Modular Nuclear Fission Deflagration Wave Reactor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear reactors face challenges in long-term operation without refueling and minimizing nuclear fission fuel reprocessing, while also requiring safe disposal of radioactivity and mitigating risks such as operator errors and coolant losses.
Innovation Solution
The development of modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors, which utilize a fast neutron spectrum and a distributed thermostat to enable high burn-up of non-enriched actinides like thorium or uranium, with a nuclear fission igniter and a breeder core design that avoids refueling and reduces the need for fuel reprocessing, and incorporates a negative temperature coefficient of reactivity for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional nuclear reactors operate for long-term periods, then power generation continues, but refueling and fuel reprocessing are required which increase operational complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor core is divided into multiple fuel assemblies that can be independently managed. Each assembly contains fuel rods with specific burnable poison configurations, allowing selective replacement of individual assemblies rather than entire core refueling, thereby extending operational duration while reducing overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Burnable poisons are pre-loaded into the fuel assemblies during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the fuel to be designed with built-in reactivity control that evolves over time, enabling long-term operation without intermediate refueling or reprocessing by predicting and compensating for fuel depletion beforehand
2Duration of action of stationary object
If nuclear fuel is reprocessed to extend operation, then operational duration increases, but environmental contamination risk and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Burnable poisons are intentionally introduced as harmful substances that absorb neutrons, but they convert this harmful effect into a benefit by controlling reactivity over time. The poisons deplete as fuel burns, naturally compensating for fuel depletion and extending operational duration without requiring harmful reprocessing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel assemblies are designed to be self-regulating through the depletion of burnable poisons. As the reactor operates, the poisons naturally deplete and provide automatic reactivity compensation, eliminating the need for external reprocessing operations that would increase environmental contamination risk
3Reliability
If operator interventions are increased to manage reactor operations, then operational control improves, but risk of operator errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reactor system is designed to be self-regulating through automatic feedback mechanisms. The burnable poison depletion provides inherent reactivity compensation that occurs without operator intervention, and the control system automatically adjusts parameters based on real-time monitoring, thereby maintaining reliable operational control while minimizing operator error risk
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 design allows for sustained operation for decades without refueling, achieves high fuel efficiency, and provides a safe and automated system for power generation with reduced risk of accidents and environmental contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a first nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor module and at least a second nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor module are provided, wherein each nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor module includes a nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor core
Implementation Method 2
at least one nuclear fission deflagration wave is propagated in the first nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor module
Data Source
AI summary
Illustrative embodiments provide modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and methods for their operation. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor modules, methods of operating a modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactor, and the like.