Multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system and working method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of nuclear fusion reactor energy conversion, in particular to a multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system and a working method. The conversion system comprises a fusion reactor heat extraction system, a heat storage system and a thermodynamic cycle system, the fusion reactor heat removal system comprises a fusion reactor, a heat storage heat exchanger and a steam generator, an outlet of the fusion reactor is connected with inlets of the heat storage heat exchanger and the steam generator, and outlets of the heat storage heat exchanger and the steam generator are connected with an inlet of the fusion reactor; the heat storage system comprises a high-temperature fused salt storage tank, a high-temperature fused salt pump, an electric heater, a fused salt steam generator and a low-temperature fused salt storage tank; an outlet of the low-temperature fused salt storage tank is connected to an inlet of the heat storage heat exchanger, an outlet of the heat storage heat exchanger is connected to an inlet of the high-temperature fused salt storage tank, and an outlet of the high-temperature fused salt storage tank is connected to an inlet of the electric heater. The quality of steam generated by the fused salt steam generator is consistent with that of steam generated by the steam generator during operation of the fusion reactor, and stable and efficient operation of a turboset is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of nuclear fusion reactor energy conversion technology, specifically to a multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system and its operating method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, nuclear energy applications are mainly based on fission technology, and its power generation solutions are quite mature and have achieved large-scale commercialization. Fusion energy, as an energy form with greater development potential, is regarded as an ideal energy source for the future due to its near-infinite fuel reserves and significant advantages of being clean and environmentally friendly.

[0003] However, fusion reactors are characterized by frequent fluctuations in highly dynamic heat loads and the tight coupling of tritium breeding and energy extraction, making it impossible to directly transplant the thermodynamic cycle schemes of traditional fission reactors. Therefore, there is an urgent need to deploy an efficient energy storage and energy dispatch system between the fusion reactor and the power generation system.

[0004] By rationally configuring the energy conversion system of the fusion reactor, the contradiction between the pulse operation of the fusion reactor and the continuous operation of the turbine unit can be effectively resolved, the energy conversion efficiency can be improved, the economic efficiency of the system can be guaranteed, and the stable and reliable power grid connection can be achieved. This is also the core link to promote fusion energy from experimental research to engineering demonstration and commercial power generation. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to overcome the contradiction between pulse operation of fusion reactor and continuous operation of steam turbine unit in the prior art, thereby providing a multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system and its working method.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention provides a multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system, comprising: a fusion reactor heat extraction system, a thermal storage system, and a thermodynamic circulation system; the fusion reactor heat extraction system includes a fusion reactor, a thermal storage heat exchanger, and a steam generator, with the outlet of the fusion reactor connected to the inlets of the thermal storage heat exchanger and the steam generator, and the outlets of the thermal storage heat exchanger and the steam generator connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor; the thermal storage system includes a high-temperature molten salt tank, a high-temperature molten salt pump, an electric heater, a molten salt steam generator, and a low-temperature molten salt tank; the outlet of the low-temperature molten salt tank is connected to the inlet of the thermal storage heat exchanger, the outlet of the thermal storage heat exchanger is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature molten salt tank, the outlet of the high-temperature molten salt tank is connected to the inlet of the electric heater, the outlet of the electric heater is connected to the inlet of the molten salt steam generator, and the outlet of the molten salt steam generator is connected to the inlet of the low-temperature molten salt tank; the thermodynamic circulation system is used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, enabling continuous power generation during fusion reactor operation and shutdown.

[0007] Furthermore, the fusion reactor heat extraction system also includes a first three-way valve, a second three-way valve, and a first isolation valve. The first three-way valve is connected to the outlet of the fusion reactor, the heat storage heat exchanger, and the inlet of the steam generator. The two inlets of the second three-way valve are connected to the outlet of the heat storage heat exchanger and the steam generator. The outlet of the second three-way valve is connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor via a circulation pump and the first isolation valve in sequence.

[0008] Furthermore, the heat extraction medium of the fusion reactor is water, helium, lithium-lead alloy, or supercritical carbon dioxide.

[0009] Furthermore, a second isolation valve, a low-temperature molten salt pump, and a third isolation valve are sequentially installed on the connecting pipeline between the low-temperature molten salt storage tank and the heat exchanger; a fourth isolation valve, a high-temperature molten salt pump, and a regulating valve are sequentially installed on the connecting pipeline between the high-temperature molten salt storage tank and the electric heater.

[0010] Furthermore, the thermal cycle system includes a steam turbine, a generator, a condenser, a cooling tower, a circulating water pump, and a main feedwater pump; the steam outlet of the steam generator is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine, the steam outlet of the molten salt steam generator is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine, the exhaust port of the steam turbine is connected to the condenser, the cooling water of the cooling tower is connected to the cooling water inlet of the condenser via the circulating water pump, and the condensate outlet is divided into two paths via the main feedwater pump, one path connecting to the feedwater inlet of the steam generator and the other path connecting to the feedwater inlet of the molten salt steam generator.

[0011] Furthermore, the heat storage medium in the heat storage system is molten salt or phase change material.

[0012] Furthermore, a fifth isolation valve is provided between the steam generator and the steam turbine, and a sixth isolation valve is provided between the molten salt steam generator and the steam turbine.

[0013] Furthermore, the connecting pipe between the cooling tower and the condenser passes through the seventh isolation valve, the circulating water pump, and the eighth isolation valve in sequence. The condensate outlet is divided into two paths by the main feed water pump. One path is connected to the feed water inlet of the steam generator via the ninth isolation valve, and the other path is connected to the feed water inlet of the molten salt steam generator via the tenth isolation valve.

[0014] Furthermore, the thermodynamic cycle system may be a steam Rankine cycle, a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, or a helium Brayton cycle.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for operating the fusion reactor energy conversion system employing the aforementioned multi-loop coupling, comprising: When the fusion reactor is running, the first three-way valve, the second three-way valve, and the first isolation valve are opened to start the circulation pump, which diverts the heat-extracting working fluid of the fusion reactor into the thermal storage heat exchanger and the steam generator. After heat exchange, the fluid returns to the fusion reactor. The second and third isolation valves are opened to start the cryogenic molten salt pump, which pumps the cryogenic molten salt from the cryogenic molten salt storage tank to the thermal storage heat exchanger for heating and storage in the high-temperature molten salt storage tank. At the same time, the fourth isolation valve and the regulating valve are closed to stop the high-temperature molten salt pump. The fifth and ninth isolation valves are opened and the sixth and tenth isolation valves are closed, and the steam generator supplies steam to the steam turbine. When the fusion reactor is shut down, the first three-way valve, the second three-way valve, and the first isolation valve are closed to stop the circulation pump; the fourth isolation valve and the regulating valve are opened to start the high-temperature molten salt pump, which pumps the high-temperature molten salt from the high-temperature molten salt storage tank through an electric heater for additional heating, and then it enters the molten salt steam generator to release heat energy. The cooled molten salt is returned to the low-temperature molten salt storage tank. At the same time, the second and third isolation valves are closed to stop the low-temperature molten salt pump; the sixth and tenth isolation valves are opened, and the fifth and ninth isolation valves are closed, so that the molten salt steam generator supplies steam to the turbine.

[0016] The technical solution of this invention has the following advantages: The multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system of this invention, by setting a three-way valve in the fusion reactor heat extraction system, rationally distributes the flow rate of the fusion reactor heat extraction medium to the heat storage heat exchanger and the steam generator, thereby ensuring that the thermodynamic cycle system has the same thermal power input during the fusion reactor operation period and the shutdown period. By setting up a heat storage system, a portion of the energy generated by the fusion reactor during operation is stored and released during shutdown. The temperature of the molten salt is controlled by regulating valves and electric heaters to make it comparable to the temperature of the fusion reactor heat extraction medium, thereby ensuring that the steam quality generated by the molten salt steam generator is consistent with the steam quality generated by the steam generator during fusion reactor operation, ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the turbine unit.

[0017] Furthermore, by configuring two steam generators with different working fluids, the present invention uses the fusion reactor heat extraction working fluid steam generator for power supply during fusion reactor operation and switches to the molten salt steam generator for power supply during shutdown. This avoids the energy loss and working fluid temperature reduction problems caused by the heat storage system having to transfer heat energy back to the heat extraction system under a single steam generator configuration, and further improves the overall system efficiency and operational stability.

[0018] The summary section is provided to present the chosen concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in the detailed description below. The summary section is not intended to identify essential or necessary features of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the specific embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system provided by the present invention.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Fusion reactor; 2. Thermal energy storage exchanger; 3. Steam generator; 4. Electric heater; 5. Molten salt steam generator; 6. Condenser; 7. Steam turbine; 8. Generator; 9. Cooling tower; 10. High-temperature molten salt storage tank; 11. Low-temperature molten salt storage tank; 12. Circulating pump; 13. Low-temperature molten salt pump; 14. High-temperature molten salt pump; 15. Circulating water pump; 16. Main feed water pump; 17. First isolation valve; 18. First three-way valve; 19. Second three-way valve; 20. Second isolation valve; 21. Third isolation valve; 22. Fourth isolation valve; 23. Regulating valve; 24. Fifth isolation valve; 25. Sixth isolation valve; 26. Seventh isolation valve; 27. Eighth isolation valve; 28. Ninth isolation valve; 29. ​​Tenth isolation valve. Detailed Implementation

[0022] In the following description, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and description are to be considered exemplary in nature and not restrictive.

[0023] The preferred embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments described herein are for illustration and explanation only and are not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0024] Please see Figure 1 As shown, this invention provides a multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system, comprising: a fusion reactor heat extraction system, a heat storage system, and a thermodynamic circulation system. The fusion reactor heat extraction system extracts thermal energy from the fusion reactor and distributes it to the heat storage system and the thermodynamic circulation system. The heat storage system stores thermal energy during fusion reactor operation and releases thermal energy during fusion reactor shutdown to drive the thermodynamic circulation system. The thermodynamic circulation system converts thermal energy into electrical energy, enabling continuous power generation during fusion reactor operation and shutdown.

[0025] For the heat extraction medium of fusion reactors, water, helium, lithium-lead alloy or supercritical carbon dioxide can be selected, depending on the characteristics of the fusion reactor's blanket, such as water-cooled lithium-lead blanket, helium-cooled spherical bed blanket, helium-cooled lithium-lead blanket, etc.

[0026] The thermal storage medium needs to be selected based on its low melting temperature, high boiling point, good thermal stability, high density, high specific heat capacity, low cost, low vapor pressure, and high thermal conductivity. For high-temperature fusion reactor blankets such as helium-cooled lithium-lead blankets (coolant inlet / outlet temperatures of 300 / 500℃), molten salts with higher operating temperatures, such as Solar salt (maximum operating temperature 600℃, melting point 220℃) or Hitec (operating temperature 450~538℃, melting point 142℃), can be used. When selecting molten salts, care must be taken to prevent freezing; electric heating and insulation measures are usually required. For medium-temperature blankets such as water-cooled lithium-lead blankets (coolant inlet / outlet temperatures of 295 / 338℃), either molten salts or thermal oils can be used for thermal storage. Therefore, the selection of the thermal storage medium needs to be optimized in conjunction with the temperature range of the fusion reactor coolant.

[0027] The invention uses molten salt as the thermal storage medium, but its scope is not limited thereto. In other alternative embodiments, the thermal storage medium may also be a phase change material.

[0028] Phase change materials (PCMs) utilize their latent heat of phase change for heat storage, offering advantages such as high heat storage density and constant temperature during heat release, which helps to further stabilize the inlet parameters of the thermodynamic cycle system. Suitable PCMs include, but are not limited to, inorganic hydrated salts, molten salt PCMs, and metallic alloys. Their phase change temperature should be selected to match the outlet temperature of the fusion reactor coolant.

[0029] Furthermore, for the blanket of fusion reactors operating at medium and low temperatures, organic working media such as high-temperature heat transfer oil can also be used as the heat storage medium. Those skilled in the art can select a suitable heat storage medium based on the actual operating temperature range of the fusion reactor without inventive effort.

[0030] This multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system includes a fusion reactor 1, a thermal energy storage exchanger 2, and a steam generator 3. The outlet of the fusion reactor 1 is connected to the inlets of the thermal energy storage exchanger 2 and the steam generator 3, and the outlets of the thermal energy storage exchanger 2 and the steam generator 3 are connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor 1. The thermal energy storage system includes a high-temperature molten salt tank 10, a high-temperature molten salt pump 14, an electric heater 4, a molten salt steam generator 5, and a low-temperature molten salt tank 11. The outlet of the low-temperature molten salt tank 11 is connected to the inlet of the thermal energy storage exchanger 2, the outlet of the thermal energy storage exchanger 2 is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature molten salt tank 10, the outlet of the high-temperature molten salt tank 10 is connected to the inlet of the electric heater 4, the outlet of the electric heater 4 is connected to the inlet of the molten salt steam generator 5, and the outlet of the molten salt steam generator 5 is connected to the inlet of the low-temperature molten salt tank 11. The thermal cycle system is used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, enabling continuous power generation during fusion reactor operation and shutdown.

[0031] The fusion reactor heat extraction system further includes a first three-way valve 18, a second three-way valve 19, and a first isolation valve 17. The first three-way valve 18 is connected to the outlet of the fusion reactor 1, the inlet of the heat storage heat exchanger 2, and the inlet of the steam generator 3. The two inlets of the second three-way valve 19 are connected to the outlets of the heat storage heat exchanger 2 and the steam generator 3. The outlet of the second three-way valve 19 is connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor 1 via the circulating pump 12 and the first isolation valve 17 in sequence.

[0032] The first three-way valve 18 regulates the flow rate of the working fluid entering the steam generator 3 and the heat storage heat exchanger 2 to ensure that the heat power input to the thermodynamic cycle system is equal during the fusion reactor's operation and off-peak periods. The second three-way valve 19 is used to combine the two working fluid streams and send them back to the fusion reactor 1 via the circulation pump 12.

[0033] Furthermore, based on the periodic and intermittent operation mode of the fusion reactor, its thermal power output is simplified to a stable 100% power output for a period of time, followed by a period of inactivity, and this cycle repeats. The duration of one operating cycle is defined as... t Fusion reactors stabilize thermal power P run run t run After adjustment by the thermal storage system, the energy power input to the thermal cycle system should be continuous and stable. t All within the period P Neglecting heat loss during energy conversion, we can derive from the law of energy conservation: 1-1 Therefore, during fusion reactor operation, the heat power transferred from the fusion reactor heat extraction system to the heat storage system P in for: 1-2 During fusion reactor operation, the heat output system transfers heat power to the thermodynamic cycle system; during fusion reactor shutdown, the heat storage system transfers heat power to the thermodynamic cycle system. P out for: 1-3 The flow rate of each loop is determined based on the thermal power, thereby ensuring that the thermodynamic cycle system receives a stable thermal power input.

[0034] The connecting pipeline between the low-temperature molten salt storage tank 11 and the heat exchanger 2 is provided with a second isolation valve 20, a low-temperature molten salt pump 13, and a third isolation valve 21 in sequence; the connecting pipeline between the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10 and the electric heater 4 is provided with a fourth isolation valve 22, a high-temperature molten salt pump 14, and a regulating valve 23 in sequence.

[0035] Specifically, the outlet of the low-temperature molten salt storage tank 11 is connected to the inlet of the heat storage heat exchanger 2 via the second isolation valve 20, the low-temperature molten salt pump 13, and the third isolation valve 21 in sequence. The outlet of the heat storage heat exchanger 2 is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10. The outlet of the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10 is connected to the inlet of the electric heater 4 via the fourth isolation valve 22, the high-temperature molten salt pump 14, and the regulating valve 23 in sequence. The outlet of the electric heater 4 is connected to the inlet of the molten salt steam generator 5, and the outlet of the molten salt steam generator 5 is connected to the inlet of the low-temperature molten salt storage tank 11.

[0036] During the operation of fusion reactor 1, the molten salt in cryogenic molten salt storage tank 11 is driven by cryogenic molten salt pump 13, heated by heat storage heat exchanger 2 and then stored in high temperature molten salt storage tank 10; during the shutdown of fusion reactor 1, the high temperature molten salt is heated again by electric heater 4 and then transported to molten salt steam generator 5 for heat exchange.

[0037] In some alternative embodiments, the electric heater 4 is located downstream of the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10, and the flow rate of molten salt entering the electric heater is controlled by the regulating valve 23 to ensure that the steam temperature generated by the molten salt steam generator 5 is comparable to that of the steam generator 3, thereby ensuring the stable and efficient operation of the steam turbine 7.

[0038] Specifically, the electric heater 4 is used to heat the flowing liquid molten salt. When the molten salt flows through the heating chamber of the electric heater under the drive of the pump, it can uniformly absorb the heat energy generated by the heating element, so that the temperature of the molten salt reaches the process requirements.

[0039] For example, the electric heater 4 can also be replaced by a molten salt furnace, which can reheat the molten salt by burning various fuels such as coal, oil, and gas.

[0040] In some optional embodiments, the thermal cycle system includes a steam turbine 7, a generator 8, a condenser 6, a cooling tower 9, a circulating water pump 15, and a main feedwater pump 16; the steam outlet of the steam generator 3 is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine 7, the steam outlet of the molten salt steam generator 5 is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine 7, the exhaust port of the steam turbine 7 is connected to the condenser 6, the cooling water of the cooling tower 9 is connected to the cooling water inlet of the condenser 6 via the circulating water pump 15, and the condensate outlet is divided into two paths via the main feedwater pump 16, one path being connected to the feedwater inlet of the steam generator 3 and the other path being connected to the feedwater inlet of the molten salt steam generator 5.

[0041] A fifth isolation valve 24 is provided between the steam generator 3 and the steam turbine 7, and a sixth isolation valve 25 is provided between the molten salt steam generator 5 and the steam turbine 7. That is, the steam outlet of the steam generator 3 is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine 7 via the fifth isolation valve 24, and the steam outlet of the molten salt steam generator 5 is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine 7 via the sixth isolation valve 25.

[0042] Meanwhile, the connecting pipe between the cooling tower 9 and the condenser 6 passes through the seventh isolation valve 26, the circulating water pump 15, and the eighth isolation valve 27 in sequence. The condensate outlet is divided into two paths by the main feed water pump 16. One path is connected to the feed water inlet of the steam generator 3 via the ninth isolation valve 28, and the other path is connected to the feed water inlet of the molten salt steam generator 5 via the tenth isolation valve 29.

[0043] During the operation of fusion reactor 1, all the condensate from the outlet of condenser 6 is directed to steam generator 3, which supplies high-temperature and high-pressure steam to turbine 7; during the shutdown of fusion reactor 1, all the condensate is directed to molten salt steam generator 5, which supplies high-temperature and high-pressure steam at the same temperature to turbine 7.

[0044] In this embodiment, a conventional steam Rankine cycle is used as an example of a thermodynamic cycle system, based on the maturity and operational experience of current nuclear fission power plants and concentrated solar power plants. However, to achieve higher energy conversion efficiency, this invention is also applicable to other advanced thermodynamic cycles.

[0045] As a preferred alternative, the thermal cycle system can be replaced with a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle. The SCO2 cycle has higher thermal efficiency in the mid-to-high temperature range where fusion reactors operate, and the system equipment is more compact. In this embodiment, the steam generator 3 and the molten salt steam generator 5 should be replaced accordingly with a fusion reactor heat exchanger-SCO2 heat exchanger and a molten salt-SCO2 heat exchanger, and the steam turbine 7 should be replaced with an SCO2 turbine.

[0046] For fusion reactors that use gases such as helium as coolants, the thermodynamic cycle system can preferably be a closed-loop helium Brayton cycle, thereby achieving direct coupling of the working fluid and reducing intermediate heat exchange losses.

[0047] In this embodiment, isolation valves are installed between each pipeline and at the outlets of the circulating pump 12, the cryogenic molten salt pump 13, the high-temperature molten salt pump 14, and the circulating water pump 15. This prevents the working fluid from flowing backward or mixing when the pressure is unbalanced, ensuring that the flow direction of the working fluid is consistent with the system operating conditions. Isolation valves at the pump inlet and outlet facilitate pump start-up, shutdown, and isolation maintenance, while also preventing backflow of the working fluid that could impact the impeller when the pump stops.

[0048] Specifically, by operating the switching combination of the fifth isolation valve 24, the ninth isolation valve 28, the sixth isolation valve 25, and the tenth isolation valve 29, the switching between the two operating modes of "direct power supply from the fusion reactor" and "power supply from the thermal storage system" can be realized.

[0049] Among them, the first isolation valve 17, the first three-way valve 18, the second three-way valve 19, the second isolation valve 20, the third isolation valve 21, the fourth isolation valve 22, the regulating valve 23, the fifth isolation valve 24, the sixth isolation valve 25, the seventh isolation valve 26, the eighth isolation valve 27, the ninth isolation valve 28, and the tenth isolation valve 29 are solenoid valves.

[0050] The present invention also provides a method for operating the fusion reactor energy conversion system employing the aforementioned multi-loop coupling, comprising: When fusion reactor 1 is running, the first three-way valve 18, the second three-way valve 19, and the first isolation valve 17 are opened, and the circulating pump 12 is started, so that the heat-extracting working fluid of the fusion reactor is diverted into the heat storage heat exchanger 2 and the steam generator 3. After heat exchange is completed, the fluid is returned to fusion reactor 1. The second isolation valve 20 and the third isolation valve 21 are opened, and the cryogenic molten salt pump 13 is started, so that the cryogenic molten salt is pumped from the cryogenic molten salt storage tank 11 to the heat storage heat exchanger 2 for heating and storage in the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10. At the same time, the fourth isolation valve 22 and the regulating valve 23 are closed, and the high-temperature molten salt pump 14 is stopped. The fifth isolation valve 24 and the ninth isolation valve 28 are opened, and the sixth isolation valve 25 and the tenth isolation valve 29 are closed, so that the steam generator 3 supplies steam to the steam turbine 7. When fusion reactor 1 is shut down, the first three-way valve 18, the second three-way valve 19, and the first isolation valve 17 are closed, and the circulation pump 12 is stopped. The fourth isolation valve 22 and the regulating valve 23 are opened, and the high-temperature molten salt pump 14 is started. The high-temperature molten salt is pumped from the high-temperature molten salt storage tank 10 and heated by the electric heater 4 before entering the molten salt steam generator 5 to release heat energy. The cooled molten salt is returned to the low-temperature molten salt storage tank 11. At the same time, the second isolation valve 20 and the third isolation valve 21 are closed, and the low-temperature molten salt pump 13 is stopped. The sixth isolation valve 25 and the tenth isolation valve 29 are opened, and the fifth isolation valve 24 and the ninth isolation valve 28 are closed. Steam is supplied to the steam turbine 7 by the molten salt steam generator 5.

[0051] Obviously, the above embodiments are merely illustrative examples for clear explanation and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other variations or modifications can be made based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations here. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system, characterized in that, include: Fusion reactor heat extraction system, heat storage system, and thermal cycle system; The fusion reactor heat extraction system includes a fusion reactor (1), a heat storage heat exchanger (2), and a steam generator (3). The outlet of the fusion reactor (1) is connected to the inlet of the heat storage heat exchanger (2) and the steam generator (3), and the outlet of the heat storage heat exchanger (2) and the steam generator (3) is connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor (1). The thermal storage system includes a high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10), a high-temperature molten salt pump (14), an electric heater (4), a molten salt steam generator (5), and a low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11); the outlet of the low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11) is connected to the inlet of the thermal storage heat exchanger (2), the outlet of the thermal storage heat exchanger (2) is connected to the inlet of the high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10), the outlet of the high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10) is connected to the inlet of the electric heater (4), the outlet of the electric heater (4) is connected to the inlet of the molten salt steam generator (5), and the outlet of the molten salt steam generator (5) is connected to the inlet of the low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11); The thermodynamic cycle system is used to convert thermal energy into electrical energy, enabling continuous power generation during the operation and shutdown of the fusion reactor.

2. The multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fusion reactor heat extraction system also includes a first three-way valve (18), a second three-way valve (19), and a first isolation valve (17). The first three-way valve (18) is connected to the outlet of the fusion reactor (1), the heat storage heat exchanger (2), and the inlet of the steam generator (3). The two inlets of the second three-way valve (19) are connected to the outlets of the heat storage heat exchanger (2) and the steam generator (3). The outlet of the second three-way valve (19) is connected to the inlet of the fusion reactor (1) in sequence via the circulating pump (12) and the first isolation valve (17).

3. The multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat extraction medium of the fusion reactor is water, helium, lithium-lead alloy, or supercritical carbon dioxide.

4. The multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting pipeline between the low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11) and the heat exchanger (2) is provided with a second isolation valve (20), a low-temperature molten salt pump (13), and a third isolation valve (21) in sequence; the connecting pipeline between the high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10) and the electric heater (4) is provided with a fourth isolation valve (22), a high-temperature molten salt pump (14), and a regulating valve (23) in sequence.

5. A multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The thermal cycle system includes a steam turbine (7), a generator (8), a condenser (6), a cooling tower (9), a circulating water pump (15), and a main feed water pump (16). The steam outlet of the steam generator (3) is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine (7), the steam outlet of the molten salt steam generator (5) is connected to the inlet of the steam turbine (7), the exhaust port of the steam turbine (7) is connected to the condenser (6), the cooling water of the cooling tower (9) is connected to the cooling water inlet of the condenser (6) via the circulating water pump (15), and the condensate outlet is divided into two paths via the main feed water pump (16), one path is connected to the feed water inlet of the steam generator (3), and the other path is connected to the feed water inlet of the molten salt steam generator (5).

6. The multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat storage medium in the heat storage system is molten salt or phase change material.

7. A multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 5, characterized in that, A fifth isolation valve (24) is provided between the steam generator (3) and the steam turbine (7), and a sixth isolation valve (25) is provided between the molten salt steam generator (5) and the steam turbine (7).

8. A multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cooling tower (9) and the condenser (6) are connected by the seventh isolation valve (26), the circulating water pump (15), and the eighth isolation valve (27) in sequence. The condensate outlet is divided into two paths by the main feed water pump (16). One path is connected to the feed water inlet of the steam generator (3) via the ninth isolation valve (28), and the other path is connected to the feed water inlet of the molten salt steam generator (5) via the tenth isolation valve (29).

9. A multi-loop coupled fusion reactor energy conversion system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermodynamic cycle system is a steam Rankine cycle, a supercritical carbon dioxide Brayton cycle, or a helium Brayton cycle.

10. A method for operating a fusion reactor energy conversion system employing the multi-loop coupling described in any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, include: When the fusion reactor (1) is running, the first three-way valve (18), the second three-way valve (19) and the first isolation valve (17) are opened, and the circulating pump (12) is started, so that the heat-extracting working fluid of the fusion reactor is diverted into the heat storage heat exchanger (2) and the steam generator (3), and after heat exchange is completed, it is returned to the fusion reactor (1); the second isolation valve (20) and the third isolation valve (21) are opened, and the low-temperature molten salt pump (13) is started, so that the low-temperature molten salt is pumped from the low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11) to the heat storage heat exchanger (2) for heating and then stored in the high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10), while the fourth isolation valve (22) and the regulating valve (23) are closed, and the high-temperature molten salt pump (14) is stopped; the fifth isolation valve (24) and the ninth isolation valve (28) are opened, and the sixth isolation valve (25) and the tenth isolation valve (29) are closed, so that the steam generator (3) supplies steam to the steam turbine (7); When the fusion reactor (1) stops, close the first three-way valve (18), the second three-way valve (19) and the first isolation valve (17) and stop the circulation pump (12); open the fourth isolation valve (22) and the regulating valve (23) and start the high-temperature molten salt pump (14). The high-temperature molten salt is pumped from the high-temperature molten salt storage tank (10) and heated by the electric heater (4) before entering the molten salt steam generator (5) to release heat energy. The cooled molten salt is returned to the low-temperature molten salt storage tank (11). At the same time, close the second isolation valve (20) and the third isolation valve (21) and stop the low-temperature molten salt pump (13); open the sixth isolation valve (25) and the tenth isolation valve (29) and close the fifth isolation valve (24) and the ninth isolation valve (28). The molten salt steam generator (5) supplies steam to the steam turbine (7).

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