Methods and apparatus for moving a molten metal are provided in which the electromagnetic inductor includes at least two pairs of electromagnetic pole pairs and in which a first magnetic field component is generated between one pole in a first electromagnetic pole pair and a second pole in a different electromagnetic pole pair, and in which a second magnetic field component is generated between the two poles in one or more electromagnetic pole pairs, the second magnetic field component thereby generating one or more eddy currents in the molten metal. Those eddy currents are generally parallel to the surface of the molten metal and so have greater magnitude and extent that eddy currents perpendicular to the surface. Such eddy currents provide useful additional movement to the molten metal, for instance for stirring purposes, particularly when the depth of molten metal is small.

Methods and apparatus for moving a molten metal are provided in which the electromagnetic inductor includes at least two pairs of electromagnetic pole pairs and in which a first magnetic field component is generated between one pole in a first electromagnetic pole pair and a second pole in a different electromagnetic pole pair, and in which a second magnetic field component is generated between the two poles in one or more electromagnetic pole pairs, the second magnetic field component thereby generating one or more eddy currents in the molten metal. Those eddy currents are generally parallel to the surface of the molten metal and so have greater magnitude and extent that eddy currents perpendicular to the surface. Such eddy currents provide useful additional movement to the molten metal, for instance for stirring purposes, particularly when the depth of molten metal is small.

An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes at least two input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive an alternating current into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to direct the alternating current to induce motion in the plasma. The apparatus also includes at least two output electrodes extending from the chamber. The output electrodes are configured to conduct a direct current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.

An apparatus and corresponding systems and methods for managing electric power, particularly a transformer system and method. An example apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain plasma. The apparatus includes at least two input electrodes disposed at least partially within the chamber, and configured to receive an alternating current into the chamber. The input electrodes are configured to direct the alternating current to induce motion in the plasma. The apparatus also includes at least two output electrodes extending from the chamber. The output electrodes are configured to conduct a direct current, from the induced motion in the plasma, for delivery from the chamber.

A curvilinear electromagnetic pump is configured to follow a curve, such as by coupling multiple linear pump segments together that are offset by an angle with respect to each other. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump can curve within two dimensions, or within three dimensions. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump allows for more efficient arrangement of components and systems within a nuclear reactor vessel and allows a significantly reduced reactor vessel height as compared to a linear pump arranged vertically. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump may follow the curvature of the reactor vessel wall and may be entirely disposed near the bottom of the reactor vessel.

A curvilinear electromagnetic pump is configured to follow a curve, such as by coupling multiple linear pump segments together that are offset by an angle with respect to each other. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump can curve within two dimensions, or within three dimensions. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump allows for more efficient arrangement of components and systems within a nuclear reactor vessel and allows a significantly reduced reactor vessel height as compared to a linear pump arranged vertically. The curvilinear electromagnetic pump may follow the curvature of the reactor vessel wall and may be entirely disposed near the bottom of the reactor vessel.

A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of the control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing the opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A cartridge core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The cartridge core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head, and any movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core, thus inhibiting the opportunity for differential movement.

A nuclear reactor is designed to couple the load path of the control elements with the reactor core, thus reducing the opportunity for differential movement between the control elements and the reactor core. A cartridge core barrel can be fabricated in a manufacturing facility to include the reactor core, control element supports, and control element drive system. The cartridge core barrel can be mounted to a reactor vessel head, and any movement, such as through seismic forces, transmits an equal direction and magnitude to the control elements and the reactor core, thus inhibiting the opportunity for differential movement.

An apparatus having a flow cell having a first port and a second port allowing for flow of an aqueous salt solution in a flow direction from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port; a first electrode positioned to be in contact with the aqueous salt solution; a second electrode positioned to be in contact with the aqueous salt solution and in an electrode direction from the first electrode that is orthogonal to the flow direction; and a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field in a magnetic direction that is orthogonal to the flow direction and orthogonal to the electrode direction. The electrodes may be charge-storage electrodes.

An apparatus having a flow cell having a first port and a second port allowing for flow of an aqueous salt solution in a flow direction from the first port to the second port or from the second port to the first port; a first electrode positioned to be in contact with the aqueous salt solution; a second electrode positioned to be in contact with the aqueous salt solution and in an electrode direction from the first electrode that is orthogonal to the flow direction; and a magnetic field generator that generates a magnetic field in a magnetic direction that is orthogonal to the flow direction and orthogonal to the electrode direction. The electrodes may be charge-storage electrodes.