Inert Salt Cooling Module for Molten Salt Reactor Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current residual heat removal systems for molten salt nuclear reactors require excessive space and are costly, failing to provide efficient safety in high-temperature, high-radioactivity environments.
Innovation Solution
A nuclear reactor cooling module that includes a fluid line for inert gas movement, an inert salt liquid layer surrounding the reactor, and an inert salt solid layer, which phase-changes into a liquid to cool the reactor and block molten salt discharge, eliminating the need for separate cooling apparatuses and minimizing radioactive material release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a residual heat removal system is developed for high-temperature operating environment, then safety of the nuclear reactor is improved, but installation space required increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function and safety function into a single integrated system. The inert salt-based cooling system serves both as the operational coolant and as the safety mechanism for residual heat removal, eliminating the need for separate safety apparatuses and reducing overall installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change parameters of inert salt (solid-liquid transition) to achieve safety functions. By changing the physical state of the inert salt based on temperature conditions, the system automatically provides cooling or blocks discharge paths without requiring additional active safety systems, thereby reducing space requirements.
2Reliability
If separate cooling apparatuses are used for safety, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inert salt-based system provides self-service cooling functionality. The phase-change properties of the inert salt automatically enable cooling or discharge path blocking based on temperature conditions, without requiring external control systems or additional active safety apparatuses, thus reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inert salt serves multiple functions: it acts as the operational coolant during normal operation and as the safety mechanism for residual heat removal during accidents. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate cooling apparatuses, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining cooling efficiency.
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 solution enables efficient cooling and safety in molten salt nuclear reactors, reducing space and cost requirements while minimizing radioactive material emission during accidents.
Implementation Method 1
an inert salt solid layer surrounding the inert salt liquid layer and surrounded by the fluid line, wherein the inert salt solid may be phase-changed into the inert salt liquid through heat of the molten salt discharged to the discharge path provided by the fluid line surrounding the inert salt solid layer, thereby cooling the nuclear reactor
Implementation Method 2
the inert salt solid may be phase-changed into the inert salt liquid through heat of the molten salt discharged to the discharge path provided by the fluid line surrounding the inert salt solid layer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a nuclear reactor cooling module including: a fluid line for providing a movement path for inert gas into a reactor; an inert salt liquid layer surrounding the reactor; and an inert salt solid layer surrounding the inert salt liquid layer and surrounded by the fluid line.