Double-Shroud Reactor Cooling by Temperature-Triggered Vacuum Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nuclear reactor units face challenges in effectively cooling the reactor core during abnormal conditions, leading to unnecessary stress and potential safety issues due to inadequate cooling mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear reactor unit with a double-shroud structure, where the space between the inner and outer shrouds is maintained in a vacuum condition, and a communicating part breaks the vacuum when the reactor core reaches a threshold temperature, allowing gas to flow and enhance heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a heat insulating structure is provided around the nuclear reactor vessel, then heat loss is reduced and thermal efficiency is improved, but cooling capability during abnormal conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum insulating structure dynamically changes from a sealed vacuum state during normal operation to a communicated state during abnormal conditions. The communicating part acts as a dynamic element that opens the vacuum barrier when temperature exceeds the threshold, allowing coolant to reach the reactor core for emergency cooling while maintaining thermal insulation during normal operation.
2Loss of energy
If the vacuum structure remains sealed, then thermal insulation performance is maximized, but heat dissipation during abnormalities is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of the vacuum space from sealed to communicated based on temperature threshold. When the reactor core temperature exceeds the predetermined threshold, the communicating part opens, changing the vacuum space from a sealed insulating barrier to a communicated pathway, thereby adjusting the thermal insulation parameter dynamically to prioritize heat dissipation during abnormalities.
3Reliability
If additional cooling mechanisms are added to ensure adequate cooling, then cooling reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum insulating structure with communicating part provides self-service cooling functionality. The system automatically responds to temperature abnormalities by opening the communicating part when the threshold is exceeded, enabling the reactor core to access coolant without requiring external control systems or additional active cooling mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring cooling reliability.
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 effectively reduces temperature increases during abnormalities by promoting efficient heat radiation without additional operational inputs, enhancing safety and performance.
Implementation Method 1
A first space formed by the outer shroud and the inner shroud is in a vacuum condition
Implementation Method 2
causing the communicating part to break the vacuum condition of the first space by communicating the first space to a second space that is a space inside the inner shroud, when the reactor core reaches a threshold temperature or higher
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nuclear reactor unit that can reduce a temperature increase in a reactor core at the occurrence of an abnormality with a simple structure. Included are a reactor core having radioactive fuel and causing the radioactive fuel to cause a nuclear reaction and a nuclear reactor vessel housing the reactor core and hermetically sealing the reactor core. The nuclear reactor vessel includes an inner shroud covering the entire periphery of the reactor core and an outer shroud covering the entire periphery of the inner shroud. A first space formed by the outer shroud and the inner shroud is in a vacuum condition. The inner shroud includes a main body and a communicating part placed in part of the main body and communicating the first space to a second space, which is a space inside the inner shroud, when the reactor core reaches a threshold temperature or higher.