Thorium Fuel Rod with Beryllium Neutron Source
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing accelerator-driven Thorium reactor systems face challenges with heavy metal spallation targets and the use of Plutonium or Uranium as fuel, which are inefficient and pose operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A Thorium fuel rod assembly is designed with a solid Thorium fuel element and a Beryllium-containing inner core, where high-energy particles induce a (p, n) reaction to produce neutrons, facilitating nuclear fission without the need for Plutonium or Uranium, and includes a vacuum-sealed interior cavity to maintain particle energy and directionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If heavy metal spallation targets and Plutonium/Uranium fuel are used in accelerator-driven Thorium reactor systems, then neutron generation and fission reactions can be achieved, but operational complexity and waste production increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for Plutonium or Uranium fuel and heavy metal spallation targets by using a simplified Thorium-based fuel element with an integrated Beryllium neutron source. The Beryllium inner core directly generates neutrons through (p,n) reactions when protons strike it, removing the complex multi-component fuel assembly and spallation target systems from conventional designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The fuel element rod serves multiple functions simultaneously: the outer Thorium-containing material provides fissile fuel, the inner Beryllium-containing material provides neutron generation capability, and the vacuum-sealed cavity provides both structural support and particle directionality. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the reactor system.
2Power
If Plutonium or Uranium is used as fuel in accelerator-driven Thorium reactors, then fission reactions can be sustained, but waste production and operational difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental fuel parameter from Plutonium/Uranium to Thorium-232, which has different nuclear properties. Thorium-232 absorbs neutrons to become Uranium-233, providing a cleaner fuel cycle with reduced waste. The Beryllium inner core changes the neutron generation mechanism from spallation to (p,n) reactions, producing neutrons that sustain fission in the Thorium fuel without requiring Plutonium or Uranium.
3Device complexity
If a solid Thorium fuel element with Beryllium inner core is used, then operational complexity is reduced, but maintaining particle energy and directionality becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum environment within the fuel element rod to maintain particle energy and directionality. The vacuum-sealed cavity removes gas molecules that would scatter protons and neutrons, allowing the particle beam to maintain its energy and directional integrity as it passes through the Beryllium inner core and interacts with the Thorium fuel. This vacuum environment is the inert condition that preserves particle properties without requiring complex external shielding or containment systems.
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
This configuration enhances energy generation efficiency by directly inducing fission in Thorium, reducing waste production and operational complexity, while maintaining safety through sub-critical operation and adaptable neutron energy levels for optimal power output.
Implementation Method 1
beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element such that particles forming the impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the core to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron
Implementation Method 2
the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission
Implementation Method 3
an inner core element formed from a Beryllium-containing material positioned within the interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element... vacuum-sealed interior cavity to maintain particle energy and directionality
Data Source
AI summary
A Thorium fuel rod assembly is disclosed that includes first and second support elements and a number of Thorium fuel rods positioned between support elements. Each of the Thorium fuel rod includes an outer fuel element containing a solid Thorium an inner core element containing Beryllium that is positioned within an interior cavity defined by the outer fuel element. In an exemplary disclosure, the inner core element also defines an inner cavity such that a beam of high energy particles may be directed into the inner cavity of the inner core element to impinge upon a Beryllium nucleus within the inner core element to produce a (p, n) reaction resulting in the emission of a neutron, where the emitted neutron may interact with a Thorium nucleus in the outer fuel element to cause the Thorium nucleus to fission.