Ellipsoidal Deflector Shield for Reactor Coolant Circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuclear reactors face inefficiencies in coolant circulation due to suboptimal design features, leading to the need for increased coolant volume or redundant components to ensure sufficient performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a reactor vessel with a deflector shield featuring an ellipsoidal or flow-optimized surface that directs coolant flow towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel, enhancing circulation and reducing flow resistance, combined with a baffle assembly that controls coolant flow and pressure variations to promote natural circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional reactor vessel design is used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but coolant circulation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a deflector shield with an ellipsoidal surface geometry to redirect coolant flow. The curved ellipsoidal surface is specifically designed to optimize coolant circulation patterns, directing flow more effectively toward the bottom of the reactor vessel and reducing turning losses compared to conventional flat or cylindrical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflector shield acts as an intermediary component introduced between the riser and the reactor vessel bottom. This intermediate structure mediates the coolant flow transition, improving circulation efficiency without requiring fundamental redesign of the entire reactor vessel system.
2Productivity
If increased coolant volume is used to compensate for design inefficiencies, then sufficient cooling performance is achieved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the coolant flow path by introducing the ellipsoidal deflector shield. This modifies flow velocity distributions, pressure gradients, and circulation patterns to optimize heat transfer efficiency, thereby achieving sufficient cooling performance with standard coolant volumes.
3Reliability
If redundant components are added to ensure sufficient coolant circulation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector shield is designed to utilize natural circulation forces and gravity-driven flow to optimize coolant circulation. The ellipsoidal geometry leverages the existing thermal and gravitational fields within the reactor system to enhance flow patterns without requiring additional active components or external energy input.
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 significantly improves coolant flow rates and circulation efficiency, reducing turning losses by up to four or five times compared to systems without a deflector shield, while maintaining containment and safety during normal and emergency operations.
Implementation Method 1
a coolant deflector shield including an ellipsoidal or other flow-optimized surface, wherein the flow-optimized surface directs the coolant towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel
Implementation Method 2
a baffle assembly that controls coolant flow and pressure variations to promote natural circulation
Implementation Method 3
When the water 10 is heated by the reactor core 6 as a result of fission events
Implementation Method 4
the efficiency of the circulation depends on the thermal properties of the reactor module 5
Implementation Method 5
the coolant is heated by the fuel and rises through the flow channels of the moderator and through the central riser
Implementation Method 6
a reactor core 6 surrounded by a reactor vessel 2. Water 10 in the reactor vessel 2 surrounds the reactor core 6. When the water 10 is heated by the reactor core 6 as a result of fission events
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A power module includes a reactor vessel containing a coolant and a reactor core located near a bottom end of the reactor vessel. A riser section is located above the reactor core, wherein the coolant circulates past the reactor core and up through the riser section. In one embodiment, a coolant deflector shield includes flow-optimized surfaces, wherein the flow-optimized surfaces direct the coolant towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel. In another embodiment, the reactor housing includes an inward facing portion that varies a flow pressure of the coolant and promotes a circulation of the coolant past a baffle assembly and towards the bottom end of the reactor vessel.