Floating Nuclear Reactor Self-Cooling Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuclear power reactors face the risk of meltdown due to disruptions in electrical power sources, such as tsunamis or earthquakes, which can prevent cooling water pumps from functioning, and pipe failures from natural causes or attacks, leading to potential meltdowns.
Innovation Solution
A floating nuclear power reactor design featuring a self-cooling containment structure with spring-loaded hatches that open to allow water from the surrounding body of water to flood the reactor compartment and vessel when temperature or pressure reaches a predetermined level, eliminating the need for electrical power to operate the cooling mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If electrical power pumps are used to supply cooling water to the reactor, then cooling efficiency is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to vulnerability to power disruptions from natural disasters
Solution Approach 1:
The containment structure is designed to automatically flood with cooling water from the surrounding body of water when temperature or pressure conditions are met, eliminating the need for external electrical power pumps. The structure serves its own cooling needs through passive mechanisms including spring-loaded hatches that open automatically and natural convection currents that drive water flow through the reactor core without requiring external power sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical power-driven mechanical pump system with a passive mechanical system utilizing spring-loaded hatches and natural convection. The springs provide the mechanical force to open hatches without electricity, and natural convection currents replace the need for powered water circulation, substituting active mechanical systems with passive physical phenomena.
2Temperature
If electrical power pumps and complex piping systems are used for cooling, then cooling capability is improved, but vulnerability to pipe failures from natural causes or attacks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vulnerable piping system from the cooling mechanism. By removing the complex network of pipes that connect external water sources to the reactor, the design eliminates the attack surface and failure points associated with piping. The cooling water enters directly through hatches in the containment structure itself, bypassing the need for intermediate pipe connections that could be damaged or severed.
Solution Approach 2:
The containment structure directly interfaces with the surrounding body of water through hatches, allowing the structure to obtain cooling water directly from its environment without requiring external pipe connections. This self-service approach eliminates the intermediary piping infrastructure that is vulnerable to failures from natural causes or deliberate attacks.
3Reliability
If spring-loaded hatches and passive flooding mechanisms are used for cooling, then reliability is improved by eliminating electrical dependencies, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in physical parameters (temperature and pressure) within the containment structure to trigger the cooling mechanism. When temperature or pressure reaches predetermined thresholds, these parameter changes automatically activate the spring-loaded hatches and initiate water flooding, providing a simple yet reliable control mechanism that responds directly to the reactor's thermal state without requiring complex control systems.
4Use of energy by moving object
If passive water flooding mechanism is used instead of active pumping, then energy independence is improved, but cooling control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The passive flooding mechanism incorporates inherent feedback through temperature and pressure-sensitive triggers. When the reactor temperature or pressure reaches critical thresholds, these conditions automatically activate the spring-loaded hatches to admit cooling water. The flooding process itself provides feedback as water inundates the containment structure, naturally regulating temperature and preventing overheating without requiring external control systems.
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
Ensures continuous cooling of the reactor without relying on electrical power, preventing meltdowns by utilizing natural water flooding mechanisms triggered by temperature or pressure conditions, thus enhancing safety and operational resilience.
Implementation Method 1
A spring-loaded first hatch is movably mounted on the exterior of the side wall of the vessel at the outer end of the first water passageway
Implementation Method 2
The first hatch, when in its open position, permits water from the body of water to flow inwardly through the first water passageway into the interior compartment of the containment structure to cool the reactor vessel
Data Source
AI summary
A floating nuclear power reactor including one or two nuclear power reactors positioned in a floating vessel such as a barge or the like. Means is disclosed for flooding the containment structure of the nuclear reactor and for flooding the reactor vessels to cool the same.