Multi-Layer Cooling Apparatus for Molten Core Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling systems for nuclear reactors face challenges in efficiently and quickly cooling molten core materials during severe accidents, leading to potential environmental damage and difficulty in preventing the leakage of molten core material.
Innovation Solution
A cooling apparatus comprising multiple cooling material containers and screens with varying hole sizes is designed to disperse and cool molten core material efficiently, using a coolant with boron and non-condensable gas to fragment and spread the material, thereby increasing cooling speed and efficiency while preventing agglomeration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If conventional cooling systems are used for molten core material, then the system structure is simple, but the cooling speed and efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple cooling material containers arranged in different layers, with each container independently contributing to the cooling process. This segmentation allows for increased cooling capacity and speed while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling apparatus transitions from a single-plane cooling approach to a multi-layered three-dimensional configuration. By stacking cooling material containers across multiple layers with varying hole densities, the system achieves enhanced cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing overall complexity
2Stability of the object's composition
If cooling material containers with uniform hole sizes are used, then the structure is simple, but the molten core material agglomerates and cooling efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the cooling system employ screens with locally optimized hole sizes. The first layer uses screens with larger hole sizes to prevent agglomeration, while subsequent layers use screens with progressively smaller hole sizes to enhance dispersion uniformity. This local quality variation optimizes cooling efficiency for different stages of the process
Solution Approach 2:
The screen structures are pre-configured with specific hole size distributions before the cooling process begins. The first layer screens are prepared with larger holes to initially disperse the molten material, preventing agglomeration before it occurs, while lower layers are pre-configured with smaller holes to refine the dispersion
3Productivity
If a single layer of cooling material containers is used, then the device complexity is low, but the cooling efficiency and heat dissipation capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into multiple functional layers, each containing cooling material containers with screens of specific hole size characteristics. This segmentation enables each layer to perform a specialized cooling function, collectively achieving high cooling efficiency while maintaining modular simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple cooling material containers are arranged in a nested, multi-layered configuration where each layer contains containers with progressively optimized screen characteristics. This nesting approach maximizes the use of available space and achieves enhanced cooling efficiency without proportionally increasing the overall device footprint
4Reliability
If screens with small hole sizes are used throughout, then the dispersion is improved, but the molten core material may clog the holes and cooling reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The first layer of screens is pre-configured with larger hole sizes to initially disperse the molten core material and prevent clogging before it reaches the smaller holes in lower layers. This preliminary action ensures that the smaller holes in subsequent layers remain clear and functional, maintaining cooling reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The screen system is segmented into multiple layers with progressively varying hole sizes. The upper layers use larger holes to handle the initial high-temperature molten material and prevent clogging, while lower layers use smaller holes for refined dispersion. This segmentation distributes the functional requirements across layers, enhancing overall reliability
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 apparatus effectively disperses and cools molten core material, enhancing cooling speed and efficiency, and can be applied to existing nuclear reactor facilities with cost and space savings, minimizing the risk of environmental damage from molten core material leakage.
Implementation Method 1
two or more cooling material containers disposed under a reactor vessel including a nuclear reactor core and including a cooling material therein
Implementation Method 2
a first screen disposed under the two or more cooling material containers and including two or more first through-holes; and a second screen disposed under the first screen and including two or more second through-holes
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a cooling apparatus for a molten core material, including: two or more cooling material containers disposed under a reactor vessel including a nuclear reactor core and including a cooling material therein; a first screen disposed under the two or more cooling material containers and including two or more first through-holes; and a second screen disposed under the first screen and including two or more second through-holes, wherein an average size of the two or more first through-holes is greater than an average size of the two or more second through-holes.