Submerged Nuclear Module Passive Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Underwater electricity production modules with nuclear boilers face challenges in technical feasibility and economic viability, and existing safety measures are inadequate to handle major incidents or loss of cooling systems, which can lead to reactor meltdowns and radioactive contamination.
Innovation Solution
The module incorporates a dry chamber with a safety water storage reservoir in heat exchange with the marine environment, featuring primary and secondary passive heat exchangers for natural cooling, depressurizing systems, and seawater quenching mechanisms to ensure continuous cooling and containment during accidents, independent of external power or seawater intake.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If active cooling systems are used for the nuclear boiler, then cooling efficiency is improved, but dependency on external power and seawater intake increases, making the system vulnerable to accidents and natural disasters
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive heat exchangers that utilize natural convection and thermal radiation for cooling, eliminating the need for external power or active seawater intake systems. The nuclear boiler and reactor compartment exchange heat directly with the marine environment through thermally conductive walls, enabling self-sustained cooling during normal operation and accidents.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical cooling systems (pumps, fans, controlled seawater intake) with passive thermal exchange mechanisms. The reactor compartment and nuclear boiler are designed with thermally conductive walls that enable natural heat transfer to the surrounding marine environment, eliminating mechanical dependency.
2Reliability
If the reactor compartment is fully submerged for safety, then protection from natural disasters is improved, but heat dissipation capability deteriorates due to limited thermal exchange surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends thermal exchange into the vertical dimension by positioning the nuclear boiler and reactor compartment at depth levels where both submersion protection and thermal exchange surface area are optimized. The fully submerged configuration maximizes the surface area available for passive heat dissipation to the surrounding marine environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes thermal exchange parameters by designing the reactor compartment and nuclear boiler with specific thermal conductance characteristics. The walls are engineered to provide adequate thermal exchange surface area while maintaining the submerged configuration for safety.
3Reliability
If passive heat exchangers are used for cooling, then dependency on external power is reduced, but cooling capacity and efficiency deteriorate compared to active systems
Solution Approach 1:
The passive heat exchanger system serves multiple functions: it provides cooling during normal operation, acts as a safety system during accidents, and eliminates the need for external power or seawater intake control systems. The same thermally conductive walls that enable passive cooling also provide structural containment and thermal exchange surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition and natural convection currents driven by temperature differences to enhance passive heat transfer. The thermal conduction through the reactor compartment walls and nuclear boiler enables efficient heat exchange with the marine environment without requiring mechanical pumping.
4Reliability
If the nuclear boiler is placed in a dry chamber for safety, then containment of radioactive materials is improved, but cooling capability deteriorates due to isolation from water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermally conductive walls and passive heat exchangers as intermediaries between the dry reactor compartment and the marine environment. These intermediaries enable thermal exchange without requiring direct water contact with the nuclear boiler or reactor contents, maintaining both containment integrity and cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces active water-cooling mechanisms with passive thermal conduction through the reactor compartment walls. The dry chamber design maintains containment while the thermally conductive structure provides continuous heat transfer to the surrounding marine environment through the chamber walls.
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 solution provides a safe and reliable underwater electricity production system capable of long-term cooling without external power, reducing the risk of reactor meltdown and radioactive leakage, and is resilient to accidents and natural disasters.
Implementation Method 1
the radial wall of said reactor compartment is in a heat exchange relationship with the marine environment
Implementation Method 2
a primary passive heat exchanger placed in the safety water storage reservoir chamber of the reactor
Implementation Method 3
including means for introducing quenching water of the dry chamber receiving the reactor
Implementation Method 4
means for introducing quenching water of the dry chamber receiving the reactor
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater electricity production module includes an elongated cylindrical box, which includes a reactor compartment and an electricity generator compartment. The reactor compartment includes a reservoir chamber and a dry chamber. A nuclear reactor is located in the dry chamber. The reservoir chamber forms a safety water storage reservoir. At least a radial wall of the reservoir chamber is in a direct heat exchange relationship with a marine environment that surrounds the cylindrical box. The reservoir chamber and the dry chamber can be placed in fluid connection. A seawater inlet is formed in a radial wall of the receiving compartment. A duct connects the seawater inlet to the dry chamber. A quenching valve is in the duct. Opening of the quenching valve allows the dry chamber, and thus the nuclear reactor, to be quenched with seawater.