Low Temperature Thermal Energy Converter for Spent Nuclear Fuel
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Solution Overview
Problem
The nuclear industry faces a significant challenge in storing spent nuclear fuel rods, which are costly to store and pose environmental and health threats despite still emitting energy, as existing technologies fail to effectively harness their low thermal energy for power generation.
Innovation Solution
A Low Temperature Thermal Energy Converter (LTTEC) system is designed to utilize the thermal energy from spent nuclear fuel rods by incorporating a thermally conductive coiled tube and environmentally friendly HFC/HFE chemicals, eliminating the need for a separate cold thermal supply, thereby reducing system complexity and size, and safely converting radioactive waste into electric power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate cold thermal supply is used for condensation in Rankine Cycle systems, then reliable phase change operation is achieved, but system complexity and footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cold thermal supply function with the working liquid reservoir by utilizing the naturally colder working liquid from the bottom of the reservoir as the condensation medium. This eliminates the need for a separate cold thermal supply system, reducing system complexity while maintaining reliable phase change operation through the integrated design where the working liquid serves dual purposes: as the cycle working fluid and as the condensation cooling medium.
2Reliability
If spent nuclear fuel rods are stored in traditional facilities, then safety and security are maintained, but high storage costs and environmental threats persist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously wasted thermal energy from spent nuclear fuel rods into a beneficial resource for electricity generation. By implementing a Rankine Cycle system that captures and utilizes the low-temperature thermal energy emitted by the fuel rods, the system transforms what was considered waste heat into useful electrical power, thereby eliminating energy loss while maintaining safe storage conditions through controlled thermal extraction.
3Loss of energy
If low temperature thermal energy is harnessed from spent fuel rods, then energy recovery and cost reduction are achieved, but system design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the naturally occurring temperature gradient within the working liquid reservoir, where cooler liquid accumulates at the bottom, to provide the condensation function. This self-service approach eliminates the need for external cooling systems or complex thermal management infrastructure, allowing the system to harness low-temperature thermal energy while keeping the design relatively simple through exploitation of natural thermal convection and density stratification phenomena.
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 LTTEC system efficiently converts low thermal energy from spent nuclear fuel rods into electricity, reducing storage costs, enhancing safety, and allowing for smaller facility footprints, while eliminating the need for hazardous chemicals and separate cold thermal supplies, thus providing a safer and more efficient solution for nuclear waste management.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger, in fluid communication with the liquid chamber, configured to transfer heat from fluid coming from a heat source to working fluid coming from the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 2
where the transferred heat vaporizes at least a portion of the working fluid to provide a working pressure of the vaporized working fluid
Implementation Method 3
a pressure motor, in fluid communication with the heat exchanger, configured to convert the working pressure of the vaporized working fluid into mechanical motion for a power generator
Implementation Method 4
a second heat exchanger configured to use working fluid from a bottom portion of a pool of working liquid in the liquid chamber to condense the captured vaporized working fluid
Implementation Method 5
The working fluid becomes colder when maintained at a determined depth in the pool of working fluid in the liquid chamber
Implementation Method 6
a thermally conductive coiled tube or other similar device, where the LTTEC is designed such that working fluid fills the coil/device from the lowest point of a working liquid chamber of the LTTEC. In so doing, a thermal reaction takes place, which draws and condenses the water from the surrounding air onto the outer surfaces of the coil
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, a vapor powered apparatus for generating electric power includes a liquid chamber that contains a working fluid and a first heat exchanger that transfers heat from fluid coming from a heat source to working fluid coming from the liquid chamber, where the transferred heat vaporizes at least a portion of the working fluid to provide a working pressure of the vaporized working fluid. The apparatus includes a pressure motor to convert the working pressure of the vaporized working fluid into mechanical motion for a power generator. The apparatus includes a vapor chamber to capture the vaporized working fluid and a second heat exchanger to use working fluid from the liquid chamber to condense the captured vaporized working fluid. An exchanger fluid system provides the working fluid to the second heat exchanger from a bottom portion of a pool of working liquid in the liquid chamber.