Method and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat

• US 20100260303A1
• Filed: 04/13/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,691,507 B2
• 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 and system for the thermoelectric conversion of nuclear reactor generated heat including upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy and supplying the electrical energy to a mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy; and

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

during initiation of a nuclear reactor shutdown, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

preceding initiation of a nuclear reactor shutdown, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

following initiation of a nuclear reactor shutdown, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump in series with at least one additional mechanical pump.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump in parallel with at least one additional mechanical pump.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying supplemental pumping power to the at least one coolant system.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying supplemental pumping power to the at least one coolant system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying supplemental pumping power to the at least one coolant system, the supplemental pumping power enhancing a pumping mass flow rate.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying auxiliary pumping power to the at least one coolant system.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying auxiliary pumping power to the at least one coolant system comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying auxiliary pumping power to the at least one coolant system, the auxiliary pumping power establishing a coolant mass flow rate.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying auxiliary pumping power to the at least one coolant system, the auxiliary pumping power establishing a coolant mass flow rate comprises:

at least partially driving at least one mechanical pump coupled to at least one coolant system of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump supplying auxiliary pumping power to the at least one coolant system, the auxiliary pumping power establishing a coolant mass flow rate, the coolant mass flow rate maintaining circulation in at least one reactor coolant pool, at least one reactor coolant pressure vessel, at least one reactor heat exchange loop, or at least one ambient coolant.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated decay heat to electrical energy.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated residual heat to electrical energy.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, the at least one safety system of the nuclear reactor system responsive to at least one sensed nuclear reactor system condition.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, the at least one safety system of the nuclear reactor system responsive to at least one sensed nuclear reactor system condition comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, the at least one safety system of the nuclear reactor system responsive to at least one sensed external nuclear reactor system condition.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, the at least one safety system of the nuclear reactor system responsive to at least one sensed nuclear reactor system condition comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one reactor control system responsive to at least one signal from at least one safety system, the at least one safety system of the nuclear reactor system responsive to at least one sensed internal nuclear reactor system condition.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy, the nuclear reactor system shutdown event established by at least one signal from an operator.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one semiconductor-semiconductor junction.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one semiconductor-semiconductor junction comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one p-type/n-type junction.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric junction comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one metal-metal junction.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one nanofabricated thermoelectric device.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

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

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

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using 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.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system and at least a second portion in thermal communication with a second portion of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system, the second portion of the nuclear reactor system at a lower temperature than the first portion of the nuclear reactor system.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 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:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting 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 nuclear reactor system, or at least a portion of at least one environmental reservoir.

35. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

36. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating coolant through a portion of at least one nuclear reactor core or a portion of at least one heat exchanger.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid coolant.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid coolant comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid metal coolant.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid coolant comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid salt coolant.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid coolant comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating liquid water.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating at least one liquid coolant comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of a pool type nuclear reactor system.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

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

43. The method of claim 1, wherein the supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system comprises:

supplying the electrical energy to at least one mechanical pump of the nuclear reactor system, the at least one mechanical pump circulating a mixed phase coolant.

44. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting thermal spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting fast spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting multi-spectrum nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

47. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting breeder nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

48. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting traveling wave nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy.

49. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least two series coupled thermoelectric devices.

50. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least two parallel coupled thermoelectric devices.

51. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric module.

52. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

protecting at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the protecting at least one thermoelectric device with regulation circuitry comprises:

protecting at least one thermoelectric device with bypass circuitry.

54. The method of claim 53, 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.

55. The method of claim 54, 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.

56. 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.

57. The method of claim 56, 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.

58. The method of claim 1, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, 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 comprises:

upon a nuclear reactor system shutdown event, thermoelectrically converting nuclear reactor generated heat to electrical energy using at least one thermoelectric device sized to match the power requirements of at least one mechanical pump.

62. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

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

63. The method of claim 62, 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.

64-186. -186. (canceled)