Systems and methods provide data gathering and execution on the same without human operations. Systems may include controls and sensors that electronically provide data and operations to a processor networked with the same. For a nuclear reactor, the processor may determine reactivity from the sensors and issue commands to actuators to operate the reactor. Reactivity may be determined based on all reactivity factors determined from the plant data, including the use of modelling. The processor may position control elements or moderator feeds to achieve a desired reactivity. The processor may be networked to plant switches and sensors, and multiple processors may be used to independently calculate and decide on plant operations. Human operator input is not required at discreet instances of plant operational change; systems may include displays and input interfaces to permit observation and/or intervention if absolutely necessary.

This invention relates to the monitoring and diagnosing of the nuclear power plant for both its thermal performance and safety using the Neutronics/calorimetrics/Verification (NCV) Method. A key feature of the NCV Method is its ability to convert nuclear power, dependent on neutron flux, to an energy flow. The descriptive vehicle for nuclear phenomena lies with Second Law exergy analysis, treating its MeV release as a thermodynamic potential. Such potential is a Free Exergy consisting of both recoverable and irreversible portions. In transference to a coolant, the recoverable release produces an exergetic increase, an available power ({dot over (m)}g), the fluid exergy's T.sub.Ref being explicitly computed from an Inertial Conversation Factor (). also directly transforms the recoverable nuclear release to an explicit, and consistent, core thermal power ({dot over (m)}h).

This invention relates to the monitoring and diagnosing of the nuclear power plant for both its thermal performance and safety using the Neutronics/calorimetrics/Verification (NCV) Method. A key feature of the NCV Method is its ability to convert nuclear power, dependent on neutron flux, to an energy flow. The descriptive vehicle for nuclear phenomena lies with Second Law exergy analysis, treating its MeV release as a thermodynamic potential. Such potential is a Free Exergy consisting of both recoverable and irreversible portions. In transference to a coolant, the recoverable release produces an exergetic increase, an available power ({dot over (m)}g), the fluid exergy's T.sub.Ref being explicitly computed from an Inertial Conversation Factor (). also directly transforms the recoverable nuclear release to an explicit, and consistent, core thermal power ({dot over (m)}h).

This invention discloses a computer apparatus whose instructions describe a process which greatly improves the analysis of system entropy flows, irreversible losses and Carnot Reversibilities associated with heat exchangers used in all thermal engines. Irreversible losses include those from shell and tube heat exchangers, as a component, and those from the shell-side of heat exchangers such as condensers. The understanding of any thermal engine lies with either understanding its inputs and useful power output, and/or understanding system losses. This disclosure focuses on entropy flows and system losses. It results in revision to the classic Carnot Engine resulting in an Exergetic Engine. Although Exergetic Engine's roots are embedded in Carnot's device, its invention is uniquely created by recognizing true thermodynamic irreversibility associated with any heat exchanger is determined by the summation of its internal exergy flows. This leads to a correction of Sadi Carnot's T.sub.Hot. For the nuclear engine, his T.sub.Cold is also redefined as a Fixed T.sub.Ref dependent on neutronic constants and the core's coolant properties. Correcting his 200 year-old teachings produce a highly accurate irreversible loss, and thus a highly accurate Carnot Reversibility which improves the thermodynamic understanding of all thermal engines. With such improved understanding, the system operator has actionable intelligence which can protect the public, and corrects degradations within the power plant which improve operations.

This invention discloses a computer apparatus whose instructions describe a process which greatly improves the analysis of system entropy flows, irreversible losses and Carnot Reversibilities associated with heat exchangers used in all thermal engines. Irreversible losses include those from shell and tube heat exchangers, as a component, and those from the shell-side of heat exchangers such as condensers. The understanding of any thermal engine lies with either understanding its inputs and useful power output, and/or understanding system losses. This disclosure focuses on entropy flows and system losses. It results in revision to the classic Carnot Engine resulting in an Exergetic Engine. Although Exergetic Engine's roots are embedded in Carnot's device, its invention is uniquely created by recognizing true thermodynamic irreversibility associated with any heat exchanger is determined by the summation of its internal exergy flows. This leads to a correction of Sadi Carnot's T.sub.Hot. For the nuclear engine, his T.sub.Cold is also redefined as a Fixed T.sub.Ref dependent on neutronic constants and the core's coolant properties. Correcting his 200 year-old teachings produce a highly accurate irreversible loss, and thus a highly accurate Carnot Reversibility which improves the thermodynamic understanding of all thermal engines. With such improved understanding, the system operator has actionable intelligence which can protect the public, and corrects degradations within the power plant which improve operations.

The nuclear-energy storage integrated lead-based reactor with an autonomous load-following function includes a reactor core, a phase change energy storage device, and a thermal energy utilization device; the reactor core is configured for heating a coolant, and the thermal energy utilization device is configured for absorbing heat in the coolant; the phase change energy storage device is provided at an inlet side of the reactor core, and configured for exchanging heat with the coolant, and a phase change temperature of the phase change energy storage device is consistent with a preset inlet temperature of the reactor core. The nuclear-energy storage integrated lead-based reactor has a natural circulation flow rate that is not easy to oscillate and diverge, the fuel assembly does not have the risk of overheating and melting, and the structural components are not easy to suffer from thermal fatigue, and it has high safety performance.

The nuclear-energy storage integrated lead-based reactor with an autonomous load-following function includes a reactor core, a phase change energy storage device, and a thermal energy utilization device; the reactor core is configured for heating a coolant, and the thermal energy utilization device is configured for absorbing heat in the coolant; the phase change energy storage device is provided at an inlet side of the reactor core, and configured for exchanging heat with the coolant, and a phase change temperature of the phase change energy storage device is consistent with a preset inlet temperature of the reactor core. The nuclear-energy storage integrated lead-based reactor has a natural circulation flow rate that is not easy to oscillate and diverge, the fuel assembly does not have the risk of overheating and melting, and the structural components are not easy to suffer from thermal fatigue, and it has high safety performance.

This invention discloses a computer apparatus whose instructions describe a process which analyzes system entropy flows, irreversible losses and Carnot reversibilities associated with heat exchangers used in thermal engines. Irreversible losses include those from shell and tube heat exchangers, and those from the shell-side of heat exchangers such as condensers. This disclosure teaches revision to the classic Carnot Engine resulting in an Exergetic Engine. The Exergetic Engine was created by recognizing true thermodynamic irreversibility associated with any heat exchanger is determined by the summation of its internal exergy flows. This leads to a correction of Sadi Carnot's T.sub.Hot. For the nuclear engine, his T.sub.Cold is redefined as a Fixed T.sub.Ref dependent on neutronic constants and reactor coolant properties. Correcting his 200 year-old teachings produce an irreversible loss and an Exergetic Reversibility applicable to any heat exchanger used in any thermal engine.

This invention discloses a computer apparatus whose instructions describe a process which analyzes system entropy flows, irreversible losses and Carnot reversibilities associated with heat exchangers used in thermal engines. Irreversible losses include those from shell and tube heat exchangers, and those from the shell-side of heat exchangers such as condensers. This disclosure teaches revision to the classic Carnot Engine resulting in an Exergetic Engine. The Exergetic Engine was created by recognizing true thermodynamic irreversibility associated with any heat exchanger is determined by the summation of its internal exergy flows. This leads to a correction of Sadi Carnot's T.sub.Hot. For the nuclear engine, his T.sub.Cold is redefined as a Fixed T.sub.Ref dependent on neutronic constants and reactor coolant properties. Correcting his 200 year-old teachings produce an irreversible loss and an Exergetic Reversibility applicable to any heat exchanger used in any thermal engine.