Nuclear fuel element for a particle bed reactor

This patent describes a nuclear fuel element for a particle bed reactor. It comprises an inner porous cylinder; an outer porous cylinder connected at either end to and concentric with the inner porous cylinder, defining an annulus therebetween; a fuel particle bed in the annulus between the inner and outer porous cylinders; fins extending radially outward from the outer porous cylinder; a nonporous cylinder concentric with and positioned around the outer porous cylinder, defining an annulus therebetween; flexible fins extending radially inward from the nonporous cylinder and in contact with the fins on the outer porous cylinder; and heat removal tubes attached to the outer surface of the nonporous cylinder