Modular Cooling Element for Nuclear Fuel Storage Pools
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nuclear facility cooling systems face challenges in space efficiency and safety, particularly with the need for redundant and modular cooling solutions that can be integrated into existing fuel element racks without significant modifications, especially in scenarios where installation space is limited and earthquake safety is a concern.
Innovation Solution
The cooling element is designed to be modular and adaptable, fitting within the dimensions of existing fuel element racks, allowing for insertion or attachment in free positions, and can be configured for either single-phase or two-phase cooling circuits, utilizing tubular channels and plates to optimize heat transfer while ensuring safety and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If suspension coolers are used to cool fuel element pools with intermediate cooling circuits, then pool leakage risk is eliminated and pool water remains in the pool, but a significant amount of installation space is required in the storage pool
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling element is nested within the fuel element rack structure itself, utilizing the existing rack framework to house cooling components. This allows the cooling system to be integrated into the storage pool without requiring additional installation space, while maintaining the reliability benefits of suspension cooling with intermediate circuits
2Reliability
If redundant and diversitary pool cooling systems are installed as post Fukushima measures, then cooling reliability is improved, but the necessary installation space in existing pools is too small
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into modular cooling elements that can be independently installed and configured within the fuel element rack. This segmentation allows multiple redundant cooling units to be accommodated within the existing pool space by distributing them across different rack positions, achieving both reliability through redundancy and space efficiency through modular deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel element rack is designed to serve multiple functions: storing fuel elements and housing cooling elements. This multi-functionality allows the same structural space to fulfill both fuel storage and cooling requirements, enabling installation of redundant cooling systems without requiring additional dedicated space
3Strength
If suspension coolers are attached to existing pool structures by welding or drilling, then secure attachment is achieved, but earthquake safety concerns arise and pool structures cannot be modified
Solution Approach 1:
The fuel element rack is pre-designed with integrated mounting features and attachment points that accommodate cooling elements without requiring post-installation welding or drilling. This preliminary preparation ensures that cooling elements can be securely attached through non-invasive means, maintaining earthquake safety while achieving secure attachment
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 solution enables simple, robust, and variable cooling of fuel element storage pools, allowing for easy modification or supplementation of cooling systems, providing redundant and diverse cooling options, and effectively managing thermal loads, even in fully loaded cores.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling element, which includes a heat exchanger, is constructed for connection to a cooling circuit in a system for cooling the cooling liquid in the fuel element pool
Implementation Method 2
the water is removed from the pool by using a pump, cooled in an external cooling unit and then fed back into the pool
Data Source
AI summary
A nuclear facility includes a fuel element pool which is filled with a cooling liquid. A fuel element rack, which is disposed in the fuel element pool, includes compartments for receiving fuel elements. The fuel elements received in the compartments are in direct contact with the cooling liquid in the fuel element pool. At least one cooling element is disposed in one of the compartments instead of a fuel element. The cooling element acts as a heat exchanger through which a coolant can flow, the cooling element is connected into a cooling circuit and the cooling element is immersed in the cooling liquid.