Method, system, and apparatus for the thermoelectric conversion of gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat

• US 20100260304A1
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TerraPower LLC
• Original Assignee: Searete LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Wood, Lowell L. JR., Hyde, Roderick A., Walter, Joshua C., Weaver, Thomas Allan, Wood, Victoria Y.H.
• Application Number:
  US12/460,979
• Publication Number:
  US 20100260304A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 376/299
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 1/02 Arrangements of auxiliary equipment
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 7/04 using thermoelectric elements or thermoionic convertersstructural combination of fuel element with thermoelectric element or with thermoionic converters G21C3/40 , G21H1/10; thermoelectric elements per se H10N10/00, H10N15/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/00 Energy generation of nuclear origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 30/30 Nuclear fission reactors

Abstract

A method, system, and apparatus for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to an operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy; and

supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated operational heat to electrical energy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated decay heat to electrical energy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated residual heat to electrical energy.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one semiconductor—

semiconductor junction.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one semiconductor—

semiconductor junction comprises;

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one p-type/n-type junction.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one metal-metal junction.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one nanofabricated thermoelectric device.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device optimized for a specified range of operating characteristics.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using a first thermoelectric device optimized for a first range of operating characteristics and at least one additional thermoelectric device optimized for a second range of operating characteristics, the second range of operating characteristics different from the first range of operating characteristics.

13. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to at least partially match the heat rejection of the at least one thermoelectric device with at least a portion of the heat produced by the gas cooled nuclear reactor.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to at least partially match the power requirements of at least one selected operation system.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least two series coupled thermoelectric devices.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least two parallel coupled thermoelectric devices.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric module.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least a portion of a nuclear reactor core, at least a portion of at least one pressure vessel, at least a portion of at least one containment vessel, at least a portion of at least one coolant loop, at least a portion of at least one coolant pipe, at least a portion of at least one heat exchanger, or at least a portion of a coolant of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system, the second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system at a lower temperature than the first portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system, the second portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system at a lower temperature than the first portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the thermoelectric device having at least a second portion in thermal communication with at least a portion of at least one coolant loop, at least a portion of at least one coolant pipe, at least a portion of at least one heat exchanger, at least a portion of a coolant of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system, or at least a portion of at least one environmental reservoir.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

substantially optimizing a thermal conduction between a portion of at least one gas cooled nuclear reactor system and a portion of at least one thermoelectric device.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one rod control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one valve control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one monitoring system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a primary coolant loop of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a secondary coolant loop of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant pump circulating at least one pressurized gas coolant.

34. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one shutdown system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one warning system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

36. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

at least partially driving at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system .

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled thermal spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled fast spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled multi-spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled breeder nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein the thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

thermoelectrically converting gas cooled traveling wave nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

42. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

protecting at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the protecting at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry comprises:

protecting at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the protecting at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry comprises:

protecting at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry configured to electrically bypass the at least one thermoelectric device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the protecting at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry configured to electrically bypass the at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

electrically bypassing the at least one thermoelectric device using at least one electromagnetic relay system, at least one solid state relay system, at least one transistor, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one external parameter, or at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one internal parameter.

46. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selectively augmenting at least one thermoelectric device using at least one reserve thermoelectric device and reserve actuation circuitry configured to selectively couple the at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the selectively augmenting at least one thermoelectric device using at least one reserve thermoelectric device and reserve actuation circuitry configured to selectively couple the at least one reserve thermoelectric device to the at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

selectively coupling at least one reserve thermoelectric device to at least one thermoelectric device using at least one relay system, at least one electromagnetic relay system, at least one solid state relay system, at least one transistor, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system, at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one external parameter, or at least one microprocessor controlled relay system to respond to at least one internal parameter to the at least one thermoelectric device.

48. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

modifying at least one thermoelectric device output using power management circuitry.

49. The method of claim 48, wherein the modifying at least one thermoelectric device output using power management circuitry comprises:

modifying at least one thermoelectric device output using voltage regulation circuitry.