Modular Thermal Shielding Passive Heat Removal Micro-Reactors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-reactors face challenges in passive heat removal due to geometric constraints and safety concerns with existing natural convection systems, which limit heat flux and increase the risk of unsafe conditions during operational transients and accidents.
Innovation Solution
A housing assembly with modular walls and integrated passive temperature control systems, including heat pipes and loop thermosiphons, that surround the reactor to enhance heat transfer through radiative heat transfer, increasing the heat removal capacity while maintaining safety and simplicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If natural convection systems are used for heat removal, then the system is simple and passive, but heat flux is limited and safety risk increases during operational transients and accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple heat removal mechanisms (natural convection, radiation, and phase change) into a single integrated passive cooling system. The housing assembly incorporates radiation panels and phase change materials alongside natural convection pathways, allowing the system to achieve high heat flux removal while maintaining passive operation and enhanced safety during transients and accidents.
2Volume of moving object
If geometric constraints are imposed on the housing assembly, then the system becomes more compact and suitable for micro-reactors, but heat transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses geometric constraints by utilizing multiple spatial dimensions and orientations for heat transfer. Radiation panels are positioned on multiple surfaces of the compact housing, phase change materials are distributed throughout the volume, and convection pathways are optimized in three-dimensional space, allowing efficient heat removal from a compact micro-reactor configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing assembly employs composite structures combining different materials with complementary thermal properties. Radiation panels use high-emissivity coatings, phase change materials are encapsulated in thermal conductive housings, and insulation layers are strategically placed to manage heat flow, achieving efficient heat transfer within compact geometric constraints.
3Productivity
If active cooling components are added to increase heat removal capacity, then heat flux increases, but system complexity and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-regulating passive heat removal mechanisms that automatically respond to thermal conditions without external control. Phase change materials automatically absorb heat during transients, radiation panels continuously emit thermal energy, and natural convection self-adjusts based on temperature gradients, achieving high heat removal capacity without active components or system complexity.
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 solution effectively increases heat removal capacity beyond natural convection limits, ensuring safer and more reliable operation of micro-reactors by integrating passive cooling methods within the modular walls, providing thermal and radioactive shielding, and reducing the need for active components.
Implementation Method 1
enhance heat transfer through radiative heat transfer
Implementation Method 2
heat pipes
Implementation Method 3
loop thermosiphons
Implementation Method 4
loop thermosiphons
Data Source
AI summary
A housing assembly configured to house a reactor is disclosed. The housing assembly includes a plurality of modular walls configured to surround the reactor and a passive temperature control system. The plurality of modular walls includes a first modular wall. The passive temperature control system is coupled to the first modular wall. The passive temperature control system is configured to transfer heat between the reactor and an area around the housing assembly.