Modular Nuclear Generator with Integrated Vessel Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nuclear generators require complex external cooling systems and large footprints, making them inflexible and costly, with vulnerabilities to beyond design basis accident scenarios such as seismic and flooding events, and they struggle with passive decay heat removal in extreme conditions.
Innovation Solution
A transportable, compact modular nuclear generator system with an integrated nuclear core, power conversion, and power generation equipment within a single vessel, utilizing passive cooling and advanced core configurations like conductive ceramic cores, enabling operation in any climate and reducing the risk of accidents through self-contained heat transfer mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If redundant external cooling systems with complex piping networks are used, then decay heat removal capability is improved, but device complexity and plant footprint increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the core cooling function with the power generation system by integrating heat exchangers and cooling mechanisms within the same vessel housing the nuclear core. This eliminates the need for separate external piping networks and reduces overall system complexity while maintaining reliable decay heat removal through the integrated thermal management system.
2Reliability
If redundant external cooling systems with multiple heat exchangers are implemented, then decay heat removal reliability is improved, but plant footprint and capital cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds cooling systems, heat exchangers, and thermal management components within the vessel that houses the nuclear core. This nested arrangement allows multiple functional systems to occupy the same spatial envelope, significantly reducing the overall plant footprint while maintaining redundant decay heat removal capabilities through the integrated design.
3Device complexity
If passive cooling based on stored coolant inventories is used, then active safety features are reduced, but effectiveness deteriorates in extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials and thermally responsive components that change their physical state or properties in response to temperature variations. This allows the passive cooling system to maintain effectiveness across extreme temperature ranges by automatically adjusting its thermal conductivity, phase state, or heat transfer characteristics based on the ambient conditions, thereby resolving the limitation of traditional temperature-dependent passive cooling systems.
4Adaptability or versatility
If modular transportable design is implemented, then deployment flexibility is improved, but structural integrity and safety against beyond design basis accidents may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the nuclear generator into modular segments that can be independently transported and assembled at the deployment location. Each module is designed with standardized interfaces and robust connection mechanisms that maintain structural integrity during transport and operation. This segmentation enables deployment flexibility in diverse locations while preserving safety through carefully engineered modular architecture that can withstand beyond design basis accident scenarios.
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 efficient, flexible, and safe power generation with reduced footprint and vulnerability, capable of operating in extreme conditions and handling beyond design basis accident scenarios, with the ability to be rapidly deployed and retrieved.
Implementation Method 1
Nuclear generators naturally involve nuclear cores that produce decay thermal energy after shut down
Implementation Method 2
coolant actively circulate using electrically driven re-circulators
Implementation Method 3
transfer thermal energy from the core to the environment
Implementation Method 4
coolant may passively circulate through similarly complex piping networks, thermal-hydraulically coupling the core to extra-core heat exchangers, by gravity-driven natural circulation mechanisms based on the fact that coolant density changes when heated or cooled
Implementation Method 5
power conversion and electric generation equipment fully integrated within a single pressure vessel housing a nuclear core
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to electric power and process heat generation using a modular, compact, transportable, hardened nuclear generator rapidly deployable and retrievable, comprising power conversion and electric generation equipment fully integrated within a single pressure vessel housing a nuclear core. The resulting transportable nuclear generator does not require costly site-preparation, and can be transported fully operational. The transportable nuclear generator requires an emergency evacuation area substantially reduced with respect to other nuclear generators as it may be configured for operation with a melt-proof conductive ceramic core which allows decay heat removal even under total loss of coolant scenarios.