Nuclear power plants

Abstract

Example aspects are directed to a nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant comprises first nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to supply a first electricity distribution system associated with first users and to produce heat to supply the first users via first thermal transmission connections. Each of the first nuclear sources includes a first subsystem configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source. Second nuclear sources are configured to produce electricity to supply the first subsystems and to supply a second electricity distribution system associated with second users and further to produce heat to supply the second users via second thermal transmission connections. A first temperature of the heat provided to the first users is different than a second temperature of the heat provided to the second users.

Description

NUCLEAR POWER PLANTSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to United States provisional patent application Serial No. 63 / 744,906, entitled “Improvements to nuclear power plants interconnections with end users”, filed on January 14, 2025, priority to United States provisional patent application Serial No. 63 / 747,582, entitled “Improvements to nuclear power plants used in a subordinate role within a greater purpose-built mechanism”, filed on January 21, 2025, and priority to United States provisional patent application Serial No. 63 / 747,557, entitled “Improvements to nuclear power plants reheat cycle”, filed on January 21, 2025, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Example embodiments relate to energy production from one or more nuclear power plants.BACKGROUND

[0003] In many countries, large-scale prior art nuclear power plants supply power to an electrical power distribution grid. Typically, each nuclear power plant comprises a nuclear reactor, nuclear fuel, reactor power systems, heat transport system and its support systems (also referred to as subsystems). In some examples, the support systems comprise safety systems, coolant systems, control systems, electrical distribution systems, and fluid distributions systems, boilers or steam generators, condensers, a high-pressure and low-pressure turbine systems, a reheat system, a generator and high voltage power transmission system, a switchyard, fossil fuel backup systems, fossil fuel storage facilities, and associated backup systems including pumps, compressors, control systems etc.SUMMARY

[0004] Example embodiments include, among other features and implementations, nuclear power plants that include two or more types of nuclear sources (e.g., small nuclear source, largenuclear source) to provide heat at different respective temperatures based on end users’ needs. Such configurations may help to improve diversity of the nuclear power plant and satisfy different industrial requirements (e.g., different users’ temperature requirement of heat).

[0005] In some applications, separate and different thermal transmission connections may be utilized for the different respective heat transportation.

[0006] In some examples, different mediums may be respectively applied in the different thermal transmission connections. For examples, liquid metal or molten salt may be utilized for higher temperature requirements while water may be utilized for relatively low temperature requirements.

[0007] Further example embodiments include, among other features and implementations, a engineered system that includes a nuclear source to specifically provide power for a primary functionality of an operation system of the engineered system. Such configurations may help to improve safety for the nuclear source and the engineered system.

[0008] Further example embodiments include, among other features and implementations, a turbine generator system that includes a reheat system that is disposed between a high-pressure turbine and a low-pressure turbine. The reheat system reheats the steam generated from the high-pressure turbine and output steam at a desired temperature with a desired steam quality. Such configurations may enable the steam generated to achieve the desired temperature and the desired steam quality.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a nuclear power plant is described. A nuclear power plant comprises: one or more first nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to supply a first electricity distribution system associated with one or more first users and to produce heat to supply the one or more first users via first thermal transmission connections, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources includes a first subsystem configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source; and one or more second nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to supply the one or more first subsystems and to supply a second electricity distribution system associated with one or more second users and further to produce heat to supply the one or more second users via second thermal transmission connections, wherein a first temperature of the heat provided to the one or more first users is different than a second temperature of the heat provided to the one or more second users.

[0010] In some embodiments, the one or more first users comprise one or more users of a first user type, the one or more second users comprise one or more users of a second user type, and the first user type is different than the second user type.

[0011] In some embodiments, the one or more second users comprise a plant that consumes electricity and heat.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first thermal transmission connections are separate from the second thermal transmission connections.

[0013] In some embodiments, a first medium utilized in each of the first thermal transmission connections to transfer the heat at the first temperature depends on a desired temperature with the first user type, and a second medium utilized in the second thermal transmission connections to transfer the heat at the second temperature depends on a desired temperature associated with the second user type.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first medium is different than the second medium.

[0015] In some embodiments, one of the second thermal transmission connections utilizes liquid metal as the second medium to transfer the heat at the second temperature.

[0016] In some embodiments, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources being unavailable.

[0017] In some embodiments, the plurality of second nuclear sources produces electricity to the one or more first subsystems via a common distribution system.

[0018] In some embodiments, the common electricity distribution system is configured to be connected with the second electricity distribution system via a station input transformer to supply electricity to the one or more second users or receive electricity from the one or more second users.

[0019] In some embodiments, the first temperature is less than the second temperature.

[0020] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to produce heat to supply a second user of a specific user type via a respective second thermal transmission connection.

[0021] In some embodiments, each of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to produce heat to supply a plurality of second users of a common specific user type via respective second thermal transmission connections.

[0022] In some embodiments, each of the one or more second nuclear sources includes a second subsystem, and the nuclear power plant further comprises one or more third nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to the one or more second subsystems of the one or more second nuclear sources.

[0023] In some embodiments, the one or more third nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity to supply a component of the one or more first subsystems.

[0024] In some embodiments, the one or more third nuclear sources are further configured to produce heat to supply the one or more first users via third thermal transmission connections and to supply the one or more second users via fourth thermal transmission connections.

[0025] In some embodiments, each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, the first reactor technology being different than the second reactor technology.

[0026] In some embodiments, each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, and each of the one or more third nuclear sources applies a third reactor technology, and the first reactor technology, the second reactor technology and the third reactor technology are different.

[0027] In some embodiments, the nuclear power plant further comprises a fuel reprocessing system configured to reprocess nuclear fuel utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources and to transmit the reprocessed nuclear fuel to the one or more second nuclear sources.

[0028] In some embodiments, the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the fuel reprocessing system.

[0029] In some embodiments, the nuclear power plant further comprises a nuclear isotope processing system configured to process isotopes utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources.

[0030] In some embodiments, the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the nuclear isotope processing system.

[0031] In some embodiments, the one or more first nuclear sources comprises a plurality of first nuclear sources each of which is configured to produce heat to supply a plurality of first users of a common specific user type via respective first thermal transmission connections.

[0032] In some embodiments, each of the one or more first nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a first range, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a second range that is less than the first range. For example, the first range may include a range of 100-400 megawatts, a range of 600-1600 megawatts, a range of 1-2000 megawatts, or a range of 0.1-2000 megawatts. The second range may be 0.5-3% of a maximum value of the first range.

[0033] According to a second aspect, a engineered system is provided. The engineered system comprises an operation system, one or more first nuclear sources, one or more second nuclear sources, wherein the operation system configured to perform operations for the engineered system; the one or more first nuclear sources configured to produce power to supply a primary component of the operation system, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources includes a first subsystem configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source; and the one or more second nuclear sources configured to produce power to supply the one or more first subsystems and to supply secondary components of the operation system.

[0034] In some embodiments, the engineered system further comprises a first power distribution system via which the one or more first nuclear sources are configured to supply the power to the primary component of the operation system.

[0035] In some embodiments, the one or more first subsystems comprise at least one of a coolant pump, a safety system, a power transfer system, a power control system, a heat removalsystem, a purification and storage system, a fuel handling system, a control rod system, or a radiation monitoring system.

[0036] In some embodiments, the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce power to supply the primary component of the operation system when the one or more first nuclear sources are unavailable.

[0037] In some embodiments, the primary component of the operation system comprises a maritime propulsion system.

[0038] In some embodiments, the one or more second nuclear sources comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources being unavailable.

[0039] In some embodiments, the plurality of second nuclear sources produces power to the one or more first subsystems via a common second power distribution system.

[0040] In some embodiments, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, the first reactor technology being different than the second reactor technology.

[0041] In some embodiments, a respective size of the one or more first nuclear sources is greater than that of the one or more second nuclear sources.

[0042] In some embodiments, the power comprises heat or electricity.

[0043] In some embodiments, wherein the engineered system is a ship, a train, a drilling platform, or a space craft.

[0044] According to a third aspect, a turbine generator system is provided. The turbine generator system comprises: first nuclear source configured to feed heat to a steam generator; the steam generator configured to generate first steam of a first pressure and to transport the first steam to a first pressure turbine; the first pressure turbine configured to receive the first steam and to output second steam at a second pressure; a second pressure turbine; a reheat system configured to be disposed between the first pressure turbine and a second pressure turbine and to produce third steam with a desired steam quality and at a desired temperature, wherein the reheatsystem includes a reheater and second nuclear source, the reheater is configured to receive the second steam from the first pressure turbine, and the second nuclear source is configured to feed energy into the reheater to produce the third steam with the desired steam quality and at the desired temperature.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first pressure turbine is a high-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the first steam at the first pressure that is higher than a first threshold.

[0046] In some embodiments, the second pressure turbine is a low-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the reheated second steam at a pressure that is lower than a second threshold.

[0047] In some embodiments, wherein the turbine generator system is utilized in a nuclear power plant.

[0048] In some embodiments, wherein the second nuclear source supplies heat at a temperature that is greater than that of the first nuclear source.

[0049] In some embodiments, wherein the first nuclear source applies a first reactor technology, the second nuclear source applies a second reactor technology, and the first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology.

[0050] In some embodiments, the turbine generator system further comprises the second pressure turbine configured to receive the third steam and to output fourth steam.

[0051] In some embodiments, the turbine generator system further comprises a condenser configured to convert the fourth steam into liquid water.

[0052] In some embodiments, the turbine generator system further comprises a pump configured to move the liquid water back to the steam generator.

[0053] In some embodiments, the second nuclear source is configured to transfer heat without the third steam.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second nuclear source utilizes molten salt as fuel.

[0055] This application encompasses various embodiments, including not only method embodiments, but also other embodiments such as apparatus embodiments. Embodiments may incorporate, individually or in combinations, the features disclosed herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0056] For a more complete understanding of the example embodiments, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made, by way of example, to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0057] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art nuclear power plant comprising a single nuclear source.

[0058] FIG. 2 illustrates an example nuclear power plant in accordance with aspects of example embodiments.

[0059] FIG. 3 illustrates another example nuclear power plant in accordance with aspects of example embodiments.

[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates another example nuclear power plant in accordance with other aspects of example embodiments.

[0061] FIG. 5 illustrates another example nuclear power plant in accordance with other aspects of example embodiments.

[0062] FIG. 6 illustrates another example nuclear power plant in accordance with other aspects of example embodiments.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating units or modules of a nuclear power plant in which example embodiments may occur.

[0064] FIG. 8 illustrates a prior art engineered system comprising a nuclear source to provide power to all the functions of the engineered system.

[0065] FIG. 9 illustrates an example engineered system in accordance with aspects of example embodiments.

[0066] FIG. 10 illustrates another example engineered system in accordance with aspects of example embodiments.

[0067] FIG. 11 illustrates another example engineered system in accordance with other aspects of example embodiments.

[0068] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating units or modules of a engineered system in which example embodiments may occur.

[0069] FIG. 13 illustrates a prior art turbine generator system that produce electrical energy.

[0070] FIG. 14 illustrates an example turbine generator system in accordance with aspects of example embodiments.

[0071] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating units or modules of a turbine generator system in which example embodiments may occur.

[0072] In the drawings, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] For illustrative purposes, specific example implementations will now be explained in greater detail below in conjunction with the figures.

[0074] The implementations and examples set forth herein represent information sufficient to practice the claimed subject matter and illustrate ways of practicing such subject matter. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying figures, those of skill in the art will understand the concepts of the claimed subject matter and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the example embodiments and the accompanying claims.

[0075] Aspects of the example embodiments are directed to a nuclear power plant that is configured to include at least two types of nuclear sources each of which can provide heat at different respective temperatures based on different respective needs from end users.

[0076] In some applications, different respective mediums may be utilized as a coolant for heat transportation. The configurations of the nuclear power plant may help to improve diversity of the nuclear power plant and satisfy different industrial requirements (e.g., different users’ temperature requirement of heat).

[0077] Conventionally, a traditional reactor to supply electricity and / or heat distribution needs often does not suffice industrial and commercial power requirements. A first reason is that the traditional reactor has a low level of electrical reliability. For example, for data centers where approximately 99.99% electricity reliability or greater is required; however, typical prior art large nuclear power plants cannot provide the electricity reliability of 99.99%. Another reason is that conventional nuclear power plant is unable to provide thermal energy temperature at desired high temperatures sufficient for industrial usage. For example, chemical plants require heat of significantly higher than what any typical prior art large nuclear power plant could supply.

[0078] Referring now to FIG. 1, which illustrates a prior art nuclear power plant. For a typical prior art nuclear power plant 20, regardless of reactor technology selected, one or more large nuclear sources 22 create power (e.g., electricity) which is transmitted to a large output transformer 24. A portion of the power (e.g., electricity) is bypassed to a station input power transformer 26 which transforms some of this high voltage electricity into lower voltage electricity which subsystems of the nuclear power plant 20 consume. The subsystems of the large nuclear sources 22 comprise lights 28, fans 30, pumps 32 and control systems 34, to name a few non-limiting examples. The remainder of the electricity produced is normally transmitted to an electrical power distribution grid 36 for public use. In circumstances where the nuclear source 22 is non-operational, the electricity which the subsystems, the large nuclear source 22, and the nuclear power plant 20 use can come from the grid 36. In other examples, the subsystems, the large nuclear sources 22 and the nuclear power plant 20 may obtain electricity from one or more fossil fuel backup power sources 38 which are provided with respective fossil fuel storage (not shown) to store a sufficient volume of fossil fuels to provide continuous electricity to the subsystems in an event of an incident. To name a few non-limiting examples, the incident may include both the grid 36 and the nuclear source 22 are unavailable, or the one or more fossil fuel backup power sources 38 are removed, or any other suitable decisions made based on a combination of plant design, operational practice and licenses.

[0079] A typical prior art nuclear power plant would have an electrical output approximately though not limited to 1000 megawatts at a reliability factor as required of a standard transmission grid, of which approximately 1 to 10 megawatts would be returned to the nuclear power plant. In turn, this operation’s power is backed up by one or more fossil fuel power sources 38 which can produce all the power the entire nuclear power plant needs to operate. Thus, when operating, the nuclear power plant will output an amount of full 1000 megawatts capacity to the grid 36 and draw its operating power back from the grid 36 in the order of 1 to 10 megawatts to run all of its components (e.g., subsystems). Alternatively, the nuclear power plant 22 outputs to the grid 36 999 to 990 megawatts and retains the remaining power (e.g., 1 to 10 megawatts) output via the station input power transformer 26 for internal operations of the nuclear power plant 22.

[0080] Furthermore, typically, the prior art nuclear power plant 20 includes a thermal line 42 providing relatively low temperature and low-quality steam, in the order of 100 to 250 degrees Celsius for transporting heat for a plurality of end users 58. The transported heat is heat excess waste of the nuclear power plant 20 and is reused for district and industrial purposes through the cogeneration design of the nuclear power plant.

[0081] FIG. 2 illustrates a nuclear power plant 20’ according to an example embodiment. The nuclear power plant 20’ differs from the prior art in that there is no back-up power plant, but a small nuclear source 38’ is included in the nuclear power plant 20’ to provide power to subsystems of the nuclear power plant 20’. The subsystems of the nuclear power plant 20’ may comprise at least lights 28’, fans 30’, pumps 32’, or control systems 34’, to name a few nonlimiting examples. Because the small nuclear source 38’ is utilized to provide power to the subsystems of the nuclear power plant 20’, no input-power transformer is required to power the subsystems of the nuclear power plant 20’.

[0082] As presented in FIG. 2, the nuclear power plant 20’ comprises one or more first nuclear sources 2201 (e.g., relatively large nuclear source) and one or more second nuclear sources 3802 (e.g., relatively small nuclear source). The one or more first nuclear sources 2201 is configured to produce electricity to supply a first electricity distribution system associated with one or more first users (e.g., grid end-users 5801) and to produce heat to supply the one or more first users (e.g., grid end-users 5801) via first thermal transmission connections (e.g., thermal transmission connections 4201). Each of the one or more first nuclear sources 22’ includes a firstsubsystem (e.g., lights 2801, fans 3001, pumps 3201, or control systems 3401, etc.) configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source. The one or more second nuclear sources 3802 is configured to produce electricity to supply the one or more first subsystems and to supply a second electricity distribution system associated with one or more second users (e.g., any chemical plants, factories, or other forms of plants 5602 which could use both electricity and heat) and further to produce heat to supply the one or more second users via second thermal transmission connections (e.g., thermal transmission connections 4202).

[0083] In some examples, the one or more first users comprise one or more users of a first user type, the one or more second users comprise one or more users of a second user type, and the first user type is different than the second user type.

[0084] Furthermore, a first medium utilized in each of the first thermal transmission connections (e.g., transmission line 4201) to transfer the heat at the first temperature depends on a desired temperature with the first user type, and a second medium utilized in the second thermal transmission connections (e.g., transmission line 4202) to transfer the heat at the second temperature depends on a desired temperature associated with the second user type. In some examples, the first medium is different than the second medium.

[0085] In some example embodiments, the one or more second users may include a petrochemical plant 5602 which connects with the second nuclear source 3802 (e.g., the relatively small nuclear source) via an electrical connection. In some examples, the second nuclear source 3802 provides electricity at a lower voltage of 13800V and at 99.9% reliability. Furthermore, the second nuclear source 3802 may provide power to the one or more second users 5602 (e.g., petro-chemical plant) via a separate output transformer 2402. In non-limiting examples, the output transformer 2402 may be designed for input and output voltages and reliability ratings that are separate and different than the output transformer 2401.

[0086] It is noted that although a petro-chemical plant is illustrated and discussed herein as the second user 5602, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the second user 5602 may be any other suitable chemical plants, factories, or other forms of plants which could use both electricity and thermal.

[0087] In the example of FIG. 2, the first nuclear source (e.g., the large nuclear source) 2201 provides electricity to a first electricity distribution system (e.g., grid) 3601 which suppliespower to the grid end-users 5801. The first nuclear source 2201 transports heat via a thermal transmission connection 4201 (e.g., thermal line) to provide relatively low temperature and low steam quality, in the order of 100 to 250 Celsius degrees for one or more first users (e.g., grid end users 5801), via a first medium.

[0088] To increase thermal efficiency of a power plant, the nuclear power plant 20’ comprises one or more second thermal transmission connections, such as specialized thermal lines 4202 which connect to the plant 5602 (e.g., petro-chemical plant 5602) and provide a high quality steam and high temperature heat at 600 Celsius degrees, via a second medium.

[0089] In the example of FIG. 2, the first thermal transmission connection 4201 is separate from the second thermal transmission connection 4202, and the first medium utilized in the first thermal transmission connection 4201 may be different than the second medium utilized in the first thermal transmission connection 4202 so that the first and second nuclear power source can serve different kinds of users (e.g., transport heat at different temperatures respectively).

[0090] In some examples, the second medium may include liquid sodium or liquid metal that is applied in the second thermal transmission connection 4202 such that the second nuclear source 3802 could provide a high-quality steam and high temperature heat to users of the second type.

[0091] It should be understood that the subsystem of the first nuclear source and interconnections are designed and implemented such that that the second nuclear source 38’ (e.g., relatively small nuclear source 38’) could produce electricity to supply the subsystems of the first nuclear source 22 (e.g., the large nuclear source 22). Furthermore, the large nuclear source 22 and interconnections with the output transformer 2402, the first electricity distribution system 3601, and the first thermal transmission connections 4201 may be optimized in design.

[0092] It should be understood that although only a single small nuclear source 3802 is shown, it will be appreciated that any number of small nuclear sources of this type might be utilized for supporting a large nuclear source and / or a variety of end users.

[0093] As depicted above, the first nuclear source 2201 may be a relatively large nuclear source, and the second nuclear source may be a relatively small nuclear source. It should be also appreciated that the amount of power that the relatively large nuclear source is configured tovary based on the design and reactor technologies applied. For example, the amount of power provided by the relatively large nuclear source may be in a range of 100-400 megawatts or a range of 600-1600 megawatts. In other examples, some reactor technologies applied by the large nuclear source may provide 1-2000 megawatts. In some alternative examples, some reactor technologies applied by the large nuclear source may provide 0.1-2000 megawatts.

[0094] It should be also appreciated that an amount of power that the relatively small nuclear source is configured to vary based on the design and reactor technologies applied. In some examples, the amount of power provided by the relatively small nuclear source is 0.5-3% of the output (e.g., maximum output) of the relatively larger nuclear source. However, the amount of power provided by the relatively small nuclear source could vary depending on economics and the preference of the reactor design. For example, if the maximum output of the relatively large nuclear source is about 1000 megawatts, the small nuclear source would likely be designed to be 15-30 megawatts. If there are more than one small source, which is more likely, the small nuclear source could vary in size.

[0095] It is noted although the respective exemplary amount of power provided by the large nuclear source and the small nuclear source is illustrated, this is only for ease of understanding of the small nuclear source and the large nuclear source but not intended for limiting. In other examples, the respective amount of power provided by the large nuclear source and the small nuclear source may vary based on design, configuration, and reactor technology.

[0096] FIG. 3 shows a nuclear power plant 20” according to another example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the nuclear power plant 20” comprises multiple large nuclear sources 22(1)’, 22(2)’, 22(3)’ (generically referred to as large nuclear source 22’) and multiple small nuclear sources 38(1)’, 38(2)’, 38(3)’, 38(4)’ (generically referred to as small nuclear source 38’). In some examples, a subsystem of each large nuclear source is powered by a corresponding small nuclear source. For example, the small nuclear sources 38(1)’ may power the subsystem of the large nuclear source 22(1)’, the small nuclear sources 38(2)’ may power the subsystem of the large nuclear source 22(2)’, and the small nuclear sources 38(3)’ may power the subsystem of the large nuclear source 22(3)’. In other examples, the small nuclear sources 38’ may selectively or jointly power nuclear power plant subsystems of each large nuclear source, for example including lights 28’ fans 30’ pumps 32’ and control systems 34’, via a common electricitydistribution system 40”. Furthermore, the small nuclear sources 38’ may power a plurality of second users 56(1), 56(2), 56(3) (generically referred to as second user 56), and one or more first users 58 via different connections.

[0097] As presented in FIG. 3, the common distribution system 40” is connected to a second electricity distribution system (e.g., grid 36”) via a station input transformer 24” which takes or provides electricity to the second electricity distribution system 36” and to the second users 56(3) at a convenient voltage level and lowers the voltage to a useful amplitude for distribution and with a high reliability due to the redundant usage of the smaller nuclear reactors. It is further understood that a second transformer (e.g., the station input transformer 24”) is designed for this purpose, and voltages output by a second electricity distribution system 36” via the station input transformer 24” may be different than voltages provided by a first electricity distribution system 36’ (e.g., grid 36(1)’, 36(2)’, 36(3)’ which are generically referred to as grid 36’) via one or more first transformers 24’ (e.g., a large output transformer 24(1)’, a large output transformer 24(2)’, and a large output transformer 24(3)’ that are generically referred to as output transformer 24’ or the first transformer 24’).

[0098] As the nuclear power plant 20” includes two different nuclear sources, the first and second electricity distribution systems 36’, 36” and end users 56, 58 are provided with electricity respectively and quality of electricity as the end users 56, 58 require, independent of the other users being supplied by the same nuclear power plant 20’ ’ . In other words, although the nuclear power plant 20” serves a set of first users 58 and a plurality of second users 56(1), 56(2), 56(3) at the same time, a different respective electricity distribution system 36(1)’, 36(2)’, 36(3)’, 36” could provide different amount of electricity to each user based on a respective required amount of electricity.

[0099] In the example of FIG. 3, one second thermal transmission connection 42(2)’ (e.g., a second thermal line 42(2)’) may connect heat from one or more small nuclear sources 38(2)’, 38(3)’, and 38(4) to a second user 56(3). The relatively large nuclear sources 22(2)’, 22(3)’ produce heat to supply a first user 58 via a first thermal transmission connection 42(2) (e.g., a first thermal line 42(2)). It should be understood that the first thermal transmission connection 42(2) is different than and separate from the second thermal transmission connection 42(2)’ such that each user with specific needs and requirements could be supplied by a different respectivethermal transmission connection. Each of the thermal transmission connections is designed based on needs of the respective second users 56(l)-56(3) and first user 58 and nuclear sources. In some examples, the second thermal transmission connections 42(1)’, 42(2)’ may provide temperatures up to but not limited to 1200 Celsius degrees for various industrial applications, while the first thermal transmission connections (e.g., the normal heat transport line 42(1), 42(2)) cannot provide such high temperature to end users. Because different respective thermal transmission connections are utilized to supply heat to the second users 56(l)-56(3), the nuclear power plant could supply heat at different temperatures. In other examples, different types of mediums may be utilized in the first or the second thermal transmission connections for heat transportation.

[0100] It should be noted that subsystems (e.g., lights 28’, fans 30’, pumps 32’, and control system 34’, etc.,) of the relatively large nuclear source 22’ are designed and implemented with the consideration that the small nuclear sources 38’ is operating subsystems rather than the large nuclear source 22’. Furthermore, the large nuclear sources 22’ may be further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations.

[0101] It is understood that although three large power sources 22’ and four small power sources 38’ are illustrated in FIG. 3 for ease of illustration and understanding, this is only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the number of the large power sources 22’ may be any number greater than one. Furthermore, the number of the small power sources 38’may be any number greater than one.

[0102] Furthermore, in some examples, each of the one or more large nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear sources 22’) applies a first reactor technology. Each of the one or more small nuclear sources (e.g., small nuclear sources 38’) applies a second reactor technology. The first reactor technology may be selected or configured for the large nuclear sources based on the configuration (e.g., a range of energy / power output) of the large nuclear sources. The second reactor technology may be selected for the small nuclear sources based on the configuration (e.g., a range of energy output) of the small nuclear sources. In some examples, the first reactor technology may be different than the second reactor technology.

[0103] It is also understood that when the one or more first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear sources) includes a plurality of first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear sources), each ofthe plurality of first nuclear sources may be configured to produce heat to supply a user of a first specific user type via a respective first thermal transmission connection. In other examples, each of the plurality of first nuclear sources may be configured to produce heat to supply a plurality of first users of a common specific user type via respective first thermal transmission connections.

[0104] It is also understood that when the one or more second nuclear sources (e.g., relatively small nuclear sources) includes a plurality of second nuclear sources (e.g., relatively small nuclear sources), each of the plurality of second nuclear sources may be configured to produce heat to supply a user of a second specific user type via a respective second thermal transmission connection. In other examples, each of the plurality of second nuclear sources may be configured to produce heat to supply a plurality of second users of a common specific user type via respective second thermal transmission connections.

[0105] FIG. 4 illustrates another alternative embodiment of a nuclear power plant 20”’. As shown in FIG. 4, the nuclear power plant 20’” comprises a first nuclear source (e.g., a large nuclear source 22), a second nuclear source (e.g., small nuclear source 38”), and two third nuclear sources (e.g., smaller nuclear source 38(1)’, 38(2)’). FIG. 4 differs from FIG. 2 and FIG.3 in that the nuclear power plant 20’” comprises two smaller nuclear sources 38(1)’, 38(2)’. In this embodiment, one smaller nuclear source 38(1)’ powers a portion (e.g., control systems 34’ via its own unique electrical distribution system 40”) of subsystems of the large nuclear source 22.

[0106] The small nuclear source 38” provides power to the remainder of the nuclear power plant 20’” and the subsystems for the large nuclear source 22, schematically represented as but not limited by: lights 28’, fans 30’ and pumps 32’, via a separate and different power distribution system 40’. In some examples, the small nuclear source 38” may have its subsystems, for example, including lights 28”, fans 30”, pumps 32” and control systems 34”, which are powered by a smaller nuclear source 38(2)’ via a separate and different power distribution system 40”.

[0107] As the nuclear power plant 20’” includes three different types of nuclear sources (e.g., relatively large nuclear source, relatively small nuclear source, relatively smaller nuclear source), electricity distribution systems (e.g., grid) and end users may be provided with electricity and heat based on users’ respective needs and requirements.

[0108] For the large nuclear source 22, a single thermal transmission connection 42 is utilized to supply heat at a temperature (e.g., standard temperature), An electrical connection to a first electricity distribution system 36 (e.g., grid 36) is utilized to supply electricity to end users (e.g., end users 58) at electricity ratings.

[0109] For the small nuclear source 38”, a second thermal connection 42’ is utilized to supply heat to end users (e.g., users 56) at a temperature significantly higher than that from the large nuclear source 22. An electrical connection to a second electricity distribution system 36’ (e.g., grid 36’) is also significantly different in quality, voltage and / or reliability than the electrical connection to the first electricity distribution system 36 (e.g., grid 36) from the large nuclear source 22.

[0110] In some examples, for the smaller nuclear source 38’, the smaller nuclear source 38’ may further supply electricity to a control system 34’ (e.g., a component of the subsystem) of the large nuclear source 22. In other examples, the smaller nuclear source 38’ may provide thermal connection both to end users at another temperature via a thermal transmission connection 42” and to the large nuclear source 22 for, but not limited to the purpose of increased thermal efficiency. Because the end users are supplied heat via different thermal transmission connections, the nuclear power plant can supply heat at different temperatures on these different respective thermal transmission connections. Furthermore, the different respective thermal transmission connections may apply different mediums for heat transportation.[oni] It should be noted that subsystems (e.g., lights 28’, fans 30’, pumps 32’, or control systems 34’) of the large nuclear source 22 and subsystems (e.g., lights 28”, fans 30”, pumps 32”, or control systems 34”) of the small nuclear source 38’ are designed and implemented with the consideration that the two subsystems are being operated via a separate nuclear source. Furthermore, it should be also appreciated that the large nuclear sources 22 and the interconnections with end users are further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations. It should also be understood that many separate and different power distribution systems may not be necessary, but there could be separate inputs and outputs to one or more common distribution systems.

[0112] It is to be appreciated that although FIG. 4 shows a nuclear power plant comprising only one large nuclear source, one small nuclear source and two smaller nuclear sources, this isonly illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, any number of nuclear sources of three different types of nuclear sources might be utilized for each respective role, and it is possible that there could be varying reactor technologies chosen between the large nuclear source, the small nuclear source and the smaller nuclear sources, or for each nuclear source selected. For example, each of the one or more first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear source 22) applies a first reactor technology, each of the one or more second nuclear sources (e.g., small nuclear source 38”) applies a second reactor technology, and each of the one or more third nuclear sources (e.g., smaller nuclear sources 38(1)’ and 38(2)’) applies a third reactor technology. In some examples, the first reactor technology, the second reactor technology and the third reactor technology are different.

[0113] FIG. 5 shows a nuclear power plant 20”” according to another example embodiment. Compared with FIG. 3, the nuclear power plant 20”” comprises an additional system, namely fuel reprocessing system 44 for reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, in order to improve the efficiency of energy consumption. The entire spent nuclear fuel may comprise first spent nuclear fuel that leaves one or more first nuclear sources 22. The reprocessed nuclear fuel is transported to one or more second nuclear sources 48. In some examples, the fuel reprocessing system 44 may be referred to as ancillary fuel reprocessing facilities 44 and may include any suitable facilities for reprocessing nuclear fuel.

[0114] It is to be appreciated that subsystems of the first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear source 22) and interconnections in the nuclear power plant are designed and implemented with the consideration that the small nuclear source 38’ is operating the large nuclear source 22.Furthermore, it can be considered that the large nuclear source 22 and its interconnections with the end users via output transformers 24, first electricity distribution systems 36, first thermal transmission connections 42 are further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations.

[0115] It is further understood that in some examples, the small nuclear source 38’ may provide electricity and heat loads for the fuel reprocessing system 44. The fuel reprocessing system 44 may be further optimized to improve fuel consumption efficiency.

[0116] It is to be appreciated that although FIG. 5 shows a nuclear power plant comprising only one additional fuel reprocessing system 44, this is only illustrative and is not intended to belimiting. In other examples, any number of fuel reprocessing systems might be utilized for fuel reprocessing, in order to improve fuel consumption efficiency.

[0117] FIG. 6 shows a nuclear power plant 20””’ according to another example embodiment. Compared with FIG. 3, the nuclear power plant 20””’ in FIG. 6 further comprises an additional nuclear isotope processing system 50 that is configured to process isotopes utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources 22, such as the large nuclear sources 22. The isotopes leave the first nuclear sources 22 and are transported to the nuclear isotope processing system 50 via connections 52 for processing isotopes through multiple different stages and are then shipped to the market 601 via connections 54. In some examples, the nuclear isotope processing system 50 may be referred to as ancillary isotope processing facilities 50 and may include any suitable facilities for processing isotopes of the nuclear fuel.

[0118] As isotopes, especially output by the nuclear sources, are extremely radioactive, including the nuclear isotope processing system 50 in the nuclear power plant may help to reduce the radiation of the isotopes and enable the isotopes to be reutilized in another industrial field.

[0119] It should be noted that subsystems of the first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear source 22) and interconnections are designed and implemented with the consideration that the small nuclear source 38’ is operating the large nuclear source 22. Furthermore, it can be considered that the large nuclear source 22 and its interconnections with end users via output transformers 24, first electricity distribution systems 36, first thermal transmission connections 42 are further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations.

[0120] It is further understood that the one or more small nuclear sources 38’ provides electricity and heat for the nuclear isotope processing system 50. The nuclear isotope processing system 50 may be further optimized to process isotopes of the nuclear fuel generated in the nuclear power plant 20” ” ’ .

[0121] It is further understood that the entire nuclear power plant 20’”” and operating components (e.g., first nuclear source 22, second nuclear source 38’) and isotope production and processing components are designed based on necessary production benefits and required short timelines in isotope production.

[0122] It is to be appreciated that although FIG. 6 shows a nuclear power plant comprising only one additional nuclear isotope processing system 50, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, any number of nuclear isotope processing systems might be utilized for isotope production.

[0123] FIG.7 is a schematic diagram illustrating units or modules of a nuclear power plant in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, a nuclear power plant 700 comprises one or more first nuclear sources 702 and one or more second nuclear sources 706. The one or more first nuclear sources 702 are configured to produce electricity to supply a first electricity distribution system 720 (e.g., an electrical power distribution grid 720) associated with one or more first users 730 for use. Furthermore, the one or more first nuclear sources 702 is configured to produce heat to supply the one or more first users 730 via first thermal transmission connections 734. For each first nuclear source 702, the first nuclear source 702 includes a first subsystem 704 configured to provide operational functionalities of the first nuclear source 702.

[0124] The one or more second nuclear sources 706 are configured to produce electricity to supply the one or more first subsystems 704 and to supply a second electricity distribution system 722 associated with one or more second users 732 and further to produce heat to supply the one or more second users 732 via second thermal transmission connections 736. A first temperature of the heat provided to the one or more first users is different than a second temperature of the heat provided to the one or more second users. The nuclear power plant 700 could be any nuclear power plant as discussed in the examples of FIGs. 2-6.

[0125] In some implementations, the one or more first users comprise one or more users of a first user type, the one or more second users comprise one or more users of a second user type, and the first user type is different than the second user type. As the first user type is different than the second user type, a desired temperature for the first user type may be different than that for the second user type. Furthermore, a first desired steam quality for transporting heat to the first user type may be different than that for transporting heat to the second user type.

[0126] In some examples, the first user 730 may be end users that requires relatively low temperature heat, while the second user 732 may comprise a plant, for example including chemical plants, factories, or other forms of plants which could use both electricity and heat. Inthat case, a first temperature supplied to the first user 730 is less than a second temperature supplied to the first user 732.

[0127] In some examples, the second user 732 may include a petrochemical plant that requires relatively high temperature heat.

[0128] In some examples, the first thermal transmission connections 734 are separate from the second thermal transmission connections 736.

[0129] In some implementations, for each thermal transmission connection, a medium, also referred to as coolant, is used to remove heat from the nuclear sources and transfer it to users, in order to prevent overheating and maintaining safe operating conditions.

[0130] In some examples, a first medium utilized in each of the first thermal transmission connections 734 to transfer the heat at the first temperature depends on a desired temperature with the first user type, and a second medium utilized in the second thermal transmission connections 736 to transfer the heat at the second temperature depends on a desired temperature associated with the second user type. The first medium may be different than the second medium.

[0131] In some examples, the first medium may include water, and the second medium may include liquid metal, gas, or molten salt for higher temperature, efficiency and safety.

[0132] In some examples, the one or more second nuclear sources 706 comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources 706, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources 706 is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources 706 being unavailable. The multiplicity of second nuclear sources 706 may enables the nuclear power plant 700 to run the operations stable because other second nuclear sources 706 could accommodate a loss of power in the event that the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources 706 is unavailable

[0133] In case where there are more than one second nuclear sources, the plurality of second nuclear sources may produce electricity to the one or more first subsystems via a common distribution system. In some examples, the common electricity distribution system is configured to be connected with the second electricity distribution system via a station input transformer to supply electricity to the one or more second users. Alternatively, the common electricitydistribution system is configured to be connected with the second electricity distribution system via a station input transformer to receive electricity from the one or more second users.

[0134] In case where there is a plurality of second nuclear sources 706 serving multiple second users 732, for each of the plurality of second nuclear sources 706, the second nuclear source 706 is configured to produce heat to supply a second user 732 of a specific user type via a respective second thermal transmission connection 736.

[0135] In some examples, for a plurality of second users 732 of a common specific user type, one single second nuclear source 706 in the plurality of second nuclear source 706 may be configured to produce heat to supply the plurality of second users 732 of the common specific user type via respective second thermal transmission connections 736.

[0136] Alternatively, for a plurality of first users 730 of a common specific user type, one single first nuclear source 702 in the plurality of first nuclear source 702 may be configured to produce heat to supply the plurality of first users 730 of the common specific user type via respective first thermal transmission connections 734.

[0137] In alternative examples, each of the one or more second nuclear sources 706 may include a second subsystem 708, and the nuclear power plant 700 may further comprise one or more third nuclear sources 710. Each third nuclear source 710 may be configured to produce electricity to one or more second subsystems 708 of the one or more second nuclear sources 706.

[0138] In some alternative examples, the one or more third nuclear sources 710 may be further configured to produce electricity to supply a component of the one or more first subsystems 704. In other words, the third nuclear source 710 supplies electricity to both the second nuclear sources subsystem 708 and the first nuclear sources subsystem 704.

[0139] In some alternative examples, the one or more third nuclear sources 710 may be further configured to produce heat to supply the one or more first users 730 via third thermal transmission connections and to supply the one or more second users 732 via fourth thermal transmission connections.

[0140] In some alternative examples, each of the one or more first nuclear sources 702 applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources 706applies a second reactor technology. In some applications, the first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology.

[0141] Furthermore, each of the one or more third nuclear sources 710 applies a third reactor technology. In some embodiments, the first reactor technology, the second reactor technology and the third reactor technology are different.

[0142] In some alternative examples, the nuclear power plant 700 further comprises a fuel reprocessing system 740 that is configured to reprocess nuclear fuel utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources 702 and to transmit the reprocessed nuclear fuel to the one or more second nuclear sources 706.

[0143] In some implementations, the one or more second nuclear sources 706 are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the fuel reprocessing system 740.

[0144] In some alternative examples, the nuclear power plant 700 further comprises a nuclear isotope processing system 750 that is configured to process isotopes produced by the one or more first nuclear sources 702.

[0145] In some implementations, the one or more second nuclear sources 706 are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the nuclear isotope processing system 750.

[0146] It is to be appreciated that although a petrochemical plant is illustrated as a specific end user for the second user in the examples of FIGs. 2-5, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the second user may be any other suitable plant, for example including chemical plants, factories, or other forms of plants which could use both electricity and heat.

[0147] It should be also understood that although district electricity users are illustrated as the first user type, and plants (e.g., petrochemical plant, chemical plants, factories, or other forms of plants) using both electricity and heat are illustrated as the second user type, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. Based on the end user requirements (e.g., requirements from the first user type, or the requirements from the second user type), characteristics, such as provided temperature, steam quality, medium or coolant type of transportation, transport system design, associated with the nuclear power plant may be varied. Furthermore, the design characteristics such as the voltage, current, frequency, phase, reliability,may be varied based on the end user requirements (e.g., requirements from the first user type, or the requirements from the second user type) as well.

[0148] To name a few non-limiting examples, possible benefits of example embodiments may comprise any or all of the following:

[0149] Because one or more small nuclear sources are incorporated in the nuclear power plant, fossil fuels are removed from the design and operation of the nuclear power plant and its operations.

[0150] As the first and second nuclear source can provide different temperatures and / or different steam qualities through the use of various reactor technologies and distribution networks, decarbonizing various industrial processes may be achieved.

[0151] By including a second type of nuclear source in the nuclear power plant, electricity at varying voltages, phases, frequencies and or reliability levels to various end users could be provided.

[0152] In some implementations, each large nuclear power source is powered by a respective dedicated small nuclear source, independent simplification and modularization of design of systems for the large nuclear power sources may be achieved.

[0153] In some applications, a small nuclear source may be utilized to power more than two large nuclear sources. Thus, redundance of small nuclear sources may be reduced, and distribution to large nuclear sources in multiple nuclear sources of nuclear power plants may be standardized.

[0154] As the nuclear power plant comprises multiple sized nuclear sources, which divide systems for the conventional large nuclear source to small different dedicated nuclear sources. Furthermore, those different sized nuclear sources are connected independently connections with electricity grid or electricity distribution systems.

[0155] Example embodiments of the nuclear power plant simplify paths and associated equipment to distribute electricity power from the large nuclear sources to end users via electricity grid or electricity distribution systems. Furthermore, paths and associated equipment to distribute heat from the large nuclear sources to end users are also simplified.

[0156] The large nuclear source of examples of the nuclear power plant may apply similar reactor technology as the small the nuclear source of examples of the nuclear power plant. In other examples, the large nuclear source of the nuclear power plant may apply different reactor technology as the small nuclear source of the nuclear power plant. The use of similar and dissimilar large and small nuclear sources technology in one nuclear power plant may add flexibilities and diversities of configuring example of the nuclear power plant.

[0157] It is possible to recycle nuclear fuel between dissimilar nuclear source reactor design technologies applied in examples of the nuclear power plant. For example, the spent fuel from the large nuclear source may be utilized as fuel in the small nuclear source. This recycling process may be performed by intent and design.

[0158] It becomes possible to use or continuously use the islanding of sites from the larger electricity grid by powering large nuclear sources via small nuclear sources.

[0159] By including the small nuclear sources, the whole nuclear site, including the nuclear power plant, ancillary buildings and facilities, may be powered by the small nuclear sources.

[0160] In some examples, the small nuclear sources may be utilized during the construction, outage, refurbishment or decommissioning phases of the life cycle of the nuclear power plant and / or the large nuclear sources.

[0161] In some examples, the nuclear power plant may be configured to decrease organizational burden to an emergency response to a large nuclear source or grid transient because the small nuclear sources are configured to power the subsystems of the large nuclear sources even in the event of the failure of the large nuclear source.

[0162] In some examples, flexibility and adaptability of example embodiments of the nuclear power plant to various sites may be increased. The nuclear power plant can be based on updates of a design to its modularized systems and nuclear sources, rather than a redesign of the entire nuclear power plant.

[0163] In some examples, second set of nuclear sources by their design that are connected to the grid during operation or islanding processes may be reduced or avoided.

[0164] In some examples, it is possible to close a nuclear fuel cycle within one site without requiring the movement of spent fissile material off site.

[0165] In some alternative examples, because the nuclear power plant includes an additional fuel reprocessing system to reprocess nuclear fuel, the nuclear fuel under the same site could be reutilized and produced.

[0166] In some examples, the consolidation of licenses for the varying processes may close the nuclear fuel cycle under one site.

[0167] In some alternative examples, because the nuclear power plant includes an additional nuclear isotope processing system to process isotopes (e.g., medical isotopes, especially isotopes with really short half-lives) produced by the one or more first nuclear sources, efficiency processing of the medical isotopes may be improved.

[0168] As the isotopes can be generated from the nuclear power plant, it provides fast and easy access isotope supply chain for transportation worldwide to the market.

[0169] Examples of the nuclear power plant may be applied in any suitable nuclear roles to perform respective responsibilities under one site.

[0170] As the isotopes can be generated from the nuclear power plant, commercial production and processing of isotopes may be performed under one site.

[0171] Example embodiments include a nuclear power plant that includes at least two types of nuclear sources. In particular, while small nuclear sources included in the nuclear power plant provide power to the subsystems of the large nuclear sources, the small nuclear sources supply heat to end users at a desired temperature with a desired a steam quality. Because incorporating the small nuclear sources included in the nuclear power plant, the nuclear power plant could provide more than one temperate heat to end users based on end user’s requirements (e.g., electricity and / or heat distribution needs), which may enable the nuclear power plant to fulfill a variety of requirements in industrial and commercial applications.

[0172] Furthermore, the small nuclear sources may enable the nuclear power plant to provide a desired electricity reliability that typical prior large nuclear power plants cannot achieve.

[0173] In some embodiments, the nuclear power plant may further include a fuel reprocessing system that is configured to reprocess nuclear fuel utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear sources) and to transmit the reprocessed nuclear fuel to the one or more first or second nuclear sources (e.g., small nuclear sources). The additional fuelreprocessing system may help to improve the efficiency of nuclear fuel consumption and reduce long term nuclear waste.

[0174] In some embodiments, the nuclear power plant may further include a nuclear isotope processing system configured to process isotopes utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources (e.g., large nuclear sources). The nuclear isotope processing system may produce medical isotopes, especially isotopes with really short half-lives, with high efficiency. The nuclear isotope processing system may enable easy access of the nuclear power plant to isotope supply chain for transportation worldwide.

[0175] In some examples, when the nuclear power plant comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources, one of the plurality of second nuclear sources may accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources being unavailable.

[0176] In some implementations, reactor technologies for different types / size types of nuclear sources (e.g., the large nuclear source, small nuclear source, and the smaller nuclear sources) are different.

[0177] Examples of first nuclear power sources may be utilized in a subordinate role or secondary role with a purpose-built operation, such as drilling platform, space craft, train, icebreaker, container ship and submarine, while second nuclear power sources may be utilized in a primary role with the purpose-built operation.

[0178] Currently, prior art nuclear power plants supply power to assorted operations to better fulfill their purpose or requirements. The most commonly known example is the nuclear submarine that includes a nuclear power plant. The nuclear power plant on the submarine both generates propulsion to create force to move the submarine and fulfills secondary needs. A typical nuclear power plant comprises a nuclear reactor, nuclear fuel, reactor power systems, heat transport systems and support systems (also referred to as subsystems). In some examples, the subsystems comprise safety systems, coolant systems, control systems, electrical distribution systems, and fluid distributions systems, boilers or steam generators, condensers, high-pressure turbine systems, low-pressure turbine systems, reheat systems, power transmission systems and fossil fuel backup systems, fossil fuel storage facilities, and associated backup systems. In some examples, the backup systems include pumps, compressors, control systems, etc., to support the operation.

[0179] FIG. 8 shows a prior art container ship 802 that includes a prior art nuclear power plant 804. Typical nuclear power plant 804 includes one or more large nuclear sources 8042 that generate powers, regardless of reactor technology selected. The generated power is distributed through a power distribution system 808 to systems 806 (also referred to as shipping container systems 806) of the container ship 802 and received back to the nuclear power plant 804’ own internal distribution system 8044. The received power is distributed to subsystems of the nuclear power plant 804 via the internal distribution system 8044. In some examples, shipping container systems 806 comprises as a propulsion system 8062, fans 8064, pumps 8066, control systems 8068, and lights 8070. To name a few non-limiting examples, the subsystems of the nuclear power plant 804 may include lights 8028’, fans 8030’, pumps 8032’, control systems 8034’ and so on. The container ship 802 may further comprise a fossil fuel back up system 810 that is connected to the power distribution system 808 to operate in the event the nuclear power plant 8042 is unavailable, such as ceases to produce power.

[0180] FIG. 9 illustrates an engineered system 902, e.g., a container ship 902, according to an example embodiment. The engineered system 902 comprises at least one first nuclear source 904, an operation system 906, and one or more second nuclear source 910. The operation system 906 comprises a primary function system 9062 and a secondary function system 9064 that are jointly configured to perform operations for the engineered system 902. The primary function system 9062 is configured to perform primary function or primary operation of the engineered system 902. The secondary function system 9064 is configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the engineered system 902. In the example of FIG. 9, the primary function is propulsion, and the primary function system 9062 includes a propulsion system 90622 that generates propulsive force for the container ship 902.

[0181] In the example of FIG. 9, the first nuclear source 904 may include a large nuclear source 904, which only provides power to the primary function system 9062 (e.g., a propulsion system 90622) of the container ship 902, such as via a first power distribution system 908, while the one or more second nuclear source 910 (e.g., small nuclear sources 910) distribute power via a second power distribution system 912 which powers subsystems of the large nuclear power source 904 and the secondary function system 9064 of the container ship 902.

[0182] As shown in FIG. 9, the subsystems of the large nuclear power source 904 may include lights 9028’, fans 9030’, pumps 9032’, and control systems 9034’, to name a few nonlimiting examples. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the subsystems may include any suitable components and may have different configurations. For examples, the subsystems of the large nuclear power source 904 may further comprise coolant pumps, safety systems, power transfer systems, control system power, heat removal systems, purification and storage systems, fuel handling systems, control rod system, radiation monitoring systems.

[0183] What is more, the secondary function system 9064 may include fans 90642, pumps 90644, control systems 90646, and lights 90648, which are configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the engineered system 902. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the secondary function system may include any suitable components and may have different configurations.

[0184] In the example of FIG. 9, the large nuclear source 904 is configured to only power the primary function system 9062 (e.g., propulsion system 90622) of the container ship 902 via the first power distribution system 908. The large nuclear source 904 and associated systems are specifically and uniquely designed for the purpose of only powering the propulsion system 90622. In other words, the large nuclear source 904 reliably outputs steady power for propulsion at high outputs for long durations with minimal risk of transients, maintenance, or refueling because the large nuclear source 904 is specifically utilized to generate propulsive force.

[0185] It should be noted that subsystems of the large nuclear power source 904 are designed and implemented with the consideration that the one or more small nuclear source 910 is operating them rather than the large nuclear source 904. Furthermore, it should be understood that the large nuclear source 904 is further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations.

[0186] It should be appreciated that the small nuclear sources 910 are designed with the greater operation and for supporting the large nuclear source 904 and are therefore optimized for design requirements therein. In some examples, the small nuclear source 910 outputs voltage at 240V, 50Hz at 3 phases for the purpose of powering the subsystems of the large nuclear source 904 and the secondary function system 9064. In some applications, the small nuclear source 910is configured to have the capacity for providing over 50% capacity full reactor power at a reliability level of 99.5%.

[0187] It is understood that although two small nuclear sources are illustrated in FIG. 9 for ease of understanding, this is only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the number of the small nuclear sources 910 may be any number greater than one. For example, one single small nuclear source might be utilized for the role of supporting a large nuclear source and the secondary function system 9064 of the container ship 902. In some other examples, the small nuclear source 910 may further provide backup propulsive power to the primary function system 9062 (e.g., a propulsion system 90622).

[0188] It should be also appreciated that an amount of power that the small nuclear source is configured to provide varies based on the design and reactor technologies applied. If there are more than one small nuclear source, the small nuclear source could vary in size.

[0189] Furthermore, in some possible configurations, each of the one or more first nuclear sources 904 applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources 910 applies a second reactor technology. The first reactor technology may be different than the second reactor technology.

[0190] FIG. 10 illustrates a large engineered system 1002 according to an alternative example embodiment. The engineered system 1002 may be a freight train 1002. The large engineered system 1002 comprises at least one first nuclear source 1004, an operation system 1006, and one or more second nuclear sources 1010. The operation system 1006 is configured to perform operations for the large engineered system 1002 and comprises a primary function system 10062 and a secondary function system 10064. The primary function system 10062 is configured to perform primary function or primary operation of the large engineered system 1002. The secondary function system 10064 is configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the large engineered system 1002. In the example of FIG. 10 where the engineered system 1002 is a freight train 1002, the primary function system 10062 may be a locomotive system 100622 that is powered by the at least one first nuclear source 1004.

[0191] In some examples, the first nuclear source 1004 may be a large nuclear source 1004, and the second nuclear source 1010 may be a small nuclear source 1010. The first nuclear source 1004 may apply a first reactor technology, and the second nuclear source 1006 may apply asecond reactor technology. The first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology. The size of the first nuclear source 1004 may be different than the size of the second nucl ear source 1010.

[0192] In the example of FIG. 10, the large nuclear source 1004 specifically powers the primary function system 10062 (e.g., locomotive system 100622) via a first power distribution system 1008. Furthermore, two small nuclear sources 1010 distribute power to subsystem of the large nuclear source 1004 and the secondary function system 10064 of the large engineered system 1002, via a second power distribution system 1012.

[0193] In some examples, the subsystems of the large nuclear power source 1004 may include lights 10028’, fans 10030’, pumps 10032’, and control systems 10034’, to name a few non-limiting examples. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the subsystems may include any suitable components and may have different configurations.

[0194] Furthermore, the secondary function system 10064 may include fans 100642, pumps 100644, control systems 100646, and lights 100648, which are configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the large engineered system 1002. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the secondary function system may include any suitable components and may have different configurations.

[0195] It should be noted that subsystems of the large nuclear source 1004 are designed and implemented with the consideration that the two small nuclear sources 1010, rather than the large nuclear source 1004, are both designed for powering the subsystems. Furthermore, the large nuclear source 1004 is further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations. The large nuclear source 1004 is further designed and constructed for the sole purpose of providing locomotive propulsion to the freight train 1002.

[0196] In some examples, the large nuclear source 1004 is designed with the capacity for continuous and immediate load in a range of 10-100%. The large nuclear source 1004 has the ability to increase to full power rapidly and decrease power rapidly without causing impacts of xenon and other poisoning byproducts.

[0197] In some examples, the small nuclear source 1010 may be designed to output electricity at 120V, 60Hz, at a moderate phase angle and 3 phases. The configuration of the small nuclear source 1010 enables a variety of functions to be implemented efficiently throughout the train system 1002. The small nuclear source 1010 may provide active and live load and may need regular refueling to ensure smooth and fast operations with commercially permissible enrichment levels of uranium.

[0198] It is to be appreciated that the specific design and configuration (e.g., the voltage, frequency, phase angle, and phases) are an example of the small nuclear source 1010 for ease of understanding. This is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the configuration of the small nuclear sources 1010 may have any suitable configurations. For example, any suitable number of phases may be configured with the small nuclear source 1010 when appropriate, such as to comply the electricity requirement in a specific country. Furthermore, in other possible configurations, any value of the output electricity may be configured with the small nuclear source 1010 when appropriate.

[0199] It is understood that although two small nuclear sources are illustrated in FIG. 10 for ease of understanding, this is only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the number of the small nuclear sources 1010 may be any number greater than one. For example, one single small nuclear source might be utilized for the role of supporting a large nuclear source and the secondary function system 10064 of the train system 1002. In some other examples, the small nuclear source 1010 may further provide backup propulsive power to the primary function system 10062 (e.g., a locomotive system 100622).

[0200] FIG. 11 illustrates a large engineered system 1102 according to an alternative example embodiment. In some examples, the engineered system 1102 may be an offshore hjnuiygoh9 platform 1102. The large engineered system 1102 comprises at least one first nuclear source 1104, an operation system 1106, and one or more second nuclear sources 1110. The operation system 1106 is configured to perform operations for the large engineered system 1102 and comprises a primary function system 11062 and a secondary function system 11064. The primary function system 11062 is configured to perform primary function or primary operation of the large engineered system 1102. The secondary function system 11064 is configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the large engineered system 1102. In theexample of FIG. 11 where the engineered system 1102 is an off-shore platform 1102, the primary function system 10062 may be an off-shore platform system 110622 that is powered by the at least one first nuclear source 1104, e.g., via the first power distribution system 1108.

[0201] In some examples, the first nuclear source 1104 may be a large nuclear source 1104, and the second nuclear source 1110 may be a small nuclear source 1110. The first nuclear source 1104 may apply a first reactor technology, and the second nuclear source 1106 may apply a second reactor technology. The first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology. The size of the first nuclear source 1104 may be different than the size of the second nuclear source 1110.

[0202] In the example of FIG. 11, the large nuclear source 1104 specifically powers the primary function system 11062 (e.g., offshore platform system 110622) via a first power distribution system 1108. Furthermore, two small nuclear sources 1110 distribute power to subsystem of the large nuclear source 1104 and the secondary function system 11064 of the large engineered system 1102, via a second power distribution system 1112.

[0203] In some examples, the subsystems of the large nuclear power source 1104 may include lights 11028’, fans 11030’, pumps 11032’, and control systems 11034’, to name a few non-limiting examples. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the subsystems may include any suitable components and may have different configurations.

[0204] Furthermore, the secondary function system 11064 may include fans 110642, pumps 110644, control systems 110646, and lights 110648, which are configured to perform secondary function or secondary operation of the large engineered system 1102. This is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the secondary function system may include any suitable components and may have different configurations.

[0205] It should be noted that subsystems of the large nuclear source 1104 are designed and implemented with the consideration that the two small nuclear sources 1110, rather than the large nuclear source 1104, are both designed for powering the subsystems. Furthermore, the large nuclear source 1104 is further optimized in design with the aforementioned considerations. The large nuclear source 1104 is further designed and constructed for the sole purpose of fulfillingthe primary function on the offshore rig or oil platform, such as providing drilling power to the primary function system 11062.

[0206] In some examples, the large nuclear source 1104 is designed with the capacity short bursts of use at 100% and long continuous usage between 50-75% power output, with considerable design considerations for overpower, or power transient prevention applications, and the ability.

[0207] In some applications, the small nuclear source 1110 is designed to output electricity at 4800V, 60Hz, at 3 phases, which permits the efficient operation of the variety of industrial functions and processes throughout the offshore platform, as well as the supply for the controls, and accommodations, and the large engineered system 1102. The small nuclear source 1110 may provide active and live load following over 50% power output but may regularly operate between 75-85% capacity. In some design, it may be configured with an 8-year core replacement cycle to facilitate long operating life and minimize any interactions involving fuel when in operation.

[0208] It is understood that although two small nuclear sources are illustrated in FIG. 11 for ease of understanding, this is only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the number of the small nuclear sources 1110 may be any number greater than one. For example, one single small nuclear source might be utilized for the role of supporting a large nuclear source and the secondary function system 11064 of the offshore platform 1102. In some other examples, the small nuclear source 1110 may further provide backup drilling power to the primary function system 11062 (e.g., an offshore platform system 110622). Furthermore, it is understood that although one large nuclear source is illustrated in FIG. 11 for ease of understanding, this is only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the number of the large nuclear sources 1104 may be any number greater than one.

[0209] It is also appreciated that the first nuclear source may apply a first reactor technology, and the second nuclear source may apply a second reactor technology. The first reactor technology may be different than or the same with the second reactor technology. The size of the first nuclear source may be different than or identical to the size of the second nuclear source.

[0210] By including one or more another type of nuclear sources in the nuclear power plant, secondary functions or subordinate functions performed by the large nuclear source may beshifted to smaller, more reliable and safer nuclear sources so that the large nuclear source could exclusively power the primary function of a large engineered system, for example including a special-purpose ship (e.g., container ship), a train, a drilling platform, or a space craft, icebreaker, and submarine.

[0211] In some example embodiments, the power described in view of FIGs. 8-11 may include heat or electricity. In some applications, the heat produced by the large nuclear source may be converted into mechanical energy and used directly to perform the primary or principal function. In other examples, it could be possible for some or all of such heat to be converted into electrical energy and used for the primary or principal function, when appropriate.

[0212] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating units or modules of a large engineered system 1200 in accordance with an example embodiment. In some examples, the large engineered system 1200 may comprise a special-purpose ship (e.g., container ship), a train, a drilling platform, or a space craft, icebreaker, and submarine. As shown in FIG. 12, the engineered system 700 comprises one or more first nuclear sources 1202, one or more second nuclear sources 1204 and an operation system 1220. The operation system 1220 comprises a primary function system 1222 and a secondary function system 1224 that are jointly configured to perform operations for the large engineered system 1200.

[0213] The one or more first nuclear sources 1202 are configured to produce power (e.g., heat and / or electricity) to supply a primary component / system of the operation system 1222, e.g., via a first power distribution system 1210. Each of the one or more first nuclear sources 1202 includes a first subsystem 1204 configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source 1204.

[0214] The one or more second nuclear sources 1206 are configured to produce power to supply the one or more first subsystems 1204 and to supply secondary components 1224 of the operation system 1220.

[0215] As the first nuclear source 1202 could exclusively power the primary component 1222 of the operation system 1220, the safety of powering may be improved significantly.

[0216] In some examples, the first power distribution system 1210 may be included in the large engineered system 1200.

[0217] In some examples, the one or more first subsystems 1204 comprise at least one of a coolant pump, a safety system, a power transfer system, a power control system, a heat removal system, a purification and storage system, a fuel handling system, a control rod system, or a radiation monitoring system.

[0218] In some examples, the one or more second nuclear sources 1206 may further produce power to supply the primary component 1222 of the operation system 1220, e.g., via the second power distribution system 1212, when the one or more first nuclear sources 1202 are unavailable.

[0219] The primary component 1222 of the operation system 1220 provides the primary function of the engineered system 1200. In case where the engineered system 1200 is a special purpose ship, a container ship or a submarine, the primary component 1222 may be a propulsion system or a maritime propulsion system to provide propulsive power for the engineered system 1200.

[0220] In case where the engineered system 1200 is a train, the primary component 1222 may be a locomotive system to generate torque, friction, and etc., for the engineered system 1200.

[0221] In case where the engineered system 1200 is an offshore platform, the primary component 1222 may be a drilling to generate drilling force for the engineered system 1200.

[0222] In some examples, the one or more second nuclear sources 1206 comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources 1206, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources 1206 is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources 1206 being unavailable.

[0223] In some examples, the plurality of second nuclear sources produces power to the one or more first subsystems via a common second power distribution system (e.g., the common power distribution system 9044, 10044, 11044).

[0224] In some examples, each of the one or more first nuclear sources 1202 applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources 1206 applies a second reactor technology. The first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology.

[0225] Alternatively, a respective size of the one or more first nuclear sources 1202 is greater than that of the one or more second nuclear sources 1206.

[0226] In some examples, the power provided and utilized in the engineered system 1200 comprises heat or electricity.

[0227] To name a few non-limiting examples, possible benefits of example embodiments may comprise any or all of the following:

[0228] Because one or more small nuclear sources are incorporated in the engineered system to provide power for the secondary functions, fossil fuels are removed from the design and operation of the nuclear power plant involved in operating larger operations and their operations

[0229] Because subsystems of large nuclear source(s) are powered by dedicated small nuclear source(s), the large nuclear power source could be configured to exclusively power the primary function of the operation system. Independent simplification, optimization and modularization of design of the engineered systems may be achieved.

[0230] Because the large nuclear power source exclusively powers the primary function of the operation system while the second nuclear sources provide for secondary functions, the operation of the engineered system may be safer.

[0231] Operation or power supplement for the large nuclear source and small nuclear source may be separated.

[0232] As the large nuclear source is specifically designed to power the primary functionality of the operation system, rather than other functionalities of the operation system, only singularly functionally specific design is needed for the large nuclear source.

[0233] The small nuclear source may be specifically designed to fulfill the powering requirement of the subsystems of the large nuclear source and the secondary function of the operation system.

[0234] The large nuclear source and the small nuclear source may have different respective sizes to provide varying power, electrical, thermal, or mechanical power.

[0235] Furthermore, path and associated equipment to provide power for the primary function from the one or more large nuclear sources may be simplified.

[0236] The large nuclear source of examples of the nuclear power plant may apply similar reactor technology as the small the nuclear source of examples of the nuclear power plant. Inother examples, the large nuclear source of the nuclear power plant may apply different reactor technology as the small nuclear source of the nuclear power plant. The use of similar and dissimilar large and small nuclear sources technology in one nuclear power plant may add flexibilities and diversities of configuring example of the nuclear power plant.

[0237] The large nuclear source’s safety systems may be redesigned based on new considerations due to new nuclear power plant, new probabilistic and safety modeling based on reliability of small nuclear sources compared with prior art nuclear power plants.

[0238] Operation of the large power source may be minimized for specifically powering the primary system of the large engineered system, which may help to improve the safety from the large nuclear source output.

[0239] In some examples, the effects of disturbances or transients from the large power source may be minimized based the small nuclear source could be act as a backup source.

[0240] In some possible configurations, large nuclear source fuel and core safety may be increased both during operation and during emergent events as the safety of the large nuclear source and its fuel is not dependent on its own operation.

[0241] Therefore, risk of nuclear accidents involving the large nuclear source may be reduced.

[0242] In some applications, the large engineered system utilizes the small nuclear sources as a means for powering or supporting operations outside the large nuclear source.

[0243] What is more, because the small nuclear source could accommodate a power of power caused the large nuclear source, organizational burden to an emergency response to a large nuclear source failure may be decreased.

[0244] Examples of a nuclear power plant may be utilized in a reheat cycle of a turbine generator system, in order to improve efficiency of produced energy.

[0245] Conventionally, prior art nuclear power plants produce power most commonly by transforming energy into electricity via a steam turbine generator system. The steam turbine generator system is optimized by making use of some of the energy prior to a high-pressure turbine system to reheat later stages of the steam before entering different low-pressure turbines.The process increases the overall thermal efficiency of the steam turbine generator system and enable the steam turbine generator system to output a higher quantity of power.

[0246] FIG. 13 shows a prior art nuclear power plant 1300 that includes a nuclear reactor / nuclear source 1302, a boiler 1304, a high-pressure turbine 1306, a low-pressure turbine 1308, a generator 1310, a condenser 1312, a pump 1314, a heat line 1316, and so on. In the conventional process, the nuclear source 1302 feeds heat to the boiler 1304. The boiler converts the heat to steam and transports it to a high-pressure turbine 1306. The output of the high-pressure turbine 1306 is transported back to the boiler 1304 via the reheat line 1316. The heat is output from the boiler 1304 and then enters the low-pressure turbine 1308, and the generator 1310 generates electricity from the heat generated from the boiler 1304 via the generator 1310. The steam that leaves the low-pressure turbine 1308 is then sent to the condenser 1312 and goes to the pump 1314 and is then transported back to the nuclear source 1302.

[0247] FIG. 14 illustrates a turbine generator system 1400 according to an example embodiment. The turbine generator system 1400 includes first nuclear reactor / nuclear source 1402, a boiler 1404, a high-pressure turbine 1406, a low-pressure turbine 1408, a generator 1410, a condenser 1412, a pump 1414, a reheat system 1416, and so on.

[0248] In the example of FIG. 14, the first nuclear source 1402 feeds all of the heat to the boiler 1404. The boiler 1404 transports the heat to a high-pressure turbine 1406. The output of the high-pressure turbine 1406 is sent to a reheat system 1416 before going to the low-pressure turbine 1408. After the low-pressure turbine 1408 receives the heat, the generator 1410 generates electricity from the heat transported from the low-pressure turbine 1408 via the generator 1410. The steam that leaves the low-pressure turbine 1408 is then sent to the condenser 1412 and goes to the pump 1414 and is then transported back to the nuclear source 1402.

[0249] The reheat system 1418 is disposed between the high-pressure turbine 1406 and the low-pressure turbine 1408 such that the heat output by the high pressure turbine 1406 can be reheated by the reheat system 1418 and then transport the reheated power to the low-pressure turbine 1408.

[0250] In some examples, the reheat system 1418 comprises a second nuclear reactor / nuclear source 14166 and reheater 14164. The reheater 14164 comprises a reheat line 14162. Thesecond nuclear source 14166 provides power to the reheater 14164, enables the reheater to reheat the steam, and produces steam with a desired steam quality at a desired temperature

[0251] The desired temperature is higher that that generated by the conventional steam turbine generator system, such as the conventional steam turbine generator system 1300.

[0252] In some examples, the second nuclear source may be a small nuclear source for the reheat processing or reheat cycle.

[0253] Although this examples only shows that only heat is produced for a reheat cycle of by utilizing a large nuclear source and / or a small nuclear source, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other possible examples, the small nuclear source produces heat or electricity for other applications as well.

[0254] It should be understood that although the reheat system 1416 is placed between one set of pressure turbines, e.g., the high-pressure turbine 1406 and the lower pressure turbine 1408, this is only illustrative and is not intended to be limiting. In other examples, the reheat system 1416 may be placed in any other suitable set of pressure turbine or may be utilized between any pressure turbine pair. In other words, if the turbine generator system 1400 comprise more than one pressure turbine pair (e.g., more than one turbine pair including a high pressure turbine and a low pressure turbine), the reheat system 1416 may be placed in any or all of the pressure turbine pairs if appropriate.

[0255] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating units or modules of a turbine generator system in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, a turbine generator system 1500 comprises first nuclear source 1502, a steam generator 1504, a first pressure turbine 1506, a reheat system 1508, a second pressure turbine 1510. The first nuclear source 1502 is configured to feed heat to a steam generator 1504, and the steam generator 1504 is configured to generate first steam of a first pressure and to transport the first steam to the first pressure turbine 1506. The first pressure turbine 1506 is configured to receive the first steam and to output second steam at a second pressure. The reheat system 1508 is configured to be disposed between the first pressure turbine 1506 and the second pressure turbine 1508 and to produce third steam with a desired steam quality at a desired temperature.

[0256] In particular, the reheat system 1508 includes a reheater 15082 and second nuclear source 15084. The reheater 15082 is configured to receive the second steam from the first pressure turbine 1506, and the second nuclear source 15084 is configured to feed energy into the reheater 15082 to produce the third steam with the desired steam quality at the desired temperature.

[0257] In some examples, the first pressure turbine is a high-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the first steam at the first pressure that is higher than a first threshold.

[0258] Furthermore, in other examples, the second pressure turbine is a low-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the reheated second steam at a pressure that is lower than a second threshold.

[0259] In some examples, the turbine generator system 1500 may be utilized in a nuclear power plant to improve efficiency of generating heat.

[0260] In some examples, the second nuclear source 15084 supplies heat at a temperature that is greater than that of the first nuclear source 1502.

[0261] In some examples, the first nuclear source 1502 applies a first reactor technology, and the second nuclear source applies a second reactor technology, and the first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology.

[0262] In some examples, the second pressure turbine 1510 is configured to receive the third steam and to output fourth steam.

[0263] In some examples, the turbine generator system 1500 may further comprise a condenser configured to convert the fourth steam into liquid water.

[0264] In some examples, the turbine generator system 1500 may further a pump configured to move the liquid water back to the steam generator 1504.

[0265] In some examples, the second nuclear source 15084 is configured to transfer heat without the third steam.

[0266] In some examples, the second nuclear source 15084 utilizes molten salt as heat transport medium.

[0267] The desired temperature may be a temperature higher than a defined value, and the desired steam quality may be a steam quality higher than a defined value.

[0268] It is to be appreciated that although the components shown in FIG. 15 are provided as an example for simplicity and clarity of illustration, there may be more or less components or alternative layouts in other embodiments.

[0269] To name a few non-limiting examples, possible benefits of example embodiments may comprise any or all of the following:

[0270] In some applications, thermal efficiency of the turbine generator system by using the large nuclear source and the reheat system may be increased.

[0271] Furthermore, because the steam quality entering the low-pressure turbine is increased, maintenance and life span of constituent components may be reduced.

[0272] In some examples, dissimilar heat transport means between separate nuclear sources are utilized to produce greater thermal efficiency.

[0273] The first nuclear source (e.g., the large nuclear source) of examples of the nuclear power plant may apply similar reactor technology as the second nuclear source (e.g., the small nuclear source) of examples of the nuclear power plant. In other examples, the large nuclear source of the nuclear power plant may apply different reactor technology as the small nuclear source of the nuclear power plant. The use of similar and dissimilar large and small nuclear sources technology in one nuclear power plant may add flexibilities and diversities of configuring example of the nuclear power plant.

[0274] Example embodiments described herein provides a nuclear power plant which is capable to provide heat with different respective temperatures to end users with different respective needs. For examples, a first type of nuclear sources produces heat to supply the one or more first users via first thermal transmission connections, and a second type of nuclear sources produces heat to supply the one or more second users via second thermal transmission connections.

[0275] In some applications, the first thermal transmission connections may utilize a first medium for heat transportation, and the second thermal transmission connections may utilize asecond medium for heat transportation. In some examples, the first medium is different than the second medium.

[0276] Example embodiments described herein further provides a large engineered system where one nuclear source specifically provide power for supporting a primary function of an operation system of the large engineered system, while other nuclear source of another type may provide power for supporting a secondary function of the operation system.

[0277] Example embodiments described herein further provides a turbine generator system that includes a reheat system to reheat the heat input into the reheat system. Thus, the output heat may have a higher temperature and higher steam quality.

[0278] In example embodiments, the terms “a” or “an” are defined to mean “at least one”, that is, these terms do not exclude a plural number of items, unless stated otherwise.

[0279] In example embodiments, terms such as “substantially”, “generally” and “about”, which modify a value, condition or characteristic of a feature of an example embodiment, should be understood to mean that the value, condition or characteristic is defined within tolerances that are acceptable for the proper operation of the example embodiment for its intended application.

[0280] In example embodiments, unless stated otherwise, the terms “connected” and “coupled”, and derivatives and variants thereof, refer herein to any structural or functional connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements. For example, the connection or coupling between the elements can be acoustical, mechanical, optical, electrical, thermal, logical, or any combinations thereof.

[0281] In example embodiments, expressions such as “match”, “matching” and “matched”, including variants and derivatives thereof, are intended to refer herein to a condition in which two or more elements are either the same or within some predetermined tolerance of each other. That is, these terms are meant to encompass not only “exactly” or “identically” matching the two elements but also “substantially”, “approximately” or “subjectively” matching the two or more elements, as well as providing a higher or best match among a plurality of matching possibilities.

[0282] In example embodiments, the expression “based on” is intended to mean “based at least partly on”, that is, this expression can mean “based solely on” or “based partially on”, and so should not be interpreted in a limited manner. More particularly, the expression “based on”could also be understood as meaning “depending on”, “representative of’, “indicative of’, “associated with” or similar expressions.

[0283] In example embodiments, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality of' means two or more. The term "and / or" describes an association relationship of associated objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may indicate the following three cases: Only A exists, both A and B exist, and only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The character " / " indicates an "or" relationship between associated objects. "At least one of the following items (pieces)" or a similar expression thereof indicates any combination of these items, including a single item (piece) or any combination of a plurality of items (pieces). For example, "at least one of A, B, or C" includes: only A; only B; only C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B, and C, and "at least one of A, B, and C" may also be understood as including: only A; only B; only C; A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B, and C. In addition, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" in embodiments of this application are used to distinguish between a plurality of objects, and are not used to limit a sequence, a time sequence, priorities, or importance of the plurality of objects.

[0284] A person skilled in the art should understand that embodiments of this application may be provided as a method, an apparatus (or system), computer-readable storage medium, or a computer program product. Therefore, this application may use a form of a hardware-only embodiment, a software-only embodiment, or an embodiment with a combination of software and hardware. Moreover, this application may use a form of a computer program product that is implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to a disk memory, an optical memory, and the like) that include computer-usable program code.

[0285] This application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the method, the device (system), and the computer program product according to this application. It should be understood that computer program instructions may be used to implement each process and / or each block in the flowcharts and / or the block diagrams and a combination of a process and / or a block in the flowcharts and / or the block diagrams. The computer program instructions may be provided for a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of another programmable data processing device and enable a machine to execute the instructions. When executed by any computer or theprocessor of a programmable data processing device, the instructions cause the apparatus to implement specific functions as described in one or more procedures in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams. The computer program instructions may alternatively be stored in a computer-readable memory that can indicate a computer or another programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory generate an artifact that includes an instruction apparatus. The instruction apparatus implements a specific function in one or more procedures in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0286] The computer program instructions may alternatively be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device, so that a series of operations and steps are performed on the computer or the another programmable device, so that computer-implemented processing is generated. Therefore, the instructions executed on the computer or on another programmable device provide steps for implementing specific functions as described in one or more procedures in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0287] It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to this application without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover these modifications and variations of this application provided that they fall within the scope of protection defined by the following claims and their equivalent technologies.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A nuclear power plant comprising:one or more first nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to supply a first electricity distribution system associated with one or more first users and to produce heat to supply the one or more first users via first thermal transmission connections, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources includes a first subsystem configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source; and one or more second nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to supply the one or more first subsystems and to supply a second electricity distribution system associated with one or more second users and further to produce heat to supply the one or more second users via second thermal transmission connections, wherein a first temperature of the heat provided to the one or more first users is different than a second temperature of the heat provided to the one or more second users.

2. The nuclear power plant of claim 1, wherein the one or more first users comprise one or more users of a first user type, the one or more second users comprise one or more users of a second user type, and the first user type is different than the second user type.

3. The nuclear power plant of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the one or more second users comprise a plant that consumes electricity and heat.

4. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first thermal transmission connections are separate from the second thermal transmission connections.

5. The nuclear power plant of claim 2, wherein a first medium utilized in each of the first thermal transmission connections to transfer the heat at the first temperature depends on a desired temperature with the first user type, and a second medium utilized in the second thermal transmission connections to transfer the heat at the second temperature depends on a desired temperature associated with the second user type.

6. The nuclear power plant of claim 5, wherein the first medium is different than the second medium.

7. The nuclear power plant of claim 5 or 6, wherein one of the second thermal transmission connections utilizes liquid metal as the second medium to transfer the heat at the second temperature.

8. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources being unavailable.

9. The nuclear power plant of claim 8, wherein the plurality of second nuclear sources produces electricity to the one or more first subsystems via a common distribution system.

10. The nuclear power plant of claim 9, wherein the common electricity distribution system is configured to be connected with the second electricity distribution system via a station input transformer to supply electricity to the one or more second users or receive electricity from the one or more second users.

11. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the first temperature is less than the second temperature.

12. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to produce heat to supply a second user of a specific user type via a respective second thermal transmission connection.

13. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to produce heat to supply a plurality of second users of a common specific user type via respective second thermal transmission connections.

14. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein each of the one or more second nuclear sources includes a second subsystem, and the nuclear power plant further comprises one or more third nuclear sources configured to produce electricity to the one or more second subsystems of the one or more second nuclear sources.

15. The nuclear power plant of claim 14, wherein the one or more third nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity to supply a component of the one or more first subsystems.

16. The nuclear power plant of claim 14, wherein the one or more third nuclear sources are further configured to produce heat to supply the one or more first users via third thermal transmission connections and to supply the one or more second users via fourth thermal transmission connections.

17. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, the first reactor technology being different than the second reactor technology.

18. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, and each of the one or more third nuclear sources applies a third reactor technology, and the first reactor technology, the second reactor technology and the third reactor technology are different.

19. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising a fuel reprocessing system configured to reprocess nuclear fuel utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources and to transmit the reprocessed nuclear fuel to the one or more second nuclear sources.

20. The nuclear power plant of claim 19, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the fuel reprocessing system.

21. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising a nuclear isotope processing system configured to process isotopes utilized by the one or more first nuclear sources.

22. The nuclear power plant of claim 21, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce electricity and heat to supply the nuclear isotope processing system.

23. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the one or more first nuclear sources comprises a plurality of first nuclear sources each of which is configured toproduce heat to supply a plurality of first users of a common specific user type via respective first thermal transmission connections.

24. The nuclear power plant of any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a first range, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a second range that is less than the first range.

25. A engineered system comprising an operation system, one or more first nuclear sources, one or more second nuclear sources, whereinthe operation system configured to perform operations for the engineered system; the one or more first nuclear sources configured to produce power to supply a primary component of the operation system, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources includes a first subsystem configured to provide respective operational functionalities to a corresponding first nuclear source; andthe one or more second nuclear sources configured to produce power to supply the one or more first subsystems and to supply secondary components of the operation system.

26. The engineered system of claim 25, further comprising a first power distribution system via which the one or more first nuclear sources are configured to supply the power to the primary component of the operation system.

27. The engineered system of claim 25 or 26, wherein the one or more first subsystems comprise at least one of a coolant pump, a safety system, a power transfer system, a power control system, a heat removal system, a purification and storage system, a fuel handling system, a control rod system, or a radiation monitoring system.

28. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources are further configured to produce power to supply the primary component of the operation system when the one or more first nuclear sources are unavailable.

29. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the primary component of the operation system comprises a maritime propulsion system.

30. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the one or more second nuclear sources comprises a plurality of second nuclear sources, and one of the plurality of second nuclear sources is configured to accommodate a loss of power caused by the other one of the plurality of second nuclear sources being unavailable.

31. The engineered system of claim 30, wherein the plurality of second nuclear sources produces power to the one or more first subsystems via a common second power distribution system.

32. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources applies a first reactor technology, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources applies a second reactor technology, the first reactor technology being different than the second reactor technology.

33. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 32, wherein a respective size of the one or more first nuclear sources is greater than that of the one or more second nuclear sources.

34. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 33, wherein the power comprises heat or electricity.

35. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 34, wherein the engineered system is a ship, a train, a drilling platform, or a space craft.

36. The engineered system of any one of claims 25 to 35, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a first range of 0-2000 megawatts, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a second range that is less than the first range.

37. A turbine generator system comprising:first nuclear source configured to feed heat to a steam generator;the steam generator configured to generate first steam of a first pressure and to transport the first steam to a first pressure turbine;the first pressure turbine configured to receive the first steam and to output second steam at a second pressure;a second pressure turbine;a reheat system configured to be disposed between the first pressure turbine and a second pressure turbine and to produce third steam with a desired steam quality and at a desired temperature,wherein the reheat system includes a reheater and second nuclear source, the reheater is configured to receive the second steam from the first pressure turbine, and the second nuclear source is configured to feed energy into the reheater to produce the third steam with the desired steam quality and at the desired temperature.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the first pressure turbine is a high-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the first steam at the first pressure that is higher than a first threshold.

39. The system of claim 37 or 38, wherein the second pressure turbine is a low-pressure turbine that is configured to receive the reheated second steam at a pressure that is lower than a second threshold.

40. The system of any one of claims 37 to 39, wherein the turbine generator system is utilized in a nuclear power plant.

41. The system of any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the second nuclear source supplies heat at a temperature that is greater than that of the first nuclear source.

42. The system of any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein the first nuclear source applies a first reactor technology, the second nuclear source applies a second reactor technology, and the first reactor technology is different than the second reactor technology.

43. The system of any one of claims 37 to 42, further comprising the second pressure turbine configured to receive the third steam and to output fourth steam.

44. The system of claim 43, further comprising a condenser configured to convert the fourth steam into liquid water.

45. The system of claim 44, further comprising a pump configured to move the liquid water back to the steam generator.

46. The system of any one of claims 37 to 45, wherein the second nuclear source is configured to transfer heat without the third steam.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the second nuclear source utilizes molten salt as fuel.

48. The system of any one of claims 37 to 47, wherein each of the one or more first nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a first range, and each of the one or more second nuclear sources is configured to produce electricity at a second range that is less than the first range.

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