Nuclear Reactor Heat Exchanger Attachment via Discharge Duct Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing nuclear reactor designs, particularly for low- or medium-power reactors, face challenges in optimizing the compactness and transportability of internal modules, which affects their economic viability and maintenance efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a device that attaches the heat exchanger to the reactor vessel through a zone where the secondary fluid discharge duct passes, allowing for a compact configuration that minimizes space usage within the vessel and facilitates easy attachment and detachment of the heat exchanger, enabling efficient thermal expansion and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the heat exchanger is attached to a separate zone from the discharge duct passage, then the attachment is structurally independent and easier to install, but the reactor vessel occupies more vertical space and the discharge duct becomes longer

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactor vessel space utilizationVSAvoidattachment and duct integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat exchanger attachment function with the discharge duct passage function by positioning both through the same zone of the reactor vessel. The attachment device includes attachment members that pass through the vessel wall in the same zone where the discharge duct passes, allowing dual functionality in a single spatial location. This integration reduces the vertical space required in the reactor vessel and shortens the discharge duct length while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If the discharge duct is made longer to allow separate attachment zones, then the heat exchanger can be more easily attached and detached, but the duct occupies more space inside the vessel and reduces space for other components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger attachment and detachmentVSAvoidspace available for other reactor components

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the attachment device and discharge duct passage through the same zone of the reactor vessel. The attachment members are positioned to pass through the vessel wall at the same location where the discharge duct passes, allowing the heat exchanger to be attached and detached without requiring a longer discharge duct. This integration maximizes the space available for other reactor components while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If multiple separate attachment devices are used for the heat exchanger, then the attachment is more robust and distributed, but the device complexity increases and space is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat exchanger attachment robustnessVSAvoidnumber of attachment devices

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple attachment members within a single attachment device structure that passes through the discharge duct passage zone. The attachment members are distributed around the discharge duct passage, providing robust distributed attachment while maintaining a unified device structure. This approach provides the strength of multiple attachment points without the complexity of multiple separate devices, as all attachment members are coordinated through the single integrated attachment device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach results in a more compact and maintainable reactor design, optimizing space within the vessel and allowing for easier assembly and disassembly of internal components, thereby enhancing the economic viability and operational efficiency of the reactor.

Implementation Method 1

the heat exchanger being a steam generator, the secondary fluid penetrating the vessel in the liquid state, and being vaporized in the heat exchanger under the effect of the heat ceded by the primary fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the primary fluid is heated in the core of the reactor, and flows from the core to one or more primary fluid inlets formed in the plate exchanger(s). After passing through the plate exchanger, the primary fluid circulates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS10002682B2Nuclear reactor having plate or micro-channel heat exchangers integrated in the vessel

Publication Date: 2018.06.19 SOC TECH POUR LENERGIE ATOMIQUE TECHNICATOME

AI summary

A nuclear reactor is provided that includes a vessel; a core provided in the vessel; at least one plate heat exchanger provided in the vessel, with at least one duct for supplying a secondary fluid to the heat exchanger and a duct for discharging the secondary fluid from the heat exchanger, the discharge duct extending through the vessel. The nuclear reactor comprises a device for attaching the heat exchanger to an area of the vessel through which the discharge duct extends.