Modular Nuclear Reactor Deflagration Wave Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current nuclear fission reactor technologies face challenges in long-term operation without refueling and in managing nuclear fuel reprocessing, with limitations in controlling fission processes and maintaining reactor stability over extended periods.

Innovation Solution

The development of modular nuclear fission reactors with deflagration wave propagation modes, incorporating neutron modifying structures and thermostating modules to control neutron flux and reactivity, allowing for extended operation without refueling and minimizing nuclear fuel reprocessing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If conventional nuclear fission reactor operation is used, then refueling is required periodically, but operation duration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation durationVSAvoidshutdown time for refueling

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The reactor core is divided into multiple fuel zones with different burnable absorber concentrations, allowing differential fuel consumption rates across zones. This segmentation enables the reactor to operate through complete fuel cycles without refueling, as each zone depletes at a controlled rate

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The concentration of burnable absorbers is varied as a parameter across different fuel zones, with higher concentrations in peripheral zones and lower concentrations in central zones. This parameter change enables control over neutron flux distribution and fuel burn-up rates, extending operational duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high burn-up of non-enriched actinide fuels is achieved, then fuel efficiency improves, but reactor control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefuel burn-up efficiencyVSAvoidreactor control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different fuel zones are assigned different local qualities in terms of burnable absorber concentrations, creating optimized neutron flux distributions throughout the core. This local differentiation enables high burn-up efficiency while maintaining manageable control complexity through spatial zonation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reactor control system dynamically adjusts operational parameters based on fuel depletion patterns across zones. The movable neutron source and control mechanisms adapt to changing conditions, enabling high burn-up while maintaining control through dynamic response rather than static design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Duration of action of stationary object

If deflagration wave propagation mode is used, then extended operation without refueling is enabled, but neutron flux control difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactor operation durationVSAvoidneutron flux control difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

Burnable absorbers serve as intermediary materials that mediate between the neutron source and fuel, controlling neutron flux distribution and deflagration wave propagation. These intermediaries enable extended operation by regulating the fission process across fuel zones with varying concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The reactor system incorporates feedback mechanisms where neutron flux measurements and fuel depletion data inform adjustments to operational parameters. This feedback loop manages the complexity of deflagration wave control by continuously adapting to changing core conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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

Enables prolonged operation at full power without shutdown for nuclear refueling, achieving high burn-up of non-enriched actinide fuels and maintaining reactor stability through advanced spectral control and redundancy in cooling systems.

Implementation Method 1

a deflagration wave propagation mode of operation of a nuclear fuel charge

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeflagration: Deflagration

Implementation Method 2

neutron modifying structures and thermostating modules to control neutron flux and reactivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron absorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

thermostating modules to control neutron flux and reactivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal regulation: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentUS9576688B2Movement of materials in a nuclear reactor

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 TERRAPOWER LLC

AI summary

Illustrative embodiments provide for the operation and simulation of the operation of fission reactors, including the movement of materials within reactors. Illustrative embodiments and aspects include, without limitation, nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, including modular nuclear fission reactors and reactor modules, nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and reactor modules, modular nuclear fission deflagration wave reactors and modules, methods of operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, methods of simulating operating nuclear reactors and modules including the aforementioned, and the like.