Liquid-cooled nuclear reactor, especially a boiling water reactor

A nuclear reactor with a special arrangement of fuel rods in the core is designed. Each fuel element has its shaft which is made of sheets, has the same cross section as the fuel element and protrudes at least the length of the control rod above the reactor core. Made of a zirconium alloy in the core area and of stainless steel above it, the shaft is equipped with channels for sliding the rods in and out and serves to spatially secure the position of the rods. Coolant flow is provided by the chimney effect. The shaft can conveniently enclose the control rod drive. It can also serve to bear the water separator. Moreover, it can constitute a part of the casing which surrounds the fuel rods and keeps the fuel in an intimate contact with the coolant; the other part of this casing is constituted by inserted sheets which can conveniently have the shape of angles. The walls of neighboring shafts form a compartment accommodating a neutron absorber plate. (M.D.). 11 figs