Thermal Storage Loop Parallel to Reactor Secondary Circuit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear cogeneration facilities face challenges in operating reactors at maximum capacity independent of electrical grid demand and meeting high-temperature industrial heat needs, while maintaining efficiency and reducing environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A thermal storage loop is configured in parallel with the secondary circuit of a nuclear reactor, allowing independent operation from grid load fluctuations and enabling high-temperature heat supply to industrial processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the reactor operates at full power capacity independent of grid demand, then the electricity production efficiency is improved, but the heat must be dissipated through environmental cold sources causing harmful discharges
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal storage loop acts as an intermediary between the reactor and the environment, capturing excess heat that would otherwise be discharged harmfully. The loop includes hot and cold reservoirs that store thermal energy, allowing the reactor to operate at full power while the stored heat is later used for industrial processes or building heating, eliminating the need for harmful environmental discharges.
2Productivity
If a thermal storage loop is added to enable independent reactor operation, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage loop serves multiple functions: it stores excess heat from the reactor, supplies heat to industrial processes, provides building heating, and enables the reactor to operate at full power independently of grid demand. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single integrated system.
3Power
If heat is supplied to industrial processes at high temperature, then the useful heat production is improved, but the thermodynamic efficiency of the conversion cycle may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The heat supply system is segmented into different temperature levels: a high-temperature branch for industrial processes and a lower-temperature branch for building heating. The thermal storage loop can selectively supply heat at different temperatures based on demand, allowing high-temperature heat supply to industries without necessarily reducing the overall thermodynamic efficiency of the conversion cycle.
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 reactors to operate at full power capacity regardless of grid demand, supplies high-temperature heat, and enhances overall energy efficiency without reducing thermodynamic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal storage loop is configured in parallel with the secondary circuit of a nuclear reactor
Implementation Method 2
enabling high-temperature heat supply to industrial processes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention essentially consists of using a thermal storage loop (13) in thermal parallel with the secondary circuit (5) of a nuclear reactor.