Electromagnetic Pump Cooling Channels for Insulation Heat Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electromagnetic pumps in nuclear reactors face material degradation due to excess temperature, particularly affecting insulating materials covering electrical components, which are not in thermal communication with the coolant on all dimensions, necessitating lower operating voltages and frequent inspection and maintenance.

Innovation Solution

The electromagnetic pumps utilize multiple coolant channels positioned on opposite sides of electrical components to facilitate multi-directional heat transfer, reducing insulation temperatures and minimizing temperature gradients, thereby extending component life and reducing maintenance needs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electrical components are insulated from the coolant, then electrical isolation is achieved, but heat accumulation occurs causing material degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical isolationVSAvoidinsulation temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is divided into multiple independent coolant channels (first coolant channel, second coolant channel, third coolant channel) that are distributed around the electrical components. This segmentation allows heat to be dissipated from multiple directions simultaneously, preventing localized overheating while maintaining electrical isolation through the insulating material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cooling approach transitions from single-direction cooling to multi-directional cooling by positioning coolant channels at different locations (first channel at first location, second channel at second location, third channel at third location) surrounding the electrical components. This spatial distribution creates thermal pathways in multiple dimensions, effectively reducing temperature gradients and hot spots.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If single coolant channel is used, then device complexity is low, but hot spots and extreme temperature gradients occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoolant channel configurationVSAvoidtemperature uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Different coolant channels are positioned at specific locations around the electrical components based on local heat generation patterns. The first coolant channel is at a first location, the second coolant channel is at a second location, and the third coolant channel is at a third location, allowing targeted cooling where heat accumulation is most severe while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Power

If electrical components operate at high voltage, then pump performance is improved, but material degradation accelerates due to excess temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump powerVSAvoidcomponent lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The coolant channels act as intermediary thermal pathways between the electrical components and the surrounding environment. By introducing these intermediate cooling structures, high-power electrical components can operate at elevated voltages for improved pump performance while the coolant channels continuously remove heat, preventing the temperature-driven material degradation that would otherwise limit component lifespan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 multi-channel design effectively reduces insulation temperatures by over 20°C, enhancing component durability and operational reliability in high-temperature nuclear reactor environments.

Implementation Method 1

The pumps may induce magnetic fields throughout their coolant channels to drive the coolant in the plant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

electromagnetic pumps that circulate coolant, potentially while being immersed in the coolant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetohydrodynamic effect: Magnetohydrodynamic Effect

Implementation Method 3

this heat may be sunk to these multiple channels selectively positioned at different, potentially opposite, sides or surrounding the electrical components. While the electrical components may be electrically insulated from each other, the coolant, and even the remainder of the pump, they may thus be in thermal communication with the coolant in multiple directions through these multiple channels

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS20250243852A1Electromagnetic pumps and methods of operating the same with improved cooling

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 GE HITACHI NUCLEAR ENERGY AMERICAS LLC

AI summary

Electromagnetic pumps pump coolant through plural paths in the pump with magnetic fields. The paths are next to components that overheat, so as to pull heat from the same into the coolant fluid being pumped. The paths may run at different or opposite dimensions of the components, to provide unique heat sinking paths and reduce temperature gradients and excursions in the components. Paths may be nested annuli, loops, or entirely distinct vertical passages around the components. Electromagnetic pumps may be used in nuclear power plants to drive magnetic fluids. The pumps may operate immersed in melted metals at several hundred degrees Celsius in an operating reactor without overheating or degradation of their electrical and insulating components.