A-Frame Reactor Building With Removable Nested Vessel Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reactor designs face challenges in integrating cooling, fuel, shielding, and structural support efficiently, particularly in small reactors, which affect their economic performance and operational flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The integration of A-frame structures with angled walls and nested vessels that facilitate modular systems, incorporating heat exchangers, solar panels, and lifting equipment, along with modular fuel cells and removable reactor components, enhances structural support, heat transfer, and operational flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional reactor designs are used, then structural support and shielding are provided, but integration of cooling, fuel, shielding, and structural support is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines cooling structures, fuel assemblies, shielding elements, and structural support into integrated modular units. The cooling channels are embedded within the fuel assembly structure itself, and shielding materials are incorporated into the structural components, creating a unified system that performs multiple functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor design employs universal modular components that can serve multiple functions. For example, the structural support beams also serve as mounting structures for cooling systems and shielding elements. The standardized modules can be configured for different reactor types and applications, providing adaptability across various nuclear power scenarios.
2Reliability
If small reactors are designed for distributed power generation, then resilience and longevity are improved, but economic performance and operational flexibility are affected
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor system is divided into independent modular units that can be deployed in distributed configurations. Each module contains complete fuel assemblies, cooling systems, and shielding, allowing them to operate independently or in parallel. This segmentation enables flexible scaling and improves reliability through redundancy while maintaining economic viability through standardized manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows adjustment of operational parameters such as power output, fuel enrichment levels, and cooling flow rates to optimize economic performance for different applications. The modular architecture enables parameter changes without requiring complete system redesign, facilitating adaptation to varying market conditions and energy demands.
3Temperature
If A-frame structures with angled walls are used, then heat transfer and natural circulation are enhanced, but construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The A-frame structure employs asymmetric angled walls that create natural convection currents and optimize heat transfer surfaces. The non-orthogonal geometry promotes upward airflow patterns that enhance passive cooling efficiency. The asymmetric design is standardized in modular sections that can be prefabricated and assembled, reducing on-site construction complexity despite the unconventional shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The A-frame modules are prefabricated with integrated cooling channels and heat transfer surfaces before delivery to the site. The angled walls and structural components are pre-assembled in controlled manufacturing environments, reducing on-site construction complexity. Connection interfaces and mounting points are pre-positioned to facilitate rapid assembly of the complete modular reactor system.
4Ease of repair
If modular systems with removable components are implemented, then maintenance and replacement are simplified, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor system is segmented into standardized modular units with clear separation interfaces. Fuel assemblies, cooling modules, and shielding sections can be independently removed and replaced. Each module is designed as a self-contained unit with standardized connection points, allowing maintenance personnel to replace specific components without disassembling the entire reactor system.
Solution Approach 2:
Universal standardized interfaces and mounting mechanisms are used across all modular components. The same connection systems, fastening methods, and alignment features are employed throughout the reactor, allowing different types of modules to be interchanged using identical procedures. This universality simplifies training and maintenance operations despite the modular architecture.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enables efficient heat removal, simplified construction, and resilient power generation, while allowing for modular maintenance and replacement of components, improving the economic performance and durability of small reactors.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger to transfer the heat from the coolant or cooling device to a power conversion system
Implementation Method 2
favorable heat transfer characteristics due to the arrangement of the building which promotes natural circulation and natural convection of the gases, such as air, in the building to enhance heat transfer to the environment
Implementation Method 3
structural support for radiator panels that reject waste heat to the environment
Implementation Method 4
natural convection of the gases, such as air, in the building to enhance heat transfer to the environment
Implementation Method 5
a solar panel system installed on one or more of the first side or the second side. The solar panel system is configured to generate electrical power for the one or more nuclear reactor systems
Implementation Method 6
favorable heat transfer characteristics due to the arrangement of the building which promotes natural circulation and natural convection of the gases, such as air, in the building
Data Source
AI summary
Reactor buildings and vessel systems are disclosed. A nuclear power system includes: a building structure that comprises at least two exterior side walls and two end walls, at least one of the exterior walls angled non-orthogonally relative to a floor of the building structure, the at least two exterior walls and two end walls defining an interior volume of the building structure; one or more nuclear reactor systems mounted at least partially in the interior volume of the building structure; and one or more heat exchanger systems mounted at least partially to at least one of the exterior walls. A nuclear reactor vessel system includes: a nuclear fission reactor; an inner vessel that defines an inner volume sized to at least partially enclose the nuclear fission reactor; and an outer vessel sized to wholly or substantially enclose the inner vessel, the inner vessel being removable from the outer vessel.