Integrated Monopile Inner Sleeve for Modular Reactor Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power generation technologies face challenges such as high upfront costs, environmental impact, intermittency, and safety concerns, making nuclear power less viable despite its carbon-neutral potential.
Innovation Solution
The use of modular nuclear reactors housed in offshore monopile structures, which include a cylindrical outer monopile and inner sleeve, allowing for scalable, cost-effective, and safer power generation by isolating nuclear components from the environment and enabling rapid disconnection of balance of plant systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional nuclear power plants are used, then carbon-neutral power generation is achieved, but high upfront costs and long construction times increase economic viability challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nuclear power plant into modular units, each consisting of a reactor vessel, containment structure, and associated systems. These modules can be manufactured separately and then assembled on-site, reducing the complexity of constructing a single large integrated plant while maintaining carbon-neutral operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested structure where the reactor vessel is placed within a containment structure, which is then integrated into the monopile foundation system. This nesting approach allows compact arrangement of components, reducing overall construction footprint and simplifying installation procedures.
2Reliability
If conventional nuclear plants are constructed, then reliable power generation is achieved, but radioactive waste disposal and safety concerns reduce public acceptance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the waste management function from the power generation function by providing dedicated spent fuel storage pools and dry storage facilities as separate components. This separation allows the reactor to operate reliably while confining radioactive waste in isolated storage areas, reducing public concern about waste disposal and environmental contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate storage solutions including spent fuel pools and dry storage facilities that act as mediators between the reactor and final waste disposal. These intermediate structures provide temporary containment for radioactive waste, allowing for safe storage and eventual disposal while maintaining operational reliability of the power generation system.
3Ease of manufacture
If offshore monopile structures are used, then construction costs are reduced and scalability is improved, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monopile structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the foundational support for the nuclear plant, acts as a containment structure, and functions as a protective barrier against environmental factors. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate structural components, simplifying the overall design while maintaining construction cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the foundation structure with the containment structure by integrating the monopile into both functions. The monopile serves as both the structural support and the protective enclosure for the reactor, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying construction procedures while maintaining structural integrity.
4Loss of time
If modular reactors are deployed, then construction time is reduced and cost-effectiveness is improved, but system integration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-assembling modular reactor units with all necessary components (reactor vessel, containment structure, safety systems) before transport to the final site. This allows for quality control and system testing in a controlled manufacturing environment, reducing on-site construction time while managing integration complexity through standardized interfaces and pre-planned assembly sequences.
Data Source
AI summary
An inner sleeve for an integrated monopile system may be contained within an outer monopile that is installed in an earthen substrate. The inner sleeve includes at least one side wall, an open top end, a closed bottom end, and a cavity formed within the side wall, the open top end, and the closed bottom end. The cavity configured to house a power generator positioned inside the inner sleeve on or adjacent to the closed end, where the power generator being accessible through the open top end.