Modular Nuclear Battery System for Scalable Power Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of nuclear energy implementation, along with licensing issues, hinder its growth in the electricity market, despite its environmental sustainability advantages, and existing small modular reactors lack the necessary safety features and modularity to effectively compete with renewable energy sources in microgeneration markets.
Innovation Solution
A modular nuclear battery system comprising multiple nuclear cells with integrated shielding and containment layers, allowing for factory manufacturing and easy assembly, providing flexible power generation from 32 kW to 1.92 MW electrical and 80 kW to 4.8 MW thermal power, with redundant systems and GPS tracking for enhanced safety and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If traditional large nuclear plants are built, then power generation capacity is improved, but implementation cost and construction complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear power plant is divided into multiple identical modular units (nuclear batteries), each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve large power generation capacity through parallel operation of multiple small units rather than a single large unit, thereby reducing construction complexity and implementation cost while maintaining high power output.
2Loss of time
If modular assembly is adopted in large nuclear plants, then construction time is reduced, but investor risk and cost increases remain significant
Solution Approach 1:
All nuclear battery modules are completely manufactured, tested, and certified in factory production lines before being transported to the construction site. This preliminary action ensures that all modules meet safety and performance standards before assembly, eliminating construction-related delays and reducing investor risk while maintaining rapid deployment capability.
3Reliability
If nuclear microgeneration systems are deployed, then continuous power generation and grid stability are improved, but safety concerns and public acceptance remain challenges
Solution Approach 1:
Each nuclear battery module incorporates multiple layers of containment and safety systems designed to prevent accidents and minimize risks before they can affect the environment or public. The modular design isolates radioactive materials within small, contained units with redundant safety barriers, thereby addressing safety concerns while maintaining continuous power generation capability.
4Ease of manufacture
If complete factory manufacturing is implemented, then on-site construction work is reduced, but manufacturing precision and quality control requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear battery modules are designed to be completely self-contained with all systems (fuel, cooling, control, safety) integrated within each module. This self-service design allows each module to be manufactured, tested, and certified as an independent unit in factory production lines, reducing on-site construction work while maintaining high manufacturing precision through standardized production processes and quality control systems.
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 reduces implementation costs and complexity, enhances safety through multiple containment layers and GPS tracking, and allows for reliable, continuous power generation in remote or urban areas, integrating well with renewable energy sources while minimizing radioactive waste and proliferation risks.
Implementation Method 1
a nuclear fuel element (22) and its metallic lining (21), it also shows that two fuel elements, in the center, are replaced by a device for positioning a reactor control and/or safety bar (26)
Implementation Method 2
The fission heat generated is transferred by conduction to heat removal modules embedded in the reflector near the core or at the core-reflector interface
Implementation Method 3
The Nuclear Cell (1) has its own layered shielding and containment arrangement so that they are independent and do not affect each other
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention is related to a Nuclear Battery comprising a plurality of Nuclear Cells housing a nuclear microreactor. The plurality of Nuclear Cells, or modules, combined can generate from 80 kW to 4.8 MW of thermal power and/or from 32 kW to 1.92 MW of electrical power, wherein the power generated is directly proportional to the number of modules or Nuclear Cells assembled in the Nuclear Battery and may vary according to demand. The Nuclear Battery is encapsulated in sealed containments to prevent the release of radioactive materials to operators, the environment and to protect the Nuclear Battery from external threats and damage. Examples of implementations of nuclear batteries or sets of them with electrical power generation capacity between 32 kW and 10 MW are presented, included in the category of small modular reactors and generation IV reactors. The heat generated in the core by fission chain reactions is transferred by conduction to the heat removal module of the reactor, and this transports the heat to the power generation module.