Thermal bridge
A thermal bridge of graphitic carbon in the fuel channel gap addresses inefficiencies in high temperature gas cooled reactors, enhancing thermal transfer and reactor efficiency while using nitrogen coolant, compatible with existing turbomachinery.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- GB · GB
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- BAE SYSTEMS PLC
- Filing Date
- 2021-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-02
AI Technical Summary
High temperature gas cooled nuclear reactors face inefficiencies due to fuel channel gaps and the use of low thermal conductivity coolants like nitrogen, which reduce thermal transfer and overall reactor efficiency, and the immaturity of turbomachinery designs for helium coolant poses a commercial barrier.
Incorporating a thermal bridge made of powdered material, such as graphitic carbon, within the fuel channel gap to enhance thermal transfer between the fuel element and the fuel channel, while using nitrogen as a coolant compatible with existing turbomachinery, and optionally incorporating a burnable poison like boron carbide to manage neutron reactivity.
Improves thermal conductivity and reactor efficiency by maintaining thermal contact despite volumetric changes, reduces the need for increased coolant flow, and enhances compatibility with conventional turbomachinery, thereby increasing overall reactor performance.
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