Nuclear Reactor Melt Cooling Drum with Heat Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for confining and cooling nuclear reactor core melts are unreliable due to destruction of peripheral structures and equipment, including water supply valves, during severe accidents, leading to potential radioactive substance release.
Innovation Solution
The system includes a drum with water supply valves equipped with heat reflectors and cooling ribs, installed on the reactor vessel flange, allowing for steam and gas recirculation and ensuring continuous cooling media circulation between the reactor shaft and inner spaces, even if peripheral valves fail, and providing protection against thermal radiation and shock waves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water supply valves are installed inside the multi-layered vessel for melt cooling, then cooling function is provided, but the valves are destroyed by melt impact and thermal radiation causing system failure
Solution Approach 1:
A drum equipped with heat reflectors is introduced as an intermediary protective structure between the melt and the water supply valves. The heat reflectors on the drum surface redirect thermal radiation away from the valves, while the drum structure itself absorbs and dissipates thermal energy, protecting the valves from both thermal radiation and direct melt impact
Solution Approach 2:
The drum with heat reflectors serves as a pre-positioned protective barrier that cushions the water supply valves against thermal radiation and melt impact before these harmful factors can directly affect the valves. This prior protection ensures valve survival during severe accident conditions
2Duration of action of moving object
If cooling water is supplied early to the melt, then cooling is initiated, but steam explosion occurs destroying the system
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through temperature sensors and control systems that monitor melt conditions continuously. Water supply valves are equipped with control systems that receive feedback about melt temperature and system state, enabling delayed water injection until conditions are safe, preventing steam explosions while ensuring cooling occurs at the appropriate time
3Temperature
If the multi-layered vessel and peripheral structures are exposed to thermal radiation from melt, then heat transfer occurs, but equipment collapses into the vessel causing system malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The drum with heat reflectors acts as an intermediary thermal barrier between the melt and peripheral structures. The heat reflectors redirect thermal radiation, and the drum structure absorbs thermal energy, preventing excessive heating of peripheral equipment and maintaining their structural strength during the cooling process
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
Enhances the reliability of melt confinement and cooling by protecting water supply valves and ensuring continuous cooling, preventing equipment damage and radioactive releases, even under extreme conditions.
Implementation Method 1
protection against thermal radiation and shock waves
Implementation Method 2
heat reflectors and cooling ribs
Implementation Method 3
cooling ribs where water supply valves are installed
Implementation Method 4
cooling ribs where water supply valves are installed
Implementation Method 5
ensuring continuous cooling media circulation between the reactor shaft and inner spaces
Implementation Method 6
provide its continuous cooling until its complete crystallization
Implementation Method 7
protection against thermal radiation and shock waves
Data Source
AI summary
A system for confining and cooling melt from the core of a nuclear reactor comprises a guide device, a cantilever truss, a filler for receiving and distributing melt. The filler being disposed in a housing having water supply valves mounted around its perimeter and having a flange with a thermal shield mounted thereon. A drum is mounted on the flange and comprises reinforcing ribs mounted around its perimeter on the inner side. The reinforcing ribs bear against a cover and a bottom. The drum comprises tensioning elements connecting the drum, via a support flange, to the flange of the housing, and spacing elements providing an adjustment gap between the drum and the flange of the housing. The drum comprises nozzles equipped with heat reflectors, cooling ribs, and water supply valves mounted for increasing the reliability of the system for confining and cooling melt from the core of a nuclear reactor.