Compact Nuclear Reactor Power System With Brake And Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuclear energy production devices are large and inefficient, making them unsuitable for remote and rural areas. They also lack the ability to quickly turn on or off based on demand, which reduces efficiency and makes them less adaptable for smaller installations.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear power system that includes a nuclear reactor, a heat engine, a generator, and a brake system. The system generates heat in the reactor, converts it to mechanical energy using the heat engine, and then produces electricity using the generator. The brake system allows the system to stop or slow down when there is no electrical load, and a heat transfer system manages heat transfer based on temperature thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional nuclear energy production devices are used, then heat generation capability is achieved, but device size becomes large and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear energy system is divided into modular components: a compact nuclear reactor core, a heat engine, a generator, and a brake system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a smaller overall system that maintains high energy production efficiency while reducing total device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functions are combined into integrated components. The brake system serves both as a mechanical brake and a generator brake, the heat transfer system manages both heat removal and heat transfer to the heat engine, and the outer wall structure provides both mechanical containment and heat transfer pathways. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, decreasing overall system size.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nuclear energy production devices are used, then continuous operation is maintained, but adaptability to demand changes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic control mechanisms including a brake system that can quickly adjust or stop the heat engine based on electrical load conditions, and a heat transfer system with variable thermal conductivity that adjusts heat transfer rates based on temperature thresholds. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond rapidly to changing demand while maintaining operational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback control through the brake system monitoring electrical load conditions and the heat transfer system monitoring temperature thresholds. When electrical load is low, the brake system engages to stop the heat engine; when temperature exceeds thresholds, the heat transfer system activates. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive operation that maintains efficiency while responding to demand changes.
3Loss of energy
If the brake system stops the heat engine during no-load conditions, then energy efficiency is improved, but heat accumulation in the reactor may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer system acts as an intermediary between the reactor core and the external environment. When the brake system stops the heat engine during no-load conditions, the heat transfer system activates to remove excess heat from the reactor core, transferring it to the surrounding environment through the outer wall. This intermediary heat transfer mechanism allows the brake system to improve energy efficiency without causing dangerous heat accumulation in the reactor.
4Temperature
If the heat transfer system transfers heat to the environment, then reactor temperature is controlled, but heat transfer capability must be activated
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer system utilizes parameter changes in thermal conductivity based on temperature thresholds. The outer wall structure is designed with variable thermal properties that automatically activate heat transfer pathways when the reactor temperature exceeds predetermined thresholds. This parameter-based control mechanism simplifies the overall system complexity by using inherent material properties rather than requiring complex active control systems, while still achieving effective temperature control.
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
The system reduces the size and increases the efficiency of nuclear energy production, making it suitable for smaller installations and remote areas. It also allows for instantaneous startup and shutdown based on demand, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Nuclear reactors contain and control nuclear chain reactions that produce heat through a physical process named fission
Implementation Method 2
transmitting the heat to a heat engine
Implementation Method 3
The heat may be removed from the reactor by a circulating fluid
Implementation Method 4
the heat engine configured to convert the heat from the nuclear reactor to mechanical energy
Implementation Method 5
the generator configured to generate electricity from the mechanical energy of the heat engine
Implementation Method 6
the brake configured to restrict movement of the at least one of the heat engine and the generator when there is no electrical load on the generator
Implementation Method 7
The outer wall is configured to move relative to the inner wall and change a relationship between the inner wall and the outer wall
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a nuclear power system includes generating heat in a nuclear reactor core, transmitting the heat to a heat engine, generating electricity with a generator operatively coupled to the heat engine. The method further includes detecting a no-load condition, and stopping the heat engine. The method also includes transferring heat from an outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through a heat transfer system if a temperature of the nuclear reactor rises above a threshold temperature. The method further includes preventing heat from transferring from the outer surface of the nuclear reactor to the environment through the heat transfer system if the temperature of the nuclear reactor is below the threshold temperature. Nuclear power systems and nuclear reactors are also disclosed.