Method, system, and apparatus for selectively transferring thermoelectrically generated electric power to nuclear reactor operation systems

• US 20100260308A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• 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:
  US12/586,805
• Publication Number:
  US 20100260308A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 376/299
• CPC Class Codes: G21C 1/026 Reactors not needing refueling, i.e. reactors of the type breed-and-burn, e.g. travelling or deflagration wave reactors or seed-blanket reactors
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 3/00 Control of nuclear power plant control of nuclear reaction in general G21C7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 3/04 Safety arrangements emergency protection of reactor G21C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G21D 3/08 Regulation of any parameters in the plant
• 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 selective transfer of thermoelectrically generated electric power to operation systems of a nuclear reactor system including thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy; and

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from a first operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one monitoring system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one security system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one operation system, transferring the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one internal condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the, responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one control system responsive to at least one additional operation system, the at least one additional operation system responsive to at least one external condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one signal from at least one operator, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

16. The method of claim 5, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to at least one shutdown event, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

19. The method of claim 5, wherein the, responsive to at least one condition, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

responsive to a pre-selected transfer start time, transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using activation circuitry.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using activation circuitry comprises:

selectively coupling a first thermoelectric device to a first operation system of the nuclear reactor system and at least one additional thermoelectric device to at least one additional operation system of the nuclear reactor system using coupling circuitry.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using activation circuitry comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using coupling circuitry.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using coupling circuitry comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one transistor.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using coupling circuitry comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one relay system.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one relay system comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one electromagnetic relay system, at least one solid state relay system, or at least one transistor switched electromagnetic relay system.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one relay system comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one microprocessor controlled relay system.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one microprocessor controlled relay system comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one external condition.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one microprocessor controlled relay system comprises:

selectively coupling at least one thermoelectric device to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system using at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one internal condition.

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

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

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

35. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

36. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting 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.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

thermoelectrically converting 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.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the thermoelectrically converting 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 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 nuclear reactor.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the thermoelectrically converting 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 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.

40. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

41. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

42. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

43. The method of claim 29, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one 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 nuclear reactor system.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with a first portion of the nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system, the second portion of the nuclear reactor system at a lower temperature than the first portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device, the at least one 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 nuclear reactor system, or at least a portion of at least one environmental reservoir.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one control system of the nuclear reactor system.

52. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one monitoring system of the nuclear reactor system.

53. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant pool of the nuclear reactor system.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a primary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump coupled to a secondary coolant loop of the nuclear reactor system.

59. The method of claim 53, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid coolant.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid coolant, comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid metal coolant.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid coolant, comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid salt coolant.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one liquid coolant, comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having a liquid water coolant.

63. The method of claim 53, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one pressurized gas coolant.

64. The method of claim 53, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one coolant system having at least one mixed phase coolant.

65. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one shutdown system of the nuclear reactor system.

66. The method of claim 1, wherein the selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one operation system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

selectively transferring the electrical energy to at least one warning system of the nuclear reactor system.

67. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

73. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

protecting the at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein the protecting the at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry comprises:

protecting the at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry.

77. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selectively augmenting the 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.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the selectively augmenting the 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 the 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 condition, or at least one microprocessor controlled relay system programmed to respond to at least one internal condition.

79. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the modifying the at least one thermoelectric device output using power management circuitry comprises:

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

2. (canceled)

3. (canceled)

4. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)

34. (canceled)

48. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. (canceled)

68. (canceled)

69. (canceled)

70. (canceled)

71. (canceled)

72. (canceled)

75. (canceled)

76. (canceled)