U.S. patent application number 13/134628 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for dry coolant for primary stage of nuclear reactors.
This patent application is currently assigned to AirWars Defense lp. Invention is credited to Denyse Claire DuBrucq.
Application Number | 20120002776 13/134628 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33417394 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120002776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DuBrucq; Denyse Claire |
January 5, 2012 |
Dry coolant for primary stage of nuclear reactors
Abstract
Nuclear reactors are customarily cooled by water from a natural
source in the area. Water brings impurities to and surrounds the
fuel rods with a mix of materials, some of which react with the
fuel rod contents. Changing the coolant to a pure, inert gas
sourced from its cryogenic liquid form with ambient pressure gives
greater control of the situation and enables running the reactor at
the critical point of water so the cycle of coolant is released to
the purifier carrying whatever material is expelled by the fuel
rods and the steam cycle leaves the radiator from the reactor
chamber as steam leaving little, if any, water release from the
nuclear plant with no impurities but what is emitted by the fuel
rods themselves contaminating the rod environment. Eliminating the
hot water surrounding the plant, security of the Nuclear site is
greater since infrared sighting is prevented with shielding just
the reactor. Reactor byproducts can be separated and isolated to
protect the environment and provide radioactive reagents for
research. Liquid Nitrogen availability also provides the fixed fire
and crises control for the entire facility eliminating water damage
and electrical arcing keeping the computer and control system
functional through crises situations. It is predicted that running
the Nuclear reactor at 374.degree. C., the critical point of water,
can make a smaller system for the same level of power production
from a steam generator and can provide mobility of the system is
small scale.
Inventors: |
DuBrucq; Denyse Claire;
(Arlington, MA) |
Assignee: |
AirWars Defense lp
|
Family ID: |
33417394 |
Appl. No.: |
13/134628 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10437538 |
May 14, 2003 |
|
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13134628 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
376/384 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0601 20130101;
A62C 99/0018 20130101; Y10T 137/0396 20150401; F42B 33/06
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
376/384 |
International
Class: |
G21C 19/28 20060101
G21C019/28 |
Claims
1. A method of steam generation in nuclear reactors that operates
dual chambers, one, with the fuel rods bathed in pure, inert
Nitrogen gas and the other housing the water for conversion to
steam to power the generators that: a. operates with dry fuel rods
at the critical point of water--all steam temperature. b. provides
a radiator interface between the hot gas and the water component.
c. requires less, if not no, external area for cooling of water
components. d. separates out gaseous products of fission before
release into the air. e. generates a greater quantity of steam from
pure water than water coolant systems, and, f. maintains a store of
Liquid Nitrogen or a Noble gas for fire and crises handling
throughout the facility.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the pure, inert
Nitrogen gas cloud sustained at or above 374.degree. C. keeps fuel
rods from Oxygen preventing meltdown from oxidation reactions but
absorbs the heat of fission in the primary segment of steam
generated nuclear power production.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of
heat transfer at critical point for water sustaining a steam
environment for the steam generator to produce electrical power in
the secondary component.
4. The method according to claim 1 of purifying the inert gas by
creating a gradient for cooling the Nitrogen being recycled so the
fission products released as particles, condensed gases and, as
Nitrogen reaches the liquefying temperature, the hydrogen, helium
and neon formed separate out rising above the cold molecular
Nitrogen gas and can be captured in an inverted cylinder type
separator and stored, as in mylar balloons.
5. The method according to claim 1, which provides fire and crises
protection for the entire facility protecting the computer and
control mechanisms as well as the building and physical work areas
of the power plant because the stored Liquid Nitrogen can be
directed to flow into the fire and crises control piping to areas
affected by crises.
6. A method of steam generation of electrical power that can vary
in size of reactor equipment giving better flexibility to use than
water cooled primary systems since the need for external cooling is
self-contained and does not include bodies of water.
7. A method of thermal control of the primary sector of nuclear
reactors regulated by infusing the sector with the same inert gas
just evaporated from its liquid phase making small additions to the
gas volume giving rapid thermal cooling of the fuel rod environment
enabled with: a. thermal tracking of the ambient temperature of the
primary sector of the nuclear reactor with both high temperature
limits and low temperature limits for intervention. b. high
temperature limits reached activate cryogenic liquid infusion into
the primary sector a stream of just evaporated inert gas lowers the
ambient temperature of the primary sector until the temperature is
again within the range of normal operation. c. low temperature
limits reached activate slowing the circulatory action of the inert
gas so less "fresh" just evaporated gas flows in preserving the
heat of fission of the fuel rods to maintain the gas environment at
the critical point of water, 374.degree. C. d. general cycling of
the inert gas in the primary sector provides a slow flow of the
just evaporated gas into the chamber and exhaust of the hot gas out
for cooling and purifying of accumulated fission products keeping a
clean fuel rod environment.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is an expanded, but continued application of U.S. Pat.
No. 7,631,506 stemming from the initial application Ser. No.
10/437,538, filed May 14, 2003, and entitled "Liquid Nitrogen
Enabler." Several additional DuBrucq applications on Nitrogen uses
are referenced.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a method of filling the primary
sector of a nuclear reactor with inert gas rather than water for
managing the temperature of the fuel rods which generate heat by
fission of radioactive material contained wuthin them. This allows
running the reactor at the critical temperature of water
(374.degree. C.) without additional pressurization to keep in
liquid phase water at extremely high temperatures.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,506, DuBrucq, introduces uses of just
evaporated Nitrogen for a range of fire and crises control means
that apply here as it maintains the thermal levels in the primary
sector of the steam generator nuclear reactors.
[0006] U.S. Application 20080196411, Yukievich, Mikhial, Nuclear
Reactors and Steam Generators uses liquid metal has heat transfer
agent from fuel rods in Primary sector for steam generation in
Second sector allowing extremely high temperatures of
operation.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,902,709, Harada et.al. uses Nitrogen to make
ammonia to capture hydrogen generated in the reactor primary sector
which is not related to this patent.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,489, Tate et.al. uses Nitrogen gas for
air cooling the water in the primary sector by cooling the external
side of the containment wall. This also does not conflict with the
concept of the present application.
[0009] U.S. Application 20080181351, Hosokawa et.al. infuses
gaseous Nitrogen to reduce dissolved Oxygen level in Primary Sector
cooling water--again not related.
[0010] U.S. Application 20060056572, Lecomte, Michel, has a gas
generator using Helium as the primary sector coolant and a mixture
of Helium with 50-30% Nitrogen gas in the secondary sector of
nuclear reactors with gas generators--again not related.
[0011] U.S. Application 20100236284, DuBrucq, Preserving Liquid in
Cryogenic Processes speaks to the purification section of the
Nuclear Reactor apparatus described here with the major focus at
the use with Nitrogen gas coming from condensation situations of
fuel harvesting from oil shale, landfill and Methane hydrate
substances.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The need has arisen to provide a method of cooling nuclear
fuel rods with pure, inert gas evaporated from its liquid form. The
most efficient and cost effective choice is Liquid Nitrogen sourced
Nitrogen gas used for the Primary Sector which directly contacts
the fuel rods with pure Nitrogen molecules rather than the polluted
water normally used with steam generators.
[0013] Additionally, using inert gas allows unpressurized heating
of the Secondary stage which generates the steam for the electrical
power generator if operating the Primary Sector at 374.degree. C.,
the critical point of water.
[0014] Additionally, by speeding or slowing the influx of Nitrogen
gas from Liquid Nitrogen, the fuel rod environment can be
maintained between ends of a temperature range for best power
generation with only the adjustment of flow rate.
[0015] Additionally, the products of fission and any other reaction
products of the fuel rods can be eliminated from the Primary Sector
by pulling particles from the Nitrogen gas and cooling it down
condensing out the Ntirogen even freeing Hydrogen, Helium and Neon
that might emerge from the fission reaction. These materials can be
collected and controlled for properly disposing of materials
radioactive or not by selling pure material.
[0016] Additionally, without having to rely on a body of water to
cool the water bathing the fuel rods, the location of the nuclear
reactor can be secure with just shielding of the fuel rod and steam
and power generator sections from heat detecting probes.
[0017] Additionally there is the possibility of reducing the size
of the nuclear power generator with the Nitrogen cooling Primary
Sector to a size that could power a train or boat or aircraft,
while still keeping the radiation associated with nuclear
facilities away from passengers and crew and cargo that might be
effected by radiation.
[0018] Additionally the nuclear facility could be underground
increasing the safety and putting it closer to the end user of the
power, thus reducing the need for a power grid structure that when
damaged, shuts down sections of the country as practiced in the
USA.
[0019] Additionally, the nuclear reactor could be on board a
spacecraft where temperatures in darkness can reach -270.degree.
C., sufficient to freeze the Nitrogen to a solid at -210.degree.
C., in two forms at -237.degree. C. and to take it to liquefying
temperature at -195.8.degree. C. as one gets into the light
allowing minimum mass for electrical power creation.
[0020] And, finally, additionally, to have purity of coolant in the
fuel rod area allowing collection of byproducts of nuclear
reactions to be amassed for sale or research uses.
[0021] These and other advantages and features of the invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed
description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood,
however, that the detailed description and accompanying drawings,
while indicating preferred embodiments of the present invention,
are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many
changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the
present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and
the invention includes all such modifications.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference
numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 shows a rendition of a steam generating nuclear power
plant showing the primary and secondary sectors plus the inert gas
source and cooling regulation.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows the cycling of the Nitrogen or other inert gas
coolant to purify it and harvest the fission products and then
liquefy the gas and evaporate it giving a pure, mono-element
coolant for the primary section of the reactor.
[0025] FIG. 3 shows the Steam Power Generator compartment with the
steam condensing upon use and flowing into a collector with pump
that recycles the water back into the Secondary Section which
generates steam. Here water can accumulate salts.
[0026] FIG. 4 shows the Steam Power Generator compartment with the
steam condensing upon use and condensed water flowing into an ice
cube generator which can remove salts from the water as the ice
freezes. Not shown is a cube wash which eliminates the salts on the
outer surface of the ice and the containers where they freeze.
Coldness to freeze the water is achieved by freezing in the inert
gas purifier.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A First Embodiment of the Present Invention
[0027] Turning now to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, shows
the components of the nuclear reactor steam power generator as 1
the primary section of the reactor with fuel rods 4 in a container
10 flooded with inert gas 11 held on a base 5; the secondary
section 2 which generates the steam 70 by having the radiators 21
at the critical temperature of water, 374.degree. C.; the third
section 3 recycles and purifies the inert gas. The final section 8
is the steam generator that creates the power. The power generator
is not elaborated upon since this discovery only deals with
creating sufficient steam to drive the generator which is of
anothers' design. Details of 3 are given in FIG. 2.
[0028] The process in the Primary Sector 1 is as follows: The pure,
inert gas at cryogenic temperature enters the Primary cylinder 10
at the twin inputs 12 feeding fresh gas into the contained gas 11
to absorb the heat generated by the fuel rods 4. As the temperature
reaches 374.degree. C., the critical temperature for water keeping
it all vapor, steam, the hot gas from around the fuel rods rises up
to the top plate 14 and flows into the hot gas pipes 20 heating the
radiator 21 to the critical temperature so water in the Secondary
Section 2 converts to steam. Some radiators have an exit pipe 27 to
heat another segment of radiator. The gas, then cooled from heating
the radiator(s), leaves via the cooled gas pipes 22 which takes the
cooled gas to the base 5 of the Primary Section where it enters the
Primary section 23 cycling the gas to again be heated by the fuel
rods.
[0029] The process in the Secondary Sector 2 includes the steam
shell 26 which is fully insulated against heat loss to preserve the
steam 24, generated on the radiators 21, which then passes to the
steam generator 8 to drive the power generator.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, the purifying process for the inert
gas, the gas passing out of the Primary Sector from orifice 7 where
wide passage 70 first implements dropping of particles carried by
the gas dropping it down the cylinder 71 to the bottom accumulation
15. The gas is cooled by proximity of the cryogenically cold gas
pipes 30, and as it cools, impurities which emerge from the fission
process carried in the gas are condensed and held in thermal level
segments 31 and then the gas passes through the used gas outlet 13
into the lower section 33 of the double chamber box where the used
gas reaches cryogenic temperature--close to, if not at,
-195.8.degree. C. The cryogenic used gas passes through the light
gas separator 34 where the light gases, Hydrogen, Helium and Neon,
rise in the Light gas cylinder 36. As they collect the cylinder
rises. To store these light gases, when the cylinder is lowered
with valve 37 open, the light gases pass through the light gas
storage tie 38 and into the light gas carriers 39, suggest mylar
balloons. The used gas with both heavier materials extracted and
the light gases extracted then passes through the entrance 61 of
the Nitrogen gas/Liquid Nitrogen mixer condensing the gas into
liquid. The Liquid Nitrogen--pure--passes through the tube 60
entering the dewar 16 at opening 62. The Liquid Nitrogen valve 63
driven by thermal controllers in the Primary Sector 1 adjusts the
rate of flow of the liquid Nitrogen through the sieve unit 64
causing the Liquid Nitrogen to rain 65 into the upper chamber 32,
the gas input chamber, which then passes through the two pipes 30
cooling the exhaust gas as it warms and enters the Primary Sector 1
at the pure Nitrogen input 12 keeping the gas temperature around
the fuel rods at the proper level.
[0031] Looking at FIG. 3, not showing the steam power generator
design since it is not part of this patent, the water cycle is
illustrated in the Steam Generator Section 8 where steam 70 cools
with use producing water 71 which is collected in the water
collector 72 and passed into the collecting tube 73, through a pump
74 which moves it upward allowing it to pass through the faucet 75
and into the sieve 76 which makes it fall like rain in drops 77
onto the radiator units 21 which convert it to steam 70 which
drives the steam power generator.
[0032] Looking, last, to FIG. 4, not showing the steam power
generator design since it is not part of this patent, the water
cycle is enhanced by freezing the water to eliminate salts from the
water. The power generator section 8 has the steam 70 condensing
into water 71 which is collected in the water catch 72 and passes
down the collecting tube 73. It then enters the cryogenic cold
atmosphere of the inert gas purifier 3 so the water can freeze in
the ice cubers 81 which are attached to the conveyor 80 moving in a
loop. The collector tube 73 fills the ice cubers 81 with water 71
which freezes into ice cubes 82. As the conveyor progresses, the
ice cubes 82 are set on the ice cube collector 83 which turns and
releases the ice cubes 82 to the ice cube lift 84 which carries
them up into the Secondary Section 2 placing them in the sieve 76
where they melt and the water 71 rains down as water drops 77
falling on the radiator units 21 where they evaporate into steam 70
which passes on to drive the steam power generator, not shown.
Salts in the water will move to the outside of the ice cube 82 or
stick in the ice cuber 81. The salts can be washed in the process,
but this process is not shown.
[0033] To understand the workings of the cooling system for the
fuel rods in the Primary Section 1 combined with the purifying
section 3, there are only two adjustment valves needed, that
controlled by the thermal regulator pacing the flow of Liquid
Nitrogen 63 and the valve 37 opening the light gas exhaust to fill
the mylar balloon or other light gas storage means 39 which just
releases the light gases to reduce the volume in the cylinder so it
can be further separated and sold with Hydrogen used to reduce
Calcium compounds to Calcium metal if desired. (Reference here to
DuBrucq patent application Ser. No. 11/825,992.) Helium and Neon
are separated by density. The impure inert gas 7 is pulled from the
Primary section 1 by the dropping out of air suspended grit 15
which precipitates and the condensing of material 31 contaminating
the inert gas, most likely Nitrogen 11, drawing more gas from the
Primary section 1. Then as the gas continues it releases light
gases as Hydrogen, Helium and Neon which further pull the Nitrogen
along. Finally the Nitrogen is mixed with Liquid Nitrogen in the
mixer 61 which takes out the gaseous Nitrogen which is then
replaced in the exhaust tube by more gas from the primary
chamber.
[0034] Driving this pull of gas from the Primary section is the
cryogenic side of the Nitrogen cycle where the Liquid Nitrogen is
carried to the dewar from the Mixer and is apportioned with a valve
to regulate the fuel rod environment temperature. It evaporates in
the upper chamber over the exhaust gas chamber cooling it after
condensing out impurities and before the light gas release. The
cryogenic, pure, inert Nitrogen passing up the tubes over the
exhaust tube cools it to implement impurity condensing and then
passes into the Primary chamber 1 to cool the fuel rods as fission
reaction in them heats the environment.
[0035] The water cycle in the system is driven by the heated
radiator units 21 converting water drops 77 into steam 70 in the
Secondary chamber and passed on to the Steam Power Generator
chamber 8 where with power transfer it condenses into water 71 and
is collected in the water catch 72 and collecting tube 73 where it
can be pumped back into the secondary chamber and passed through a
sieve 76 to rain onto the radiator units 21, or, to purify the
water, can be frozen into ice cubes in the cryo-chamber 3 and
passed back into the steam chamber 2 to melt and run through the
sieve 76 and rain onto the radiators. Power here is by the pump 74
for the water coming from the collecting tube 73 or the lift 84 for
the ice cubes as well as the turning of the loop conveyor 80 for
the ice cubers and the turning of the ice cube collector 83.
[0036] With the purification of both the inert gas, most likely
Nitrogen, and water, the system can be kept free from contaminates
and the fission products are eliminated being carried by the
Nitrogen gas into the purifier. The thermal control is regulated by
the rate of passage of the Liquid Nitrogen. The feed of Liquid
Nitrogen can be increased with an external auxiliary feed into
either the mixer 61 or the dewar 16. That would be part of a fixed
fire control system for the Nuclear Power Plant facility preventing
meltdown of the fuel rods. Fire fighting and crises control with
Liquid Nitrogen is covered in DuBrucq's U.S. Pat. No. 7,631,506 and
other pending applications.
[0037] Many changes and modifications could be made to the
invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of
some of these changes can be appreciated by comparing the various
embodiments as described above. The scope of the remaining changes
will become apparent from the appended claims.
* * * * *