Portable Reactor Shielding Layout for Rapid Safe Transport

Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional nuclear power deployments are fixed in nature, making them unsuitable for mobile power needs, and transportation of nuclear generators poses a significant radiation risk to living organisms and the public, requiring long waiting periods to minimize dosage.

Innovation Solution

A mobile reactor radiation shielding solution comprising a multi-layered shielding system, including an in-vessel neutron shield, in-vessel shadow shield, transport shield, and module shadow shield, to reduce radiation activation and dose during operation, shutdown, and transport, while minimizing shielding mass for portability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional fixed nuclear power deployments are used, then radiation shielding is sufficient for safety, but mobility and adaptability to mobile power needs are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemobilityVSAvoidradiation exposure risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding system is divided into multiple independent layers (first shielding layer, second shielding layer, third shielding layer) that can be selectively deployed. Each layer handles specific radiation types or operational phases, allowing the system to maintain adequate shielding while reducing overall mass for mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable system. The shielding layers can be deployed or removed based on operational requirements (operation, shutdown, transport), enabling the reactor to adapt between mobility and fixed deployment modes while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If heavy shielding materials are used to minimize radiation dose during transport, then radiation protection is improved, but the mass of the system increases and transportability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation dose to personnel and publicVSAvoidshielding mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding system is divided into multiple independent layers (first shielding layer, second shielding layer, third shielding layer) that can be selectively deployed. Each layer handles specific radiation types or operational phases, allowing the system to maintain adequate shielding while reducing overall mass for mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding system changes its configuration parameters based on operational state. During transport, the system uses a reduced shielding configuration to minimize mass, while during operation or shutdown, additional shielding layers are deployed to maximize protection, thus optimizing the mass-protection trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If long waiting periods are implemented before transport to minimize radiation dosage, then radiation safety is improved, but the time required for deployment and response capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation dosage riskVSAvoidtransport preparation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding system is pre-configured in a transport-ready state with essential shielding layers already in place, eliminating the need for lengthy pre-preparation waiting periods. The system can be quickly deployed or repositioned while maintaining adequate radiation protection through its pre-assembled shielding architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding system transitions from a static fixed structure to a dynamic deployable system. The shielding layers can be deployed or removed based on operational requirements (operation, shutdown, transport), enabling the reactor to adapt between mobility and fixed deployment modes while maintaining safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If a complete radiation shielding system is deployed during all operations, then radiation protection is maximized, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidshielding system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding system is divided into multiple independent layers (first shielding layer, second shielding layer, third shielding layer) that can be selectively deployed. Each layer handles specific radiation types or operational phases, allowing the system to maintain adequate shielding while reducing overall mass for mobility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 safe transportation of a portable nuclear reactor through populated areas, allowing rapid deployment and removal within days of shutdown, with the ability to perform black-start operations and separate modules for enhanced portability and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

an in-vessel neutron shield located on an interior wall of the pressure vessel to surround the nuclear reactor core

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

reducing activation of structural materials and minimizing radiation dose to operators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a transport shield within the reactor container and outside the pressure vessel that includes a transport shield chamber for containing a moderating fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

minimizing the radiation dose to personnel transporting the reactor and the public that may be close to the reactor during transport

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNeutron moderation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12592324B2Radiation shielding for compact and transportable nuclear power systems

Publication Date: 2026.03.31 LOKI MMR INC

AI summary

A mobile reactor radiation shielding solution prevents activation of structural materials to reduce a radiation dosage risk to living organisms and accelerates timetables for transport. The shielding solution can include: in-vessel neutron shield, in-vessel shadow shield, transport shield, and module shadow shield. In-vessel neutron shield reduces and prevents the activation of the structural materials and significantly reduces the need for heavy shielding to shield against the gamma emissions from activated structural materials. In-vessel shadow shield provides neutron and gamma shielding between the reactor and a balance-of-plant (BOP) module and control system. In-vessel shadow shield is placed near the active nuclear core to minimize size of the shield while maximizing the protected arc to shield radiation workers while preparing the nuclear reactor for transport. Transport shield is used during transportation when living organisms come into proximity of the reactor. Module shadow shield shields reactor control components and BOP module during operation.