A dry-cooling system useful in absorbing heat from a heat source and related dry cooling methods including a depolymerization cooling unit (DCU) in fluid communication with a polymerization heating unit (PHU). The DCU includes a DCU heat exchanger which receives a polymer and a catalyst, wherein contact of the polymer and the catalyst within the DCU heat exchanger causes an endothermic reaction, converting the polymer to a monomer and drawing heat from a first heat source. The monomer is then withdrawn from the DCU. The PHU includes a PHU heat exchanger, which receives the monomer, wherein contact of the monomer with the catalyst causes an exothermic reaction within the PHU heat exchanger, converting the monomer to the polymer. The polymer is then withdrawn from the PHU for conveyance back to the DCU, and the cycle is repeated.

A dry-cooling system useful in absorbing heat from a heat source and related dry cooling methods including a depolymerization cooling unit (DCU) in fluid communication with a polymerization heating unit (PHU). The DCU includes a DCU heat exchanger which receives a polymer and a catalyst, wherein contact of the polymer and the catalyst within the DCU heat exchanger causes an endothermic reaction, converting the polymer to a monomer and drawing heat from a first heat source. The monomer is then withdrawn from the DCU. The PHU includes a PHU heat exchanger, which receives the monomer, wherein contact of the monomer with the catalyst causes an exothermic reaction within the PHU heat exchanger, converting the monomer to the polymer. The polymer is then withdrawn from the PHU for conveyance back to the DCU, and the cycle is repeated.

Polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures are provided which include a selectively emissive layer of a polymer or a polymer matrix composite material. Exemplary selective radiative cooling structures are in the form of a sheet, film or coating. Also provided are methods for removing heat from a body by selective thermal radiation using polymer-based selective radiative cooling structures.

Provided are a system and method for reducing the atmospheric release of radioactive materials caused by a severe accident. The system includes a steam generator disposed in a containment building, configured to generate steam by using heat of a coolant heated in a nuclear reactor, and connected to a turbine through a main steam line, a decontamination tank connected to the main steam line through a connection line and containing decontamination water for decontaminating the steam delivered from the steam generator and reducing atmospheric release of radioactive materials when a severe accident occurs, and a depressurizing power generation unit disposed on the connection line and configured to generate emergency power while depressurizing the steam delivered from the steam generator toward the decontamination tank when the severe accident occurs.

Provided are a system and method for reducing the atmospheric release of radioactive materials caused by a severe accident. The system includes a steam generator disposed in a containment building, configured to generate steam by using heat of a coolant heated in a nuclear reactor, and connected to a turbine through a main steam line, a decontamination tank connected to the main steam line through a connection line and containing decontamination water for decontaminating the steam delivered from the steam generator and reducing atmospheric release of radioactive materials when a severe accident occurs, and a depressurizing power generation unit disposed on the connection line and configured to generate emergency power while depressurizing the steam delivered from the steam generator toward the decontamination tank when the severe accident occurs.

In a method for supplying cooling water to a condenser under conditions where an evaporation rate of the cooling water is low during a certain time and is higher during other times, cooling water is delivered from a body of water underlying a cooling tower to the condenser. During the certain time when the evaporation rate of the cooling water is low, a level of the water in the body of water is controlled to a value such that a concentration of a contaminant in the body of water is low, and such that the temperature of the water in the body of water throughout the other times will assure a desired condensate temperature in the condenser throughout the other times. Then, a level of the water in the body of water during the other times is controlled to a value maintaining the low concentration of a dissolved solid and ions.

In a method for supplying cooling water to a condenser under conditions where an evaporation rate of the cooling water is low during a certain time and is higher during other times, cooling water is delivered from a body of water underlying a cooling tower to the condenser. During the certain time when the evaporation rate of the cooling water is low, a level of the water in the body of water is controlled to a value such that a concentration of a contaminant in the body of water is low, and such that the temperature of the water in the body of water throughout the other times will assure a desired condensate temperature in the condenser throughout the other times. Then, a level of the water in the body of water during the other times is controlled to a value maintaining the low concentration of a dissolved solid and ions.

Systems and methods for cooling a power generation working fluid are disclosed that reduce the amount of cooling fluid used. These systems and methods save on water usage in the generation of power by thermoelectric power generation systems.

Systems and methods for cooling a power generation working fluid are disclosed that reduce the amount of cooling fluid used. These systems and methods save on water usage in the generation of power by thermoelectric power generation systems.

Systems and methods for cooling a power generation working fluid are disclosed that reduce the amount of cooling fluid used. These systems and methods save on water usage in the generation of power by thermoelectric power generation systems.