 stops at block 2670.

Referring to FIG. 21AJ, an exemplary method 2680 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2690. At block 2700, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2710, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2720, the fluid control subassembly is coupled such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the liquid through the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2680 stops at block 2730.

Referring to FIG. 21AK, an exemplary method 2740 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2750. At block 2760, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2770, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2780, the method includes coupling a pump. The method 2740 stops at block 2790.

Referring to FIG. 21AL, an exemplary method 2800 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2810. At block 2820, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2830, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2840, a pump is integrally coupled to the fluid control subassembly to circulate fluid between the fluid control subassembly and the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 2800 stops at block 2850.

Referring to FIG. 21AM, an exemplary method 2860 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2870. At block 2880, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2890, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2900, the method includes engaging the valve. The method 2860 stops at block 2910.

Referring to FIG. 21AN, an exemplary method 2920 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2930. At block 2940, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 2950, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 2960, a valve is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly to control the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 2920 stops at block 2970.

Referring to FIG. 21AO, an exemplary method 2980 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 2990. At block 3000, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 3010, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 3020, a valve is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly to control the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. At block 3030, a non-return valve is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 2980 stops at block 3040.

Referring to FIG. 21AP, an exemplary method 3050 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3060. At block 3070, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 3080, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 3090, the method includes combining a barrier that can be controllably destroyed. The method 3050 stops at block 3100.

Referring to FIG. 21AQ, an exemplary method 3110 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3120. At block 3130, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 3140, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 3150, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 3110 stops at block 3160.

Referring to FIG. 21AR, an exemplary method 3170 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3180. At block 3190, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 3200, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 3210, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. At block 3220, a breakable barrier at a predetermined pressure is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 3170 stops at block 3230.

Referring to FIG. 21AS, an exemplary method 3240 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3250. At block 3260, a closure member is provided that closes the porous nuclear fuel body in the manner previously mentioned. At block 3270, as mentioned above, a fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to remove at least a portion of the volatile fission product. The fluid control subassembly controls fluid flow in regions of the reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to combustion waves. At block 3280, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. At block 3290, a breakable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly by operator action. The method 3240 stops at block 3300.

Referring to FIG. 21AT, an exemplary method 3310 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3320. At block 3330, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3340, the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. The method 3310 stops at block 3350.

Referring to FIG. 21AU, an exemplary method 3360 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3370. At block 3380, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3390, traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. At block 3400, a control unit is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to control the operation of the fluid control subassembly. The method 3360 stops at block 3410.

Referring to FIG. 21AV, an exemplary method 3420 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3430. At block 3440, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3450, the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. At block 3460, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body. The method 3420 stops at block 3470.

Referring to FIG. 21AW, an exemplary method 3480 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3490. At block 3500, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3510, the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. At block 3520, the closure member is provided to close the fissile material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3480 stops at block 3530.

Referring to FIG. 21AX, an exemplary method 3540 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3550. At block 3560, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 3570, the traveling wave fission reactor is controlled by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. At block 3580, a closure member is provided for closing the fissable material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3540 stops at block 3590.

Referring to FIG. 21AY, an exemplary method 3600 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3610. At block 3620, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3630, the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly is coupled to the closure member to control the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a position corresponding to the combustion wave of the fuel cell. At block 3640, a closure member is provided to close the mixture of fissile and fissable material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 3600 stops at block 3650.

Referring to FIG. 21AZ, an exemplary method 3660 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3670. At block 3680, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3690, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. In block 3700, the fluid control subassembly is coupled to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the location of the combustion waves in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 3660 stops at block 3710.

Referring to FIG. 21BA, an exemplary method 3720 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3730. At block 3740, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3750, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 3760, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to power levels in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 3720 stops at block 3770.

Referring to FIG. 21BB, an exemplary method 3780 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3790. At block 3800, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3810, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 3820, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to neutron density levels in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 3780 stops at block 3830.

Referring to FIG. 21BC, an exemplary method 3840 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3850. At block 3860, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3870, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 3880, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 3840 stops at block 3890.

Referring to FIG. 21BD, an exemplary method 3900 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3910. At block 3920, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3930, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 3940, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the time schedule associated with the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 3900 stops at block 3950.

Referring to FIG. 21BE, an exemplary method 3960 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 3970. At block 3980, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 3900, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4000, the fluid control subassembly is combined to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the amount of time the traveling wave fission reactor has been operated. The method 3960 stops at block 4010.

Referring to FIG. 21BF, an exemplary method 4020 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4030. At block 4040, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4050, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4060, a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product. The method 4020 stops at block 4070.

Referring to FIG. 21BG, an exemplary method 4080 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4090. At block 4100, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4110, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4120, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the nuclear fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is bound to remove from the pores of the sieve. The method 4080 stops at block 4130.

Referring to FIG. 21BH, an exemplary method 4140 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4150. At block 4160, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4170, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4175, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the nuclear fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is bound to remove from the pores of the sieve. At block 4180, an inlet subassembly is provided to supply fission product removal fluid to the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 4140 stops at block 4190.

Referring to FIG. 21BI, an exemplary method 4200 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4210. At block 4220, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4230, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4240, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the nuclear fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is bound to remove from the pores of the sieve. At block 4250, an outlet subassembly is provided to supply fission product removal fluid to the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 4200 stops at block 4260.

Referring to FIG. 21BJ, an exemplary method 4270 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4280. At block 4290, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4300, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4310, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the is coupled to remove from the nuclear fuel body. The method 4270 stops at block 4320.

Referring to FIG. 21BK, an exemplary method 4330 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4340. At block 4350, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4360, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. In block 4370, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the is coupled to remove from the nuclear fuel body. At block 4380, a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the heat removal fluid. The method 4330 stops at block 4390.

Referring to FIG. 21BL, an exemplary method 4400 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4410. At block 4420, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 4430, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4440, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the is coupled to remove from the nuclear fuel body. At block 4450, a reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to supply heat removal fluid. The method 4400 stops at block 4460.

Referring to FIG. 21BM, an exemplary method 4470 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4480. At block 4490, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4500, the closing member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4510, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the is coupled to remove from the nuclear fuel body. At block 4520, a heat sink is coupled to the fluid control subassembly such that the heat sink is in heat transfer fluid and heat transfer fluid to remove heat from the heat removal fluid. The method 4470 stops at block 4530.

Referring to FIG. 21BN, an exemplary method 4540 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4550. At block 4560, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4570, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4580, the fluid control subassembly configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the is coupled to remove from the nuclear fuel body. At block 4590, a heat exchanger is coupled to the fluid control subassembly such that the heat exchanger is in heat transfer with the heat removal fluid to remove heat from the heat removal fluid. The method 4540 stops at block 4600.

Referring to FIG. 21BO, an exemplary method 4610 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4620. At block 4630, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4640, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4650, the fluid control subassembly is combined to circulate the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid simultaneously. The method 4610 stops at block 4660.

Referring to FIG. 21BP, an exemplary method 4670 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4680. At block 4690, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4700, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4710, the fluid control subassembly is combined to sequentially circulate the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid. The method 4670 stops at block 4720.

Referring to FIG. 21BQ, an exemplary method 4730 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4740. At block 4750, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4760, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4770, a pump is integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly to pump fluid from the fluid control subassembly into the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 4730 stops at block 4780.

Referring to FIG. 21BR, an exemplary method 4790 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4800. At block 4810, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4820, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4830, the method includes coupling the pump. The method 4790 stops at block 4840.

Referring to FIG. 21BS, an exemplary method 4850 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4860. At block 4870, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4880, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4890, the fission product reservoir is coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive the volatile fission product. The method 4850 stops at block 4900.

Referring to FIG. 21BT, an exemplary method 4910 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4920. At block 4930, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 4940, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 4950, a plurality of first components are combined such that the fluid control subassembly can circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, such that the fluid control subassembly is nuclear fission through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body during circulating the product removal fluid. The method 4910 stops at block 4960.

Referring to FIG. 21BU, an exemplary method 4970 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 4980. At block 4990, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5000, the closing member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5010, a plurality of first components are combined such that the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, such that the fluid control subassembly is nuclear fission through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body during circulating the product removal fluid. At block 5020, a plurality of second components are coupled such that the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body such that the fluid control subassembly removes heat through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating fluid. The method 4970 stops at block 5030.

Referring to FIG. 21BV, an exemplary method 5040 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5050. At block 5060, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5070, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5080, a plurality of first components are combined such that the fluid control subassembly can circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, such that the fluid control subassembly is nuclear fission through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body during circulating the product removal fluid. At block 5090, a plurality of second components are coupled such that the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body such that the fluid control subassembly removes heat through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating fluid. At block 5100, the method includes operatively combining the first and second components, wherein at least one of the first components and at least one of the second components are the same. The method 5040 stops at block 5110.

Referring to FIG. 21BW, an exemplary method 5120 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5130. At block 5140, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5150, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5160, the method includes combining a dual purpose circuit to selectively remove fission products and heat from the nuclear fuel body. The method 5120 stops at block 5170.

Referring to FIG. 21BX, an exemplary method 5180 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5190. At block 5200, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5210, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5220, the fluid control subassembly couples the nuclear fission fuel assembly to be configured to circulate gas from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 5180 stops at block 5230.

Referring to FIG. 21BY, an exemplary method 5240 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5250. At block 5260, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5270, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5280, the fluid control subassembly combines the nuclear fission fuel assembly to be configured to circulate the liquid from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 5240 stops at block 5290.

Referring to FIG. 21BZ, an exemplary method 5300 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5310. At block 5320, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5330, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5340, the closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam forming a plurality of pores. The method 5300 stops at block 5350.

Referring to FIG. 21CA, an exemplary method 5260 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5370. At block 5380, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5390, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5400, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 5560 stops at block 5410.

Referring to FIG. 21CB, an exemplary method 5520 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5430. At block 5440, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5450, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5460, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. At block 5470, a closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles forming a plurality of channels therebetween. The method 5520 stops at block 5480.

Referring to FIG. 21CC, an exemplary method 5490 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5500. At block 5510, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5520, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5530, the closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body forming the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially nonuniform distribution. The method 5490 stops at block 5540.

Referring to FIG. 21CD, an exemplary method 5550 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5560. At block 5570, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5550, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5590, the closure member is provided to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to obtain the volatile fission product released by the combustion wave in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 5550 stops at block 5600.

Referring to FIG. 21CE, an exemplary method 5610 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5620. At block 5630, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5640, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5650, a closure member is provided for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, wherein at least one of the plurality of pores exits the porous nuclear fuel body within at least a portion of the volatile fission product within a predetermined response time. It is of a predetermined configuration to allow it to exit. The method 5610 stops at block 5660.

Referring to FIG. 21CF, an exemplary method 5670 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5680. At block 5690, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5700, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5710, the closure member includes a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 10 seconds and about 1,000 seconds. It is provided to close it. The method 5670 stops at block 5720.

Referring to FIG. 21CG, an exemplary method 5730 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5740. At block 5750, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5560, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5700, the closure member includes a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 1 second and about 10,000 seconds. It is provided to close it. The method 5730 stops at block 5580.

Referring to FIG. 21CH, an exemplary method 5790 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5800. At block 5810, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5820, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5830, the closure member is provided for closing the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores for transporting the volatile fission product through the nuclear fuel body. The method 5790 stops at block 5840.

Referring to FIG. 21CI, an exemplary method 5850 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5560. At block 5870, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5580, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5890, a closure member is provided for sealingly closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical geometry. The method 5850 stops at block 5900.

Referring to FIG. 21CJ, an exemplary method 5910 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5920. At block 5930, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 5940, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 5950, the closure member is provided for sealingly closing the porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal geometry. The method 5910 stops at block 5960.

Referring to FIG. 21CK, an exemplary method 5970 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 5980. At block 5990, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6000, the closing member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6010, the method includes engaging a valve. The method 5970 stops at block 6020.

Referring to FIG. 21CL, an exemplary method 6030 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6040. At block 6050, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6060, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6070, a valve is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly to control the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 6030 stops at block 6080.

Referring to FIG. 21CM, an exemplary method 6090 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6100. At block 6110, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6120, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6130, a valve is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly to control the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. At block 6140, the method includes inserting a non-return valve. Method 6190 stops at block 6150.

Referring to FIG. 21CN, an exemplary method 6160 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6170. At block 6180, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6190, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6200, the method includes combining a barrier that can be controllably destroyed. The method 6160 stops at block 6210.

Referring to FIG. 21CO, an exemplary method 6220 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6230. At block 6240, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6250, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6260, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 6220 stops at block 6270.

Referring to FIG. 21CP, an exemplary method 6280 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6290. At block 6300, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 6310, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6320, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. At block 6330, the method includes inserting a controllably breakable barrier at a predetermined pressure. The method 6280 stops at block 6340.

Referring to FIG. 21CQ, an exemplary method 6350 for assembling a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6360. At block 6370, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 6380, the closure member for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body as mentioned above. To the fluid control subassembly. At block 6290, a controllably breakable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. In block 6400, the method includes inserting a controllably breakable barrier by operation of an operator. It includes. The method 6350 stops at block 6410.

Referring to FIG. 22A, an exemplary method is provided for removal of volatile fission products at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves. In this regard, an exemplary method 6620 for the removal of volatile fission products begins at block 6630. At block 6640, removal of volatile fission products is controlled at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. do. The method 6420 stops at block 6650.

With reference to FIGS. 23A-23CK, exemplary methods for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system are provided.

Referring to FIG. 23A, an exemplary method 6560 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6070. At block 6680, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. At block 6290, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. The method 6460 stops at block 6500.

Referring to FIG. 23B, an exemplary method 6510 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6520. At block 6630, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 6540, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6550, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 6510 stops at block 6560.

Referring to FIG. 23C, an exemplary method 6050 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6680. At block 6590, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 6600, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6610, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6620, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the power level in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 6708 stops at block 6630.

Referring to FIG. 23D, an exemplary method 6640 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6650. At block 6660, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. At block 6704, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6680, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6690, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to neutron density levels in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. The method 6640 stops at block 6700.

Referring to FIG. 23E, an exemplary method 6710 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6720. At block 6730, a closure member for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein is used. In block 6740, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6750, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6560, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 6710 stops at block 6970.

Referring to FIG. 23F, an exemplary method 6780 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6790. At block 6800, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 6810, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6820, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6830, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the time schedule associated with the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 6780 stops at block 6840.

Referring to FIG. 23G, an exemplary method 6850 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6860. At block 6704, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 6880, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6690, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6900, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating the control unit to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the amount of time the traveling wave fission reactor has been operated. The method 6850 stops at block 6910.

Referring to FIG. 23H, an exemplary method 6920 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 6930. At block 6940, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 6950, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 6690, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. At block 6960, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 6920 stops at block 6970.

Referring to FIG. 23I, an exemplary method 6980 starts at block 6900 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly. At block 7000, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7010, a volatile fission product from a porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7020, the closure member is used to close the fissile material that forms the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 6980 stops at block 7030.

Referring to FIG. 23J, an exemplary method 7040 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7050. At block 7060, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7070, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7080, the closure member is used to close the fissable material that forms the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 7040 stops at block 7090.

Referring to FIG. 23K, an exemplary method 7100 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7110. At block 7120, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 7130, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7140, the closure member is used to close the mixture of fissile and fissile material that forms the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 7100 stops at block 7150.

Referring to FIG. 23L, an exemplary method 7160 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7170. At block 7180, a closure member for closing the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein is used. In block 7190, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7200, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the location of the combustion waves in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 7160 stops at block 7210.

Referring to FIG. 23M, an exemplary method 7220 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7230. At block 7240, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7250, a volatile fission product from a porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7260, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam forming a plurality of pores. The method 7120 stops at block 7270.

 Referring to FIG. 23N, an exemplary method 7280 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7290. At block 7300, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7310, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7320, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body forming the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution. The method 7280 stops at block 7130.

Referring to FIG. 23O, an exemplary method 7340 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7350. At block 7260, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7370, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7380, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 7340 stops at block 7290.

Referring to FIG. 23P, an exemplary method 7400 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7410. At block 7420, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7430, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7440, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. At block 7450, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles that form a plurality of channels therebetween. The method 7400 stops at block 7460.

Referring to FIG. 23Q, an exemplary method 7470 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7480. At block 7290, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7500, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7510, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, at least one of the pores allowing at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time. In order to achieve a predetermined configuration. The method 7470 stops at block 7520.

Referring to FIG. 23R, an exemplary method 7530 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7750. At block 7750, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 7560, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7750, the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit within a predetermined response time between about 10 seconds and about 1,000 seconds. Used. The method 7730 stops at block 7580.

Referring to FIG. 23S, an exemplary method 7590 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7700. At block 7610, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. At block 7620, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7630, the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit within a predetermined response time between about 1 second and about 10,000 seconds. Used. The method 7590 stops at block 7740.

Referring to FIG. 23T, an exemplary method 7650 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7560. At block 7670, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. At block 7680, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7790, the closure member is used to sealally close the porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical geometry. The method 7750 stops at block 7700.

Referring to FIG. 23U, an exemplary method 7710 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7720. At block 7730, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7740, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7750, the closure member is used to sealally close the porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal geometry. The method 7710 stops at block 7770.

Referring to FIG. 23V, an exemplary method 7780 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7780. At block 7790, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7800, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7810, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to obtain the volatile fission product released by the combustion wave in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 7780 stops at block 7820.

Referring to FIG. 23W, an exemplary method 7830 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7840. At block 7850, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7860, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7780, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 7830 stops at block 7780.

Referring to FIG. 23X, an exemplary method 7790 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7900. At block 7910, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7920, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7930, the volatile fission product is received in a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 7790 stops at block 7940.

Referring to FIG. 23Y, an exemplary method 7950 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 7960. At block 7970, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 7780, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 7790, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that the volatile fission product is circulated while the fluid control subassembly is circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 7950 stops at block 8000.

Referring to FIG. 23Z, an exemplary method 8010 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8020. At block 8030, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8040, a volatile fission product from a porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8050, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that the volatile fission product is circulated while the fluid control subassembly is circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 8060, the fission product removal fluid is supplied to the porous nuclear fuel body using an inlet subassembly. The method 8010 stops at block 8070.

Referring to FIG. 23AA, an exemplary method 8080 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8090. At block 8100, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8110, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8120, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that the volatile fission product is circulated while the fluid control subassembly is circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 8130, the fission product removal fluid is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body using the outlet subassembly. The method 8080 stops at block 8140.

Referring to FIG. 23AB, an exemplary method 8150 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8160. At block 8170, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 8180, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8190, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that the volatile fission product is circulated while the fluid control subassembly is circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 8200, the fission product removal fluid is received in a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 8150 stops at block 8210.

Referring to FIG. 23AC, an exemplary method 8220 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8230. At block 8240, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8250, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. In block 8260, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, so that the volatile nuclear fission while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. At block 8270, the fission product removal fluid is supplied from a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 8220 stops at block 8280.

Referring to FIG. 23AD, an exemplary method 8290 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8300. At block 8310, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8320, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8330, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate gas through the pores of the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 8290 stops at block 8340.

Referring to FIG. 23AE, an exemplary method 8350 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8260. At block 8370, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 8380, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8290, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the liquid through the pores of the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 8350 stops at block 8400.

Referring to FIG. 23AF, an exemplary method 8410 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8420. At block 8830, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 8840, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8850, the method includes operating the pump. Method 8810 stops at block 8260.

Referring to FIG. 23AG, an exemplary method 8070 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8280. At block 8290, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8500, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8510, fluid is circulated between the fluid control subassembly and the porous nuclear fuel body by operating a pump integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly. The method 8070 stops at block 8520.

Referring to FIG. 23AH, an exemplary method 8230 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8540. At block 8850, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8560, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8070, the method includes operating the valve. The method 8730 stops at block 8850.

Referring to FIG. 23AI, an exemplary method 8590 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8800. At block 8610, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8620, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. In block 8630, the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by actuating a valve inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 8590 stops at block 8840.

Referring to FIG. 23AJ, an exemplary method 8650 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8860. At block 8670, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8880, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8690, the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by actuating a valve inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. In block 8700, the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by actuating the non-return valve. The method 8850 stops at block 8710.

Referring to FIG. 23AK, an exemplary method 8720 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8730. At block 8740, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8750, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in the plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8860, the method includes operating a barrier that can be controllably destroyed. The method 8720 stops at block 8970.

Referring to FIG. 23AL, an exemplary method 8780 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8970. At block 8800, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having volatile fission products therein. In block 8810, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8820, a controllable breakable barrier inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is used. The method 8880 stops at block 8830.

Referring to FIG. 23AM, an exemplary method 8840 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8850. At block 8860, a closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. At block 8870, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8880, a controllably destructible barrier inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is used. At block 8890, a breakable barrier at a predetermined pressure is used. The method 8840 stops at block 8900.

Referring to FIG. 23AN, an exemplary method 8910 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8920. At block 8930, a closure member is used that closes the porous nuclear fuel body with volatile fission products therein. In block 8940, the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the traveling wave fission reactor by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to the plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the. At block 8850, a controllable breakable barrier inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is used. At block 8960, a barrier that is breakable by the operator's operation is used. The method 8910 stops at block 8970.

Referring to FIG. 23AO, an exemplary method 8980 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 8900. At block 9000, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9010, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. The method 8980 stops at block 9020.

Referring to FIG. 23AP, an exemplary method 9030 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9040. At block 9050, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9060, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9070, operation of the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a control unit coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 9030 stops at block 9080.

Referring to FIG. 23AQ, an exemplary method 9090 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9100. At block 9110, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9120, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9130, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body. The method 9090 stops at block 9140.

Referring to FIG. 23AR, an exemplary method 9150 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9160. At block 9170, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9180, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9190, the closure member is used to close the fissile material that forms the nuclear fuel body. The method 9150 stops at block 9200.

Referring to FIG. 23AS, an exemplary method 9210 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9220. At block 9230, a closure member is provided to close the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9240, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9250, the closure member is used to close the fissable material forming the nuclear fuel body. The method 9210 stops at block 9260.

Referring to FIG. 23AT, an exemplary method 9270 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9280. At block 9290, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9300, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9310, the closure member is used to close the mixture of fissile and fissable material forming the porous nuclear fuel body. The method 9070 stops at block 9320.

Referring to FIG. 23AU, an exemplary method 9330 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9340. At block 9350, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9360, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9370, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the location of the combustion wave in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 9330 stops at block 9380.

Referring to FIG. 23AV, an exemplary method 9290 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9400. At block 9410, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9420, traveling waves by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9430, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to power levels in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 9390 stops at block 9440.

Referring to FIG. 23AW, an exemplary method 9050 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9460. At block 9970, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9980, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9290, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to neutron density levels in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 9450 stops at block 9500.

Referring to FIG. 23AX, an exemplary method 9510 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9520. At block 9930, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9540, traveling waves by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 9950, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 9510 stops at block 9560.

Referring to FIG. 23AY, an exemplary method 9570 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9580. At block 9590, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9600, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9610, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of volatile fission products in response to the time schedule associated with the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 9570 stops at block 9620.

Referring to FIG. 23AZ, an exemplary method 9630 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9940. At block 9950, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9960, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 9970, the fluid control subassembly is used to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the amount of time the traveling wave fission reactor has been operated. The method 9630 stops at block 9980.

Referring to FIG. 23BA, an exemplary method 9290 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9700. At block 9710, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9720, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9930, the volatile fission product is received in a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 9690 stops at block 9940.

Referring to FIG. 23BB, an exemplary method 9950 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9970. At block 9970, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9780, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 9970, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 9950 stops at block 9800.

Referring to FIG. 23BC, an exemplary method 9810 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9820. At block 9830, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9940, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9950, a fluid control subassembly is used such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly circulates the nuclear fission product removal fluid comprising supplying the fission product removal fluid to the pores of the nuclear fuel body using the inlet subassembly. It is composed. The method 9810 stops at block 9960.

Referring to FIG. 23BD, an exemplary method 9070 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9980. At block 9990, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 9900, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9910, a fluid control subassembly is used, such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly circulates the fission product removal fluid comprising removing the fission product removal fluid from the pores of the nuclear fuel body using the outlet subassembly. It is composed. The method 9970 stops at block 9920.

Referring to FIG. 23BE, an exemplary method 9930 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 9940. At block 9950, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 9960, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 9970, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that the fluid control subassembly is heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating. The method 9930 stops at block 9980.

Referring to FIG. 23BF, an exemplary method 9900 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10000. In block 10010, a closure member is provided for closing a heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10020, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10030, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that the fluid control subassembly is heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating. At block 10040, the heat removal fluid is received in a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 9900 stops at block 10050.

Referring to FIG. 23BG, an exemplary method 10060 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10070. At block 10080, a closure member is provided for closing a heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10090, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10100, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that the fluid control subassembly is heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating. At block 10110, the heat removal fluid is supplied from a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly. The method 10060 stops at block 10120.

Referring to FIG. 23BH, an exemplary method 10130 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10140. At block 10150, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10160, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 10170, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that the fluid control subassembly is heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating. At block 10180, heat is removed from the heat removal fluid using a heat sink coupled to the fluid control subassembly such that the heat sink is in heat transfer with the heat removal fluid. The method 10130 stops at block 10190.

Referring to FIG. 23BI, an exemplary method 10200 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10210. At block 10220, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10230, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10240, the fluid control subassembly is used such that the nuclear fission fuel assembly is configured to circulate the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, so that the fluid control subassembly is heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body during circulating. At block 10250, heat is removed from the heat removal fluid using a heat exchanger coupled to the fluid control subassembly, such that the heat exchanger is in heat transfer with the heat removal fluid. The method 10200 stops at block 10260.

Referring to FIG. 23BJ, an exemplary method 10270 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10280. At block 10290, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10300, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 10310, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid at the same time. The method 10270 stops at block 10311.

Referring to FIG. 23BK, an exemplary method 10312 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10313. At block 10314, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10315, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 10316, the fluid control subassembly is used to sequentially cycle the fission product removal fluid and the heat removal fluid. The method 10312 stops at block 10317.

Referring to FIG. 23BL, an exemplary method 10318 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10319. At block 10320, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10330, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10340, the method includes operating the pump. The method 10318 stops at block 10350.

Referring to FIG. 23BM, an exemplary method 10360 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10370. At block 10380, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10390, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10400, fluid is pumped between the pores of the fluid control subassembly and the nuclear fuel body by operating a pump integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly. The method 10360 stops at block 10410.

Referring to FIG. 23BN, an exemplary method 10420 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10430. At block 10440, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10450, traveling waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10460, a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply the fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, such that the fluid control subassembly passes through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. Circulating the removal fluid so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is obtained by the pores of the nuclear fuel body and the nuclear fuel while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. It is removed from the pores of the sieve. The method 10420 stops at block 10470.

Referring to FIG. 23BO, an exemplary method 10480 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10490. At block 10500, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10510, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10520, a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply the fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, such that the fluid control subassembly passes through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. Circulating the removal fluid so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is obtained by the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, and the nuclear fuel It is removed from the pores of the sieve. In block 10530, a plurality of second components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly such that the fluid control subassembly is heat removed through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. Can be circulated, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 10480 stops at block 10540.

Referring to FIG. 23BP, an exemplary method 10550 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10560. At block 10570, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10580, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10590, a plurality of first components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply the fission product removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly, such that the fluid control subassembly passes through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. Circulating the removal fluid so that at least a portion of the volatile fission product is obtained by the pores of the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the fission product removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body, and the nuclear fuel It is removed from the pores of the sieve. At block 10600, a plurality of second components coupled to the fluid control subassembly are used to supply heat removal fluid to the fluid control subassembly such that the fluid control subassembly is heat removed through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. Can be circulated, so that at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body is removed from the nuclear fuel body while the fluid control subassembly circulates the heat removal fluid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. At block 10610, the first and second components are used such that at least one first component and at least one second component are the same. The method 10550 stops at block 10620.

Referring to FIG. 23BQ, an exemplary method 10630 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10640. At block 10650, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10660, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10670, a dual purpose circuit coupled to the closure member is used to selectively remove fission products and heat from the nuclear fuel body. The method 10630 stops at block 10680.

Referring to FIG. 23BR, an exemplary method 10690 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10700. At block 10710, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10720, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10730, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the gas through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 10690 stops at block 10740.

Referring to FIG. 23BS, an exemplary method 10750 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10760. At block 10770, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10780, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10790, the fluid control subassembly is used to circulate the liquid through the pores of the nuclear fuel body. The method 10750 stops at block 10800.

Referring to FIG. 23BT, an exemplary method 10810 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10820. At block 10830, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 10840, the traveling wave is controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10850, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body in the form of a foam forming a plurality of pores. The method 10810 stops at block 10860.

Referring to FIG. 23BU, an exemplary method 10870 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10880. At block 10890, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10900, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10110, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. The method 10870 stops at block 10920.

Referring to FIG. 23BV, an exemplary method 10930 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 10940. At block 10950, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 10960, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 10970, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of channels. At block 10980, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles forming a plurality of channels therebetween. The method 10930 stops at block 10990.

Referring to FIG. 23BW, an exemplary method 11000 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1110. At block 1120, a closure member is provided for closing a heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 1110, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11040, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body forming the plurality of pores, the plurality of pores having a spatially non-uniform distribution. The method 11000 stops at block 11050.

 Referring to FIG. 23BX, an exemplary method 111060 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11070. At block 11080, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 11090, traveling waves by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1100, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to obtain the volatile fission product released by the combustion wave in the traveling wave fission reactor. The method 11090 stops at block 11110.

Referring to FIG. 23BY, an exemplary method 11120 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11130. At block 11140, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 11150, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least some of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11160, the closure member is used to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, and the one or more pores allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time. In order to achieve a predetermined configuration. The method 11120 stops at block 11170.

Referring to FIG. 23BZ, an exemplary method 1180 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11190. At block 1 1 200, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 1112, traveling waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1120, the closure member includes a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 10 seconds and about 1,000 seconds. Used to close the The method 11180 stops at block 11230.

Referring to FIG. 23CA, an exemplary method 11240 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11250. At block 11260, a closure member is provided for closing a heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 11270, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. In block 11280, the closure member includes a porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 1 second and about 10,000 seconds. Used to close the The method 11240 stops at block 11290.

Referring to FIG. 23CB, an exemplary method 11300 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11310. At block 1320, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 11330, traveling waves by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11340, the closure member is used to close the nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores to transport the volatile fission product through the nuclear fuel body. The method 11300 stops at block 11350.

Referring to FIG. 23CC, an exemplary method 1360 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11370. At block 11380, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 11390, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11340, the closure member is used to hermetically close the nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical geometry. The method 11360 stops at block 1114.

Referring to FIG. 23CD, an exemplary method 11420 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1130. At block 11440, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 11450, traveling waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11460, the closure member is used to hermetically close the nuclear fuel body having a polygonal geometry. The method 11420 stops at block 11470.

Referring to FIG. 23CE, an exemplary method 11480 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1190. At block 11500, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 1115, traveling waves for controlling the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1520, the method includes operating the valve. The method 11480 stops at block 1930.

Referring to FIG. 23CF, an exemplary method 11540 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11550. At block 11560, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 11570, traveling waves by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11580, the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by operating a valve inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 11540 stops at block 11590.

Referring to FIG. 23CG, an exemplary method 11600 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 1116. At block 1116, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 1116, traveling waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11640, the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by actuating a valve inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. In block 11650, the flow of fluid between the closing member and the fluid control subassembly is controlled by actuating the non-return valve. The method 11600 stops at block 11660.

Referring to FIG. 23CH, an exemplary method 11670 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11680. At block 1116, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 11700, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1117, a barrier that can be controlled and destroyed is used. The method 11670 stops at block 1720.

Referring to FIG. 23CI, an exemplary method 1730 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11740. At block 11750, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. At block 11760, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to combustion waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 11770, a controllable barrier is inserted between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. The method 1730 stops at block 11780.

Referring to FIG. 23CJ, an exemplary method 1790 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11800. In block 1118, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 1118, traveling waves to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body and by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1130, a barrier is inserted that can break at a predetermined pressure. The method 1790 stops at block 11840.

Referring to FIG. 23CK, an exemplary method 11850 for operating a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly begins at block 11860. At block 11870, a closure member is provided for closing the heat generating nuclear fuel body therein, the nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of interconnected open-cell pores. In block 11880, traveling waves are controlled by controlling fluid flow in a plurality of regions of the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor adjacent to a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion wave to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the pores of the nuclear fuel body. A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member is used to remove at least a portion of the heat generated by the nuclear fuel body at a plurality of locations corresponding to the combustion waves of the nuclear fission reactor. At block 1118, the method includes inserting a barrier that can be destroyed by the operator's operation. The method 11850 stops at block 11900.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the components (such as actuation), devices, articles and their accompanying discussion described herein are used as examples for conceptual clarity and that various configuration changes are contemplated. Thus, as used herein, the specific examples presented and the discussions that follow are intended to be representative of their more general kinds. In general, the use of any particular example is intended to be representative of that kind and should not be treated as limiting the inclusion of any particular component (eg operation), device, object.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular exemplary processes and / or apparatuses and / or techniques described above are more general processes and / or apparatuses taught herein elsewhere, such as in the claims and / or elsewhere in this application. And / or representative of the techniques.

While particular aspects of the subject matter described herein are shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the subject matter and further aspects described herein, based on the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the appended claims cover all such modifications within their scope and that the modifications are within the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Generally, the terms used in the claims (e.g., the text of the claims) specifically appended hereto are defined as "open" terms (e.g., "including,""including but not limited to"). Should be interpreted, "having" should be interpreted as "having at least", and "includes" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," and the like. Will be understood. Also, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that if a particular number of introduced claims is intended to be re-cited, the intent will be explicitly re-quoted in the claims, and in the absence of such re-quotation. . For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may include the use of the phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases may be understood that even if the same claim includes “in more than one” or “at least one” inlet, and “a” or “an” (eg, “a” and / or “an” are generally If it is to be interpreted as meaning "at least one" or "one or more", the introduction of a claim citation by the indefinite article "a" or "an" refers to only one particular claim, including the claim citation so introduced. It should not be construed as limiting the claim to any such claim, including the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations, and even a certain number of introduced claim citations expressly cites. If so, such citations are generally at least two quoted numbers (e.g., a simple "two citation" without other modifiers is generally at least two characters). Or two or more citations. "Further, when similar rules are used for" at least one of A, B, C, etc. ", such configurations are generally understood by those skilled in the art. A rule (eg, "a system having at least one of A, B, and C") is A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B and C together, including but not limited to systems having, etc. When similar rules are used for "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." Those skilled in the art (for example, "a system having at least one of A, B, or C") are A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A , B and C together, etc. are intended to mean. In general, the adjoining words and / or phrases indicating two or more alternative terms in the description, claims, or drawings are likely to include one of the terms, any one of the terms, or both terms unless the context indicates otherwise. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that what should be understood as planning. For example, the phrase "A or B" will generally be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will understand that the operations recited therein may generally be performed in any order. In addition, while the various operational flows are presented sequentially, it should be understood that the various acts may be performed in a different order than described or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternating sequences may include overlapping, interposed, intercepted, incremental, supplemental, supplemental, concurrent, inverted or other modified sequences unless the context indicates otherwise. Can be. Also, terms such as “in response to” or “related to” or other past tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such modifications unless the context indicates otherwise.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, each embodiment of a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly may be disposed in a thermal neutron reactor, a fast neutron reactor, a neutron propagation reactor, and a fast neutron propagation reactor. Thus, each embodiment of the fuel assembly has a variety sufficient to be advantageously used in the design of several nuclear reactors.

Thus, provided herein is a nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly and system configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products and heat released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor and methods therefor.

In addition, the various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, the true scope and spirit of which are represented by the following claims.

Claims (38)

A fission reactor fuel assembly configured for controlled removal of volatile fission products released by combustion waves in a traveling wave fission reactor,
A closure member configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body;
A fluid control subassembly coupled to the closure member and adapted to control the removal of at least a portion of the volatile fission product from the porous nuclear fuel body
A nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly comprising a. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a control unit configured to control operation of the fluid control subassembly. 3. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the power level in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. 3. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to permit controlled release of volatile fission products in response to neutron density levels in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. 3. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to permit controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the pressure level of the volatile fission product in the traveling wave fission reactor. 3. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to a time schedule associated with the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. 3. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the amount of time the traveling wave fission reactor is operated. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to allow controlled release of the volatile fission product in response to the location of the combustion wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member closes the porous nuclear fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the fissile material forming the porous nuclear fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the fissable material forming the porous nuclear fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close a mixture of fissile and fissable material forming a porous nuclear fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body forming a plurality of channels. 15. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 13, wherein the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of particles defining a plurality of channels therebetween. The method of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores, wherein at least some of the plurality of pores exit the porous nuclear fuel body within at least a portion of the volatile fission product within a predetermined response time. A nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly, characterized in that it has a predetermined configuration to allow it to exit. The porous nucleus of claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises a porous nucleus having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 10 seconds and about 1,000 seconds. A nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly, characterized in that for closing the fuel body. The porous nucleus of claim 1, wherein the closure member comprises a porous nucleus having a plurality of pores to allow at least a portion of the volatile fission product to exit the porous nuclear fuel body within a predetermined response time between about 1 second and about 10,000 seconds. A nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly, characterized in that for closing the fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member sealably closes the porous nuclear fuel body having a cylindrical geometry. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member seals the porous nuclear fuel body having a polygonal geometry. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores in order to obtain the volatile fission product released by the combustion wave in the traveling wave nuclear fission reactor. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure member is configured to close the porous nuclear fuel body having a plurality of pores in order to transport the volatile fission product through the porous nuclear fuel body. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive volatile fission products. The fluid control subassembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body, while the fluid control subassembly is circulating the fission product removal fluid through the porous nuclear fuel body. A fission reactor fuel assembly, wherein at least a portion of the volatile fission product is removed from the porous nuclear fuel body. 24. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 23, wherein the fluid control subassembly comprises an inlet subassembly for supplying fission product removal fluid to the porous nuclear fuel body. 24. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 23, wherein the fluid control subassembly comprises an outlet subassembly for removing fission product removal fluid from the porous nuclear fuel body. 24. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 23, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly to receive volatile fission product removal fluid. 24. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 23, further comprising a reservoir coupled to the fluid control subassembly for supplying volatile fission product removal fluid. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous nuclear fuel body forms a plurality of pores therein, and the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate gas through the pores of the porous nuclear fuel body. . The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the porous nuclear fuel body forms a plurality of pores therein, and the fluid control subassembly is configured to circulate the liquid through the pores of the porous nuclear fuel body. . The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid control subassembly comprises a pump. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a pump integrally connected to the fluid control subassembly for pumping fluid from the fluid control subassembly to the porous nuclear fuel body. 2. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a valve interposed between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly to control the flow of fluid between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly. 33. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 32, wherein the valve comprises a non-return valve. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid control subassembly comprises a valve. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid control subassembly includes a controllably breakable barrier. 36. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 35, wherein the barrier is broken at a predetermined pressure. 36. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 35, wherein the barrier is broken by operation of an operator. The nuclear fission reactor fuel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a controllable breakable barrier interposed between the closure member and the fluid control subassembly.

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