PUSH-PULL POWER REACTOR
Abstract
Power generating nuclear reactors of the homogeneous liquid fuel type are discussed. The apparatus utilizes two identical reactors interconnected by conduits through heat exchanging apparatus. Each reactor contains a critical geometry region and a vapor region separated from the critical region by a baffle. When the liquid in the first critical region becomes critical, the vapor pressure above the fuel is increased due to the rise in the temperature until it forces the liquid fuel out of the first critical region through the heat exchanger and into the second critical region, which is at a lower temperature and consequently a lower vapor pressure. The above reaction is repeated in the second critical region and the liquid fuel is forced back into the first critical region. In this manner criticality is achieved alternately in each critical region and power is extracted by the heat exchanger from the liquid fuel passing therethrough. The vapor region and the heat exchanger have a non-critical geometry and reactivity control is effected by conventional control rods in the critical regions.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 4242625
- Patent Number(s):
- 2875143
- Assignee:
- U.S. Atomic Energy Commission
- Patent Classifications (CPCs):
-
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y10 - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC Y10S - TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02E - REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- NSA Number:
- NSA-13-015816
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-59
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- REACTORS; CONFIGURATION; CONTROL; CONTROL ELEMENTS; CRITICALITY; FINS; FUEL SOLUTIONS; HEAT EXCHANGERS; HOMOGENEOUS REACTORS; JOINTS; LIQUIDS; MECHANICAL STRUCTURES; POWER PLANTS; PRESSURE; REACTIVITY; RODS; TEMPERATURE; VAPORS; ZONES
Citation Formats
Froman, D K. PUSH-PULL POWER REACTOR. United States: N. p., 1959.
Web.
Froman, D K. PUSH-PULL POWER REACTOR. United States.
Froman, D K. Tue .
"PUSH-PULL POWER REACTOR". United States.
@article{osti_4242625,
title = {PUSH-PULL POWER REACTOR},
author = {Froman, D K},
abstractNote = {Power generating nuclear reactors of the homogeneous liquid fuel type are discussed. The apparatus utilizes two identical reactors interconnected by conduits through heat exchanging apparatus. Each reactor contains a critical geometry region and a vapor region separated from the critical region by a baffle. When the liquid in the first critical region becomes critical, the vapor pressure above the fuel is increased due to the rise in the temperature until it forces the liquid fuel out of the first critical region through the heat exchanger and into the second critical region, which is at a lower temperature and consequently a lower vapor pressure. The above reaction is repeated in the second critical region and the liquid fuel is forced back into the first critical region. In this manner criticality is achieved alternately in each critical region and power is extracted by the heat exchanger from the liquid fuel passing therethrough. The vapor region and the heat exchanger have a non-critical geometry and reactivity control is effected by conventional control rods in the critical regions.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {1959},
month = {2}
}