Modular Nuclear Fuel Cartridge Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear power generators face challenges in efficiently managing decay heat after shutdown, particularly in avoiding overheating and hydrogen ignition, which requires complex heat transfer systems and redundant power sources, and is limited by passive decay heat removal mechanisms that are climate-dependent.
Innovation Solution
A sealed and scalable fuel cartridge with passive heat transfer elements is developed, which provides thermal coupling and shielding, is reinforced for structural and radiation protection, and can be configured to be sub-critical, becoming super-critical only when multiple modules are assembled for neutron coupling, thus forming a nuclear core.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active safety systems with electrically driven re-circulators are used to remove decay heat, then decay heat removal effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and dependency on electric power increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nuclear reactor system employs passive safety features where coolant automatically circulates through the core and heat exchangers using gravity-driven natural circulation mechanisms. The system serves itself by utilizing density changes in the coolant to drive circulation without requiring external electric power or complex active control systems, thereby resolving the contradiction between effective decay heat removal and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrically driven mechanical re-circulators with gravity-driven natural circulation mechanisms. This substitution eliminates the need for electric motors, complex control systems, and extensive piping networks, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining decay heat removal effectiveness through thermally driven fluid circulation.
2Reliability
If passive safety features with large coolant inventories are used, then electric power dependency is reduced, but adaptability to different environmental conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a modular design where the coolant inventory and heat exchanger configurations can be adjusted based on environmental conditions. The system can operate with varying coolant levels and circulation rates depending on ambient temperature and climate, allowing it to maintain passive safety independence while adapting to different environmental conditions through parameter optimization.
3Reliability
If redundant hydrogen management equipment is installed to prevent hydrogen ignition, then safety against hydrogen explosions is improved, but device complexity and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydrogen recombination catalysts that convert potentially harmful hydrogen gas into beneficial water through catalytic recombination. This passive chemical process eliminates the need for complex active hydrogen management equipment while maintaining protection against hydrogen ignition, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety and system complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple redundant power sources are installed to ensure safe operation during shutdown, then reliability of power supply is improved, but device complexity and operating cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive safety systems that do not require external electric power for decay heat removal. The gravity-driven natural circulation and passive heat exchangers enable the system to safely remove decay heat without relying on redundant electric power sources, thereby maintaining reliability while eliminating complex power supply 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 fuel cartridge enables efficient passive cooling, reduces the risk of hydrogen ignition, and allows for the use of environmental air for cooling, making it suitable for transportable and modular nuclear power systems without the need for on-site balance of plant connections.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of cooling tubes through which a working fluid flows, where each of the plurality of cooling tubes passes through each corresponding cooling channel of the plurality of cooling channels
Implementation Method 2
Coolant flowing through the core and the heat exchangers may be actively circulated by electrically driven re-circulators (e.g., pumps and blowers). Alternatively, the coolant may be passively circulated through the core by gravity-driven natural circulation mechanisms based on coolant density changes.
Implementation Method 3
a pressure vessel defining an interior space for sealingly containing the fuel matrix, wherein the interior space for sealingly containing the fuel matrix comprises a pressure boundary independent from an interior of the plurality of cooling tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a load-following nuclear power generator including a nuclear reactor configured to generate variable amounts of electricity. The system also includes an electric drive and a propeller controlled by the electric drive.