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

• US 9,767,934 B2
• Filed: 07/28/2009
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TerraPower LLC
• Original Assignee: TerraPower LLC
• Inventors: Hyde, Roderick A., Ishikawa, Muriel Y., Myhrvold, Nathan P., Walter, Joshua C., Weaver, Thomas Allan, Wood, Jr., Lowell L., Wood, Victoria Y. H.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'CONNOR, MARSHALL P
• Application Number:
  US12/462,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20100260305A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,975 Days
• Field of Search: 376207, 376215, 376241, 376317, 376320-322
• 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

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 system, comprising:

means for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy;

bypass circuitry means operationally connected to the means for thermoelectrically converting heat for protecting the means for thermoelectrically converting heat; and

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

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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 for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the means for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric module for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

12. The system of claim 2, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device having at least a first portion in thermal communication with at least one heat source of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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 gas cooled nuclear reactor system, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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 gas cooled nuclear reactor system, or at least a portion of at least one environmental reservoir, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

17. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for substantially increasing a thermal conduction between a portion of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system and a portion of at least one thermoelectric device.

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

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

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

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

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

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

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the means for supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for supplying the electrical energy to at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

means for 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.

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

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

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

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

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

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

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry means for protecting at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

regulation circuitry for protecting at least one thermoelectric device.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for selectively augmenting the at least one thermoelectric device.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the circuitry means for selectively augmenting at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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.

31. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

means for modifying at least one thermoelectric device output.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy;

regulation circuitry for protecting at least one thermoelectric device; and

at least one electrical output of the at least one thermoelectric device electrically coupled to at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system for supplying the electrical energy to the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one thermoelectric junction for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the at least one semiconductor-semiconductor junction for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

36. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the at least one thermoelectric junction for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

37. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

38. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

39. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

at least one 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, for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

40. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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 for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device sized to meet at least one selected operational requirement of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

43. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

44. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting gas cooled nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

45. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

at least one thermoelectric module for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

46. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one thermoelectric device for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the 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, for converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the 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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy comprises:

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, for thermoelectrically converting heat generated with a gas cooled nuclear reactor system to electrical energy.

51. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

at least one substance or at least one device for substantially increasing a thermal conduction between a portion of at least one gas cooled nuclear reactor system and a portion of at least one thermoelectric device.

52. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

53. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one rod control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

54. The apparatus of claim 52, wherein the at least one control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one valve control system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

55. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one monitoring system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

56. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

59. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one coolant system or the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

60. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the at least one coolant system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one coolant pump circulating at least one pressurized gas coolant of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

61. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one shutdown system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

62. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one operation system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least one warning system of the gas cooled nuclear reactor system.

63. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the regulation circuitry for protecting at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

bypass circuitry for protecting at least one thermoelectric device.

64. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

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 for selectively augmenting at least one thermoelectric device.

65. The apparatus of claim 64, wherein the 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 for selectively augmenting at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

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 programmed to respond to at least one internal parameter of the at least one thermoelectric device.

66. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising:

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

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the power management circuitry for modifying at least one thermoelectric device output comprises:

voltage regulation circuitry for modifying at least one thermoelectric device.