Nuclear fuel assembly with low pressure drop

摘要

A nuclear fuel assembly having a bottom nozzle with protrusions that extend from the upstream (lower or fluid entry) and downstream (upper or fluid exit) side of a horizontally supported perforated flow plate. The protrusions have a funnel-like shape that gradually decreases the lateral flow area on the upstream side of the perforated flow plate and gradually increases the lateral flow area on the downstream side of the perforated plate. The protrusions on the downstream side are preferably recessed to accommodate the ends of the fuel rods.