System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle
Abstract
The invention relates to a nuclear plant in which the power of a nuclear reactor is controlled via demand of a connected electric grid. A naturally circulating nuclear reactor coolant loop is linked to a water/steam loop by means of a steam generator. The water/steam loop consists of an electric power generating unit and a water recirculating and steam control system. The generator is coupled to an external power grid. As power requirements of the grid change, a controller linked to the generator and a three way valve divides steam flow between the expansion turbine and a feedwater heater to boost or retard the power output. Altering the steam flow changes the pressure and temperature in the water/steam system and thus the coolant flow rate. The change in coolant flow allows the reactor core to regulate its reactivity to reach a state of equilibrium to the demand for electric power.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- University of Chicago, IL (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1524992
- Patent Number(s):
- 10217536
- Application Number:
- 14/228,328
- Assignee:
- U.S. Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F01 - MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL F01K - STEAM ENGINE PLANTS
F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F22 - STEAM GENERATION F22B - METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31-109-ENG-38
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2014-03-28
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Citation Formats
Vilim, Richard B. System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle. United States: N. p., 2019.
Web.
Vilim, Richard B. System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle. United States.
Vilim, Richard B. Tue .
"System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1524992.
@article{osti_1524992,
title = {System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle},
author = {Vilim, Richard B.},
abstractNote = {The invention relates to a nuclear plant in which the power of a nuclear reactor is controlled via demand of a connected electric grid. A naturally circulating nuclear reactor coolant loop is linked to a water/steam loop by means of a steam generator. The water/steam loop consists of an electric power generating unit and a water recirculating and steam control system. The generator is coupled to an external power grid. As power requirements of the grid change, a controller linked to the generator and a three way valve divides steam flow between the expansion turbine and a feedwater heater to boost or retard the power output. Altering the steam flow changes the pressure and temperature in the water/steam system and thus the coolant flow rate. The change in coolant flow allows the reactor core to regulate its reactivity to reach a state of equilibrium to the demand for electric power.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Feb 26 00:00:00 EST 2019},
month = {Tue Feb 26 00:00:00 EST 2019}
}
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