Mobile Heat Pipe Cooled Fast Reactor for Remote Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nuclear reactors are large and require circulating coolant fluids, making them unsuitable for remote or mobile applications, and diesel or gas-powered generators require significant fuel transportation resources and costs.
Innovation Solution
A mobile heat pipe cooled fast reactor system using alkali metal heat pipes that are nearly solid state, modular, and configured to be transported in standard shipping containers, with a design that includes a plurality of heat pipes and fuel pins to transfer heat away from the reactor core, and a skid for transportation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional nuclear reactors are used, then reliable power generation is achieved, but the system becomes large and requires circulating coolant fluids making it unsuitable for remote or mobile applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the coolant circulation system from conventional nuclear reactors, replacing it with a solid-state heat pipe system. This removes the complex fluid circulation infrastructure while maintaining heat transfer functionality, thereby enabling mobile and remote applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical coolant circulation system (pumps, pipes, valves) with a passive heat pipe system that uses phase change and capillary action. This substitution eliminates moving parts and complex mechanical infrastructure, reducing system complexity and enabling mobility.
2Power
If diesel or gas-powered generator systems are used, then power generation is achieved, but significant fuel transportation resources and costs are required
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear reactor system is self-sufficient and does not require external fuel delivery. The nuclear fuel is contained within the reactor core and provides power without needing transportation of liquid or gaseous fuel supplies, eliminating the logistical burden of fuel delivery chains.
3Reliability
If heat pipe cooled reactor systems are used, then the system becomes simpler, smaller, and more reliable with minimal fluid, but requires specialized heat pipe technology
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coolant circulation systems with passive heat pipe technology that uses phase change and capillary action. This substitution reduces reliability concerns by eliminating pumps and valves while the specialized heat pipe technology, though different from conventional systems, provides a self-contained solution.
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 system provides reliable and safe power generation with minimal fluid, reduced maintenance, and enhanced safety features, allowing deployment to remote locations without the need for fuel transportation, and can be rapidly deployed to provide 0.5 to 2 megawatts of power.
Implementation Method 1
heat pipes including coolant configured to transfer heat away from the reactor core
Implementation Method 2
Heat pipes using alkali metal heat pipes
Implementation Method 3
nearly solid state and have only a small amount of fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile heat pipe cooled fast nuclear reactor may be configured for transportation to remote locations and may be able to provide 0.5 to 2 megawatts of power. The mobile heat pipe cooled fast reactor may contain a plurality of heat pipes that are proximate to a plurality of fuel pins inside the reactor. The plurality of heat pipes may extend out of the reactor. The reactor may be configured to be placed in a standard shipping container, and may further be configured to be contained within a cask and attached to a skid for easier transportation.