Self-Pressurizing Light Water Reactor with Condensing Steam Generator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current light water reactors require pressurizers and complex systems to maintain reactor pressure, leading to increased costs and potential safety concerns due to high reactor pressure and containment vessel thickness.
Innovation Solution
A self-pressurizing light water reactor design that utilizes natural circulation of a primary coolant at saturation pressure, with a condensing steam generator to transfer heat to a secondary coolant, eliminating the need for pressurizers and allowing for reduced reactor pressure vessel thickness and containment vessel size, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and safety risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If pressurizers and pressurizer heaters are mounted within the reactor pressure vessel to maintain proper pressures, then the reactor can operate at the required pressure, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizer is extracted and removed from the reactor pressure vessel. Instead of maintaining pressure within the vessel using a pressurizer, the system allows the reactor to operate at saturation pressure where the coolant naturally boils and circulates, eliminating the need for pressurizer equipment while maintaining proper operating pressures
Solution Approach 2:
The reactor system uses natural circulation of the coolant at saturation pressure to self-regulate and maintain proper pressure conditions. The boiling and condensation cycles create natural convection currents that sustain reactor operation without requiring external pressurizing equipment
2Stress or pressure
If the reactor operates at high pressure to maintain coolant in liquid form, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the containment vessel thickness and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating pressure parameter to saturation pressure rather than high subcritical pressure. At saturation pressure, the coolant naturally boils and circulates through the core, maintaining effective heat transfer while allowing for thinner containment vessels and reduced manufacturing costs
3Stress or pressure
If pressurizers and complex pressure maintenance systems are installed, then proper reactor pressure is maintained, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressurizer equipment is removed from the system entirely. The reactor operates at saturation pressure where natural boiling and circulation maintain proper pressure conditions, eliminating the need for expensive pressurizer equipment and associated manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical pressurizer system is replaced with a thermal-natural circulation system. Heat-driven boiling and condensation cycles create natural convection currents that maintain reactor pressure without requiring mechanical pressurizing equipment
4Stress or pressure
If high reactor pressure is maintained, then coolant circulation is ensured, but safety risks from potential leakage and vessel embrittlement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The operating pressure is changed to saturation pressure, which eliminates the need for high-pressure containment. The natural boiling and circulation at saturation pressure ensure coolant flow while significantly reducing safety risks associated with high pressure, including leakage potential and vessel embrittlement
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
The self-pressurizing design achieves reduced reactor pressure, thinner containment vessels, and lower manufacturing costs, while minimizing the risk of radioactive coolant leakage and vessel embrittlement, resulting in a safer and more cost-effective nuclear reactor system.
Implementation Method 1
heat a coolant that passes through a core
Implementation Method 2
energy from heated coolant is transferred to generate electrical power
Implementation Method 3
The secondary coolant, once heated (e.g., to steam, superheated steam or otherwise), can drive power generation equipment
Implementation Method 4
energy from heated coolant is transferred to generate electrical power
Data Source
AI summary
A light water reactor for generating power that utilizes circulation of a primary coolant at saturation pressure to cool a nuclear core and transfer heat from the core to a secondary coolant through one or more heat exchangers of a condensing steam generator. The secondary coolant, once heated can drive power generation equipment, such as steam turbines or otherwise, before being condensed and returned to the one or more heat exchangers.