Endothermic Material Tubes for Nuclear Containment Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
The maintenance and operational costs associated with ice condenser systems in nuclear reactors are high due to the need for extensive equipment and cooling requirements, and the intermediate deck doors in these systems are a source of maintenance challenges and added costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of sealed or vented elongate tubes filled with endothermic materials like ammonium carbamate, which replace the ice in the containment structure, allowing for energy absorption during accidents and simplifying the containment structure by eliminating the need for refrigeration and intermediate deck doors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ice condenser systems are used to absorb energy during accidents, then energy absorption capacity is improved, but maintenance costs and operational costs increase due to extensive equipment and cooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and material composition of the energy absorption medium from ice (frozen water requiring continuous cooling) to endothermic materials (solid chemicals that absorb heat through decomposition reactions). This parameter change eliminates the need for refrigeration systems and reduces maintenance costs while maintaining energy absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the refrigeration system and intermediate deck doors from the containment structure by replacing ice with endothermic materials. This removal of unnecessary components directly reduces device complexity, maintenance requirements, and operational costs while preserving the primary function of energy absorption.
2Reliability
If ice is used in the containment structure, then energy absorption during accidents is achieved, but the need for refrigeration systems and intermediate deck doors increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the refrigeration system and intermediate deck doors from the containment structure by replacing ice with endothermic materials stored in sealed tubes. This extraction eliminates the complexity associated with continuous cooling requirements and door mechanisms while maintaining energy absorption capability through chemical decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sealed tubes containing endothermic materials that can be easily replaced if needed, eliminating the need for complex refrigeration infrastructure. The sealed tubes act as discrete, replaceable units that simplify the overall system architecture and reduce long-term operational complexity.
3Ease of operation
If intermediate deck doors are installed in ice condenser systems, then steam routing is controlled, but maintenance challenges and added costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates intermediate deck doors from the system by using endothermic materials in sealed tubes that can be positioned to provide thermal barriers without requiring movable door mechanisms. This extraction removes the maintenance burden associated with door operation while preserving steam routing control through the thermal properties of the endothermic materials.
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 solution reduces maintenance costs, eliminates the need for refrigeration systems, and enhances the safety margin by increasing energy absorption capacity, potentially by 300-400% compared to traditional ice condensers, while maintaining structural integrity and safety during accidents.
Implementation Method 1
the endothermic material is configured to undergo an endothermic reaction in the elongate tubes
Implementation Method 2
an endothermic material, such as ammonium carbamate, housed in and occupying a majority of each tube
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorber apparatus is described that includes a plurality of assemblies, each of which contains a plurality of preferably cylindrical tubes, with each tube containing an endothermic material, such as ammonium carbamate. The assemblies are supported in a plurality of elongate baskets positioned in vaults that may surround the periphery of a nuclear reactor containment structure. The energy absorber apparatus absorbs excess energy released in the event of a design basis accident.