Self-Powered Spent Fuel Pool Cooling Conduit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nuclear power facilities face challenges in rapidly and efficiently cooling spent fuel pools during emergencies, as existing systems require days to cool the fuel, leading to increased shutdown periods and costs, and are vulnerable to power outages and system failures.
Innovation Solution
A self-powered, portable residual heat removal system that includes a submersible cooling conduit with a circulating mechanism powered by primary or auxiliary sources, using a coolant fluid reservoir and a cooling tower to efficiently remove decay heat from spent fuel pools, even in the absence of electrical power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the permanent residual heat removal system is operated for multiple days to cool the fuel, then the fuel cooling is achieved, but the shutdown period is extended and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The portable cooling system is pre-positioned in the spent fuel pool before fuel removal is required. This preliminary placement allows the system to be immediately operational when shutdown occurs, eliminating the need to wait for permanent system availability and reducing overall shutdown time while achieving the same cooling objective.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable cooling system is designed to be self-contained with its own power source (diesel generator) and cooling fluid reservoir, allowing it to operate independently without relying on the facility's permanent electrical infrastructure. This self-sufficiency enables immediate deployment and operation during emergencies or extended shutdowns.
2Productivity
If the spent fuel pool cooling system capacity is increased, then the cooling speed is improved, but the system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling capability is segmented into a permanent system for normal operations and a portable supplemental system for emergencies or accelerated cooling needs. This segmentation allows the facility to maintain a cost-effective permanent system while having the option to deploy additional portable capacity only when needed, avoiding the expense of permanently installing an oversized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system capacity becomes dynamic rather than static - the portable system can be deployed to supplement the permanent system when high cooling capacity is needed, and removed when not needed. This dynamic configuration allows the facility to optimize between cost and performance based on actual operational requirements.
3Reliability
If the permanent cooling system is relied upon, then the system is integrated into the facility, but the system is vulnerable to power outages and system failures
Solution Approach 1:
The portable cooling system acts as an intermediary backup that can be deployed when the permanent system fails or becomes unavailable due to power outages or other failures. This intermediary system provides an independent cooling pathway that does not rely on the facility's vulnerable electrical infrastructure, thereby mitigating the harmful effects of system failures.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable cooling system serves as pre-positioned cushioning against potential failures of the permanent system. By having this backup system already in place and operational, the facility is protected against the harmful effects of power outages or system failures before they can cause fuel damage.
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 rapid and efficient cooling of spent fuel pools, reducing the risk of fuel melting and radioactive releases, lowering costs, and facilitating safer and more efficient reactor servicing by providing a self-sufficient and portable cooling solution.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling conduit disposed within the spent fuel pool within the liquid in which the spent fuel is submerged, having an interior of the cooling conduit isolated from the liquid within the spent nuclear fuel pool
Implementation Method 2
A cooling conduit disposed within the spent fuel pool... through which a coolant can be circulated from the coolant fluid reservoir through the cooling conduit
Implementation Method 3
A circulating mechanism is provided for circulating the coolant through the coupling line. In one embodiment, the circulating mechanism is a pump powered by either a primary or an auxiliary power source
Implementation Method 4
through which a coolant can be circulated from the coolant fluid reservoir through the cooling conduit and out to a receiving pond
Data Source
AI summary
An auxiliary system for cooling a spent nuclear fuel pool through a submersible heat exchanger to be located within the pool. In each train or installation, a single loop or series of loops of cooling fluid (e.g., sea water or service water) is circulated. The system is modular, readily and easily installed during an emergency and can be self operating with its own power source. Multiple trains may be used in parallel in order to accomplish the required degree of spent fuel pool cooling required.