Nuclear Reactor Heat Pumping for Hydroelectric Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating hydroelectric power face challenges such as seasonal water availability, inefficiencies in energy conversion, and the complexity of integrating nuclear power plants with hydroelectric systems.
Innovation Solution
A Hybrid Nuclear-Hydro Power System that directly couples nuclear reactors with water pumps to lift water from downstream to upstream of a hydroelectric power plant, utilizing the heat from the reactor to power the pumps and store water potential energy, which can then be used to generate electricity on demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional nuclear power plants are used to generate electricity and pump water, then electricity can be generated and water can be lifted, but multiple step conversion losses occur and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the electricity generation function from the nuclear reactor system, allowing the reactor to operate independently for water pumping only. This separation eliminates the need for turbines and generators in the nuclear plant, reducing conversion losses while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The nuclear reactor is designed to serve dual purposes: providing heat for water pumping in the hydroelectric system and potentially providing heat for other industrial processes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate electricity generation infrastructure and minimizes energy conversion steps.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional nuclear power plants with balance of plant are used, then electricity generation is achieved, but design and licensing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the electricity generation balance of plant components (turbines, generators, switchyards) from the nuclear reactor design. This extraction simplifies the reactor design to a pure heat source configuration, reducing both manufacturing complexity and licensing requirements while maintaining nuclear safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: the nuclear reactor as a standalone heat source, the pump system for water lifting, and the hydroelectric generation system. This modular segmentation allows each component to be designed and licensed independently, reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If hydro-power plants are operated with seasonal water availability, then electricity generation occurs, but water resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by using nuclear reactor heat to pump water upstream during periods when electricity demand is low or water availability is high. This stored water potential energy can then be utilized during periods of high demand or low water availability, decoupling electricity generation from seasonal water constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The nuclear reactor provides continuous heat input to the pump system, enabling continuous water lifting and storage. This continuous action ensures that water is available for hydroelectric generation throughout the year, eliminating seasonal interruptions and maximizing water resource utilization efficiency.
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
This system maximizes existing hydro-power plant investments, simplifies reactor design and operation, reduces energy conversion losses, and allows for the efficient recycling and reuse of water to generate electricity, while decoupling reactor operation from electricity demand.
Implementation Method 1
nuclear reactors coupled directly with water pumps to lift water from downstream to upstream of hydro-power plant
Implementation Method 2
the heat from the reactor may be directly utilized to generate pumping power to lift water
Implementation Method 3
the lifted water is again used to generate electricity by the hydro-power plant
Data Source
AI summary
An improved electrical generation system explained herein is a method and equipment whereby nuclear reactors are used to directly propel water pumps to lift water from a lower-elevation body of water to a higher-elevation body of water, where it is stored as potential energy.In one application of this method, one or more water pumps, each powered directly by heat from a nuclear reactor, lift water from down-stream of a river, stream, or pond to upstream of a dam at which a hydro-power plant is installed. The nuclear reactor may be of the pressurized-water, boiling-water, liquid metal cooled, or molten salt-cooled type. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are ideally suited to provide pumping heat in an incremental manner in such a method. Reactor heat output may be proportionally diverted to pumping or desalination loads to maintain the reactor core power level at a constant optimized steady state. Upon demand, the lifted water is used to generate electricity utilizing the hydro-power plant. A weir or small dam may be constructed across the river or stream downstream of the heat powered pump, the function of which is to create a reservoir or pool from which water can be pumped.This way, water can be recycled and used more than once to generate electricity, and the reactor can be operated at a steady state power level in conjunction with a preexisting hydro-power plant, thus allowing generation of electricity year-round despite lower water flow conditions.