Annular Heat Pipe for Compact Nuclear Reactor Cooling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pipes are ineffective in efficiently removing heat from compact nuclear reactors, limiting further reductions in reactor size and increasing the risk of overheating and safety hazards due to their reliance on mechanical cooling systems and large coolant volumes.
Innovation Solution
The use of annular heat pipes with a concentric configuration and a wick structure that includes capillary materials and ribs, allowing for efficient heat transfer from the reactor core to a heat exchanger without the need for mechanical pumps or valves, utilizing a small amount of working fluid to manage thermal energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat pipes are used in compact nuclear reactors, then heat removal is achieved, but the system requires mechanical cooling systems and large coolant volumes, increasing device complexity and reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the mechanical cooling systems and large coolant volumes from the heat removal process. By using heat pipes with capillary wick structures, the system removes the need for external pumps, valves, and large coolant reservoirs, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable heat removal through passive capillary-driven fluid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pipe system is self-regulating through capillary action. The wick structure automatically draws coolant from the condensation zone back to the evaporation zone without external mechanical assistance. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems and mechanical components, improving reliability while reducing device complexity.
2Temperature
If conventional heat pipes with mechanical cooling systems are used, then heat is removed from the reactor core, but the system requires large coolant volumes, increasing the size of the reactor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the heat removal system by transitioning from high-volume active cooling to low-volume passive capillary cooling. The heat pipe system uses minimal coolant contained within the pipe structure, dramatically reducing the volume requirements while maintaining effective core temperature control through efficient phase-change heat transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical pumping systems with capillary-driven passive transport. The wick structure uses surface tension and capillary forces to circulate coolant, eliminating the need for large coolant volumes and mechanical infrastructure. This substitution maintains temperature control while significantly reducing the stationary object volume.
3Power
If conventional heat pipes are used, then heat transfer is achieved, but mechanical pumps and valves are required, increasing device complexity and potential failure points
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pipe system performs self-service through capillary action in the wick structure. Coolant is automatically drawn from the condensation zone to the evaporation zone without external mechanical assistance. This eliminates pumps, valves, and associated control systems, reducing device complexity and potential failure points while maintaining high heat transfer efficiency through continuous passive fluid circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical pumping and valving systems with capillary-driven passive fluid transport. The wick structure uses surface tension forces to move coolant, replacing complex mechanical auxiliary systems with a simple, reliable passive mechanism that maintains effective heat transfer while minimizing device complexity.
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 configuration enables improved heat management and reduced reactor size by streamlining thermal management, enhancing performance and reliability while eliminating the need for auxiliary cooling systems, thus addressing the inefficiencies of traditional heat pipes in compact reactors.
Implementation Method 1
the wick includes a capillary material, wherein the wick is configured to contact at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner housing, wherein the wick is configured to contact at least a portion of the inner surface of the outer housing, and wherein the wick defines an intermediate volume between the inner housing and the outer housing
Implementation Method 2
the working fluid is within the intermediate volume, wherein the working fluid is configured to evaporate at a first end of the heat pipe
Implementation Method 3
wherein the working fluid is further configured to condense at a second end of the heat pipe adjacent to a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
The heat pipe further includes a wick positioned between the inner housing and the outer housing and extending along at least a portion of the length of the heat pipe, wherein the wick includes a capillary material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A heat pipe configured to remove heat from a nuclear reactor core is disclosed herein. The heat pipe can include an Inner housing defining an inner volume configured to accommodate a heat source and an outer housing configured about the inner housing and the heat source. A wick can be positioned between at least a portion of the inner housing and at least a portion of the outer housing, wherein the wick can include a capillary material, and wherein the wick can define an intermediate volume between the inner housing and the outer housing. A working fluid can be positioned within the intermediate volume, wherein the working fluid can evaporate at a first end of the heat pipe and condense at a second end of the heat pipe adjacent to a heat exchanger, and wherein the wick can return condensed working fluid to the first end of the heat pipe.