Shielded Electromagnetic Pump Casing for Reactor Radiation Exposure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic pumps in nuclear reactors face challenges in withstanding the harsh radiation and thermal environments, leading to potential degradation and reduced reliability, which affects the efficiency and safety of liquid metal coolant circulation.
Innovation Solution
The electromagnetic pumps are designed with gamma shielding materials in flow ducts and neutron absorber materials in the pump casing to block radiation, combined with a neutron moderator to moderate and absorb neutrons, enhancing the pumps' durability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electromagnetic pumps are placed closer to the reactor core to improve cooling efficiency, then heat transfer performance is improved, but radiation exposure increases causing component degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gamma shielding material and neutron absorber material as intermediary substances between the reactor core and the electromagnetic pump components. These materials form a protective barrier that mediates the harmful radiation exposure while allowing the pump to operate closer to the core for improved cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump casing is constructed using composite materials including gamma shielding material (such as lead or depleted uranium) and neutron absorber material (such as boron-containing materials). This composite structure provides simultaneous protection against both gamma radiation and neutron exposure, enabling the pump to withstand the harsh radiation environment near the reactor core.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If shielding materials are added to protect pump components, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the shielding function with the structural casing of the electromagnetic pump. The gamma shielding material and neutron absorber material are integrated into the pump casing itself rather than being separate components, thereby providing radiation protection while minimizing additional structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump casing serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural containment for the electromagnetic components, acts as a gamma radiation shield through incorporated shielding material, and functions as a neutron barrier through absorber material. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components.
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 shielding and absorber materials protect internal components from radiation, extending the pumps' lifespan, improving reliability, and allowing closer proximity to the reactor core, thus enhancing reactor design flexibility and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of induction coils within the interior of the EMP and configured to be electrically connected to a power supply, the plurality of induction coils configured to control the flow of liquid metal coolant through the primary coolant flow path via the flow annulus based on electrical power received from the power supply
Implementation Method 2
At least one flow duct of the inner flow duct or the outer flow duct may include a gamma shielding material that is configured to block gamma rays from entering the interior of the EMP from the flow annulus
Implementation Method 3
The pump casing may include a neutron absorber material that is configured to absorb neutrons entering the pump casing from an exterior of the EMP
Implementation Method 4
The EMP may further include a neutron moderator material on an outer surface of the pump casing. The neutron moderator material may be configured to moderate neutrons received from the exterior of the EMP such that the neutrons entering the pump casing from the exterior of the EMP are moderated neutrons
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic pump (EMP) for a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes a pump casing, concentric inner and outer flow ducts collectively defining a flow annulus extending coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the EMP, and induction coils configured to control the flow of liquid metal coolant through the flow annulus based on electrical power received from the power supply. At least one of the inner flow duct or the outer flow duct includes a gamma shielding material configured to block gamma rays from entering an interior of the EMP from the flow annulus. The pump casing may include a neutron absorber material configured to absorb neutrons entering the pump casing from an exterior of the EMP. The EMP may include a neutron moderator material on an outer surface of the pump casing and configured to moderate neutrons entering the pump casing to be absorbed by the neutron absorber material.