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 nuclear reactor is configured with a primary coolant loop for transferring heat away from the nuclear reactor core. In a shutdown event, the primary coolant pump may stop pumping primary coolant through the reactor core, resulting in decay heat buildup within the reactor core. An inertial energy coast down system can store kinetic energy while the nuclear reactor is operating and then release the stored kinetic energy to cause the primary coolant to continue to flow through the nuclear reactor core to remove decay heat. The inertial energy coast down system may include an impeller and a flywheel having a mass. During normal reactor operation, the flowing primary coolant spins up the impeller and flywheel, and upon a shutdown event where the primary coolant pump stops pumping, the flywheel and impeller can cause the primary coolant to continue to flow during a coast down of the flywheel and impeller.

A nuclear reactor is configured with a primary coolant loop for transferring heat away from the nuclear reactor core. In a shutdown event, the primary coolant pump may stop pumping primary coolant through the reactor core, resulting in decay heat buildup within the reactor core. An inertial energy coast down system can store kinetic energy while the nuclear reactor is operating and then release the stored kinetic energy to cause the primary coolant to continue to flow through the nuclear reactor core to remove decay heat. The inertial energy coast down system may include an impeller and a flywheel having a mass. During normal reactor operation, the flowing primary coolant spins up the impeller and flywheel, and upon a shutdown event where the primary coolant pump stops pumping, the flywheel and impeller can cause the primary coolant to continue to flow during a coast down of the flywheel and impeller.

Provided are a magnetic field device that can efficiently drive molten metal with a large driving force, and a method of driving molten metal using the magnetic field device. A magnetic field device 1 according to an embodiment includes a rotating body 2 to be driven to rotate around a central axis, a magnet 3 fixed on the rotating body 2 and having an upper surface magnetized to N pole, and a magnet 4 fixed on the rotating body 2 and having an upper surface magnetized to S pole, the magnet 3 and the magnet 4 being arranged opposite each other to form a groove G that is longer in length than in width.

Provided are a magnetic field device that can efficiently drive molten metal with a large driving force, and a method of driving molten metal using the magnetic field device. A magnetic field device 1 according to an embodiment includes a rotating body 2 to be driven to rotate around a central axis, a magnet 3 fixed on the rotating body 2 and having an upper surface magnetized to N pole, and a magnet 4 fixed on the rotating body 2 and having an upper surface magnetized to S pole, the magnet 3 and the magnet 4 being arranged opposite each other to form a groove G that is longer in length than in width.

Electromagnetic pumps pump coolant through plural paths in the pump with magnetic fields. The paths are next to components that overheat, so as to pull heat from the same into the coolant fluid being pumped. The paths may run at different or opposite dimensions of the components, to provide unique heat sinking paths and reduce temperature gradients and excursions in the components. Paths may be nested annuli, loops, or entirely distinct vertical passages around the components. Electromagnetic pumps may be used in nuclear power plants to drive magnetic fluids. The pumps may operate immersed in melted metals at several hundred degrees Celsius in an operating reactor without overheating or degradation of their electrical and insulating components.

The compact annular linear pump has a duct, with an inlet and an outlet, positioned to surround an inner core. The duct has a fluid with paramagnetic properties disposed within it. Surrounding the duct is a stator having a first end and a second end. The stator has a plurality of slots that is divisible by three. There is a tooth at each end of the stator and between each slot. There is an electromagnetic circuit with three conductors wired in series disposed within the stator. Within each slot is a coil. Each of the three conductors travel through the stator by alternating through pairs of slots, each coil belonging to a single conductor and alternating conductors every third coil pair. The fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet by application of a current generator to the electromagnetic circuit creating a magnetic flux.

The compact annular linear pump has a duct, with an inlet and an outlet, positioned to surround an inner core. The duct has a fluid with paramagnetic properties disposed within it. Surrounding the duct is a stator having a first end and a second end. The stator has a plurality of slots that is divisible by three. There is a tooth at each end of the stator and between each slot. There is an electromagnetic circuit with three conductors wired in series disposed within the stator. Within each slot is a coil. Each of the three conductors travel through the stator by alternating through pairs of slots, each coil belonging to a single conductor and alternating conductors every third coil pair. The fluid travels from the inlet to the outlet by application of a current generator to the electromagnetic circuit creating a magnetic flux.

An electromagnetic pump (EMP) for a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes a pump casing, concentric inner and outer flow ducts collectively defining a flow annulus extending coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the EMP, and induction coils configured to control the flow of liquid metal coolant through the flow annulus based on electrical power received from the power supply. At least one of the inner flow duct or the outer flow duct includes a gamma shielding material configured to block gamma rays from entering an interior of the EMP from the flow annulus. The pump casing may include a neutron absorber material configured to absorb neutrons entering the pump casing from an exterior of the EMP. The EMP may include a neutron moderator material on an outer surface of the pump casing and configured to moderate neutrons entering the pump casing to be absorbed by the neutron absorber material.

An electromagnetic pump (EMP) for a liquid metal-cooled nuclear reactor includes a pump casing, concentric inner and outer flow ducts collectively defining a flow annulus extending coaxially with a longitudinal axis of the EMP, and induction coils configured to control the flow of liquid metal coolant through the flow annulus based on electrical power received from the power supply. At least one of the inner flow duct or the outer flow duct includes a gamma shielding material configured to block gamma rays from entering an interior of the EMP from the flow annulus. The pump casing may include a neutron absorber material configured to absorb neutrons entering the pump casing from an exterior of the EMP. The EMP may include a neutron moderator material on an outer surface of the pump casing and configured to moderate neutrons entering the pump casing to be absorbed by the neutron absorber material.