Multiphase Nuclear Fuel Cavity Reactors for Power Generation

The characteristics and problems of cavity reactors with fuel in the solid, solid/liquid, solid/liquid/gas, liquid and liquid/gas states are explored analytically in an effort to uncover interesting operational regimes. Operation with the fuel in a thin liquid film on the cavity wall promises continuous fission debris removal and interesting performance (e.g. 2000 MW(th) in a 5 ft radius cavity), but poses problems of container penetration by the fuel and gravity induced fuel flow. These problems are avoided when the fuel film is solid at the expense of power and operational duration. (Author)