Integrated Monopile Power Generator Refueling With Crane Access
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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, with the reactor contained within the inner sleeve, allowing for scalable, cost-effective, and safer power generation, utilizing the ocean as a protective barrier and enabling modular construction and easy disconnection of balance of plant systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional nuclear power plants are constructed, then carbon-neutral power generation is achieved, but high upfront costs and long construction times increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nuclear power plant into modular units, each containing its own reactor core and balance of plant systems. These modular units can be manufactured independently and assembled on-site, significantly reducing construction time while maintaining carbon-neutral power generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular nuclear power plant units are pre-manufactured and pre-assembled before delivery to the installation site. This preliminary action allows for quality control and optimization in controlled manufacturing environments, reducing on-site construction time and ensuring reliable carbon-neutral power generation.
2Reliability
If conventional nuclear power plants are built, then reliable power generation is achieved, but radioactive waste disposal becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the spent fuel storage function from the main power generation system. Each modular unit includes dedicated spent fuel storage containers that can be independently managed and disposed of, isolating the harmful waste disposal issue from the reliable power generation operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate spent fuel storage containers as a mediator between the reactor core and final waste disposal. These containers provide temporary storage and isolation for radioactive waste, enabling reliable power generation while managing the harmful waste disposal challenge through controlled intermediate storage.
3Ease of manufacture
If modular nuclear reactors are used, then construction costs are reduced, but safety against natural disasters becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs nested containment structures where modular reactor units are housed within protective monopile foundations. The reactor core is nested within containment vessels, which are nested within the monopile structure, providing progressive protection against natural disasters while maintaining cost-effective modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The monopile foundations provide beforehand cushioning and protection for the modular nuclear reactors against natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes. This protective structure is installed prior to reactor placement, cushioning against environmental hazards while enabling cost-effective modular construction.
4Reliability
If offshore monopile structures are used, then safety is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The monopile structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the reactor, acts as a protective barrier against natural disasters, provides a containment boundary, and serves as a foundation for the balance of plant systems. This multi-functionality enhances safety while managing device complexity by consolidating multiple protective roles into a single structure.
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 approach provides reliable, affordable, and environmentally friendly power generation with reduced construction costs and enhanced safety against accidents and natural disasters, while minimizing environmental contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
a nuclear reactor disposed within an interior volume of the at least one monopile structure
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments relate to refueling a power generator installed in an integrated monopile system. A bottom end of the integrated monopile system is installed in an earthen substrate. The integrated monopile system includes a cavity containing the power generator. Refueling steps may include: installing a refueling platform over a top end of the integrated monopile system, the refueling platform comprising a crane system configurable over the cavity of the integrated monopile system; exposing the cavity of the integrated monopile system to the crane system of the refueling platform by opening a lid on or in the top end of the integrated monopile system; lowering, by the crane system, a new fuel assembly into the cavity of the integrated monopile system; separating, via the crane system, the power generator from a fuel storage container; and removing spent fuel from slots of the fuel storage container.