G21D3/08

Cooling medium generating apparatus using steam of nuclear power plant and cooling method therefor
10557627 · 2020-02-11 ·

The present invention relates to an apparatus for efficiently and economically generating a cooling medium by using high-temperature and high-pressure steam generated in a nuclear power plant, and cooling method therefor. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the cooling medium generating apparatus provided in a containment vessel of a nuclear power generation facility so as to generate the cooling medium can comprise: a nuclear reactor for heating a coolant by using heat included in the heated coolant; a cooling module for generating the cooling medium by using the steam generated in the steam generator; and a cooling medium supplying pipe of which the end portion is connected to the outside of the containment vessel so as to supply the cooling medium, having been generated in the cooling module, to the outside of the containment vessel.

FAULT TOLERANT TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
20200027595 · 2020-01-23 ·

A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

FAULT TOLERANT TURBINE SPEED CONTROL SYSTEM
20200027595 · 2020-01-23 ·

A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

Nuclear power generation system utilizing thermal expansion in metallic members to move a neutron reflector
10522259 · 2019-12-31 · ·

A nuclear power generation system being safe and easily controlled by load following. The nuclear power generation system has a nuclear reactor employing a load following control method. The reactor includes: a fuel assembly reactor core having metallic fuel containing at least one selected from uranium-235, uranium-238 and plutonium-239; a reactor vessel containing the reactor core; metallic sodium loaded into the reactor vessel and heated by the reactor core; and a neutron reflector for achieving criticality in the reactor core with effective multiplication factor of neutrons emitted from the reactor core being maintained at or above about 1. The neutron reflector is coupled to spring or spiral metallic members and utilizing heat deformation in the metallic members due to the temperature in coolant metallic sodium to control the fast neutron reflection efficiency of the neutron reflector.

Machine learning in fusion reactors

A method of controlling a plasma in a nuclear fusion reactor. The nuclear fusion reactor comprises sensors and plasma control inputs. An initial control model is provided, relating readings of at least a subset of the sensors to control of the plasma control inputs. A control loop is performed, comprising: operating the plasma control inputs in dependence upon the sensors according to the control model; determining correlations between readings of each of the sensors, and/or between readings of the sensors and states of the plasma control inputs; and adjusting the control model based on the determined correlations.

Machine learning in fusion reactors

A method of controlling a plasma in a nuclear fusion reactor. The nuclear fusion reactor comprises sensors and plasma control inputs. An initial control model is provided, relating readings of at least a subset of the sensors to control of the plasma control inputs. A control loop is performed, comprising: operating the plasma control inputs in dependence upon the sensors according to the control model; determining correlations between readings of each of the sensors, and/or between readings of the sensors and states of the plasma control inputs; and adjusting the control model based on the determined correlations.

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A PLURALITY OF NUCLEAR REACTORS

The invention relates to a device for controlling a plurality of nuclear reactors, comprising, for each nuclear reactor, a plurality of sensors for measuring operating parameters as well a system for controlling the nuclear reactor.

Fault tolerant turbine speed control system

A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

Fault tolerant turbine speed control system

A generator is installed on and provides electrical power from a turbine by converting the turbine's mechanical energy to electricity. The generated electrical power is used to power controls of the turbine so that the turbine can remain in use through its own energy. The turbine can be a safety-related turbine in a nuclear power plant, such that, through the generator, loss of plant power will not result in loss of use of the turbine and safety-related functions powered by the same. Appropriate circuitry and electrical connections condition the generator to work in tandem with any other power sources present, while providing electrical power with properties required to safely power the controls.

System for the highly autonomous operation of a modular liquid-metal reactor with steam cycle
10217536 · 2019-02-26 · ·

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.