ENERGY SOURCE

Abstract

An energy source using low-enriched nuclear fuel to produce heat contains a compact transportable pressure vessel containing a cylinder with the core with heating element formed by nuclear fuel and continually agitated by a directed flow of heat-exchange liquid, to which a second pressure vessel is connected with a closed water bath circuit and a heat exchanger for production of steam, while the compact transportable pressure vessel can be placed in a space selected from the group underground concrete space with stainless steel lining, sea-river vessel and container modification for road and/or railway transport.

Claims

1. An energy source using low-enriched nuclear fuel to produce heat, comprising a compact transportable pressure vessel containing a cylinder with the core with heating element formed by nuclear fuel and continually agitated by a directed flow of heat-exchange liquid, to which a second pressure vessel is connected with a closed water bath circuit and a heat exchanger f for production of steam, while the compact transportable pressure vessel can be placed in a space selected from the group underground concrete space with stainless steel lining, sea-river vessel and container modification for road and/or railway transport.

2. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein the heat-exchange liquid contains boric acid.

3. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein after the heat exchanger there is condenser and/or turbine with three-phase generator (11).

4. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein it is equipped with a temperature meter in the core with diamond-based sensors.

5. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein a bottom (6) of the pressure vessel is filled with lead as a protective element for an unforeseen accident.

6. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein it is equipped with another information parameter for application software ensuring safe operation for the entire period of the anticipated replacement of the heating element.

7. The energy source according to claim 1, wherein it is equipped with a double protection of the utility steam against any radiation contamination.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The energy source according to this technical solution will be further described on specific examples using the attached drawings, where

[0012] FIG. 1 shows its schematic outline, and

[0013] FIG. 2 its ground plan.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] An example energy source using low-enriched nuclear fuel as a heat source consists of or comprises a compact transportable pressure vessel 3, which contains a core 1 with nuclear fuel 4, while the refueling can be performed only at a dedicated workplace. In the overall concept of the energy source (EZ), this part practically forms a heating element 5 (TT) with a continuously agitated heat exchange liquid, which may be in the form of boric acid. The internal flow of the liquid is directed and thus ensures the cooling of the cylinder 2, which at the same time serves as a shield against free neutrons and prevents accelerated degradation of the material of the pressure vessel 3. Compact transportable pressure vessel 3 can be placed in a space selected from the group underground concrete space with stainless steel lining, sea-river vessel and container modification for road and/or railway transport. The bottom 6 of the pressure vessel 3 is filled with lead as a protective element for an unforeseen accident.

[0015] From the above pressure vessel 3, the heat created by the nuclear core fission process is transferred through the steel wall to the other pressure vessel with a closed water bath circuit, where the water heated by the described process if forced by pump 8 into the heat exchanger 7, where the transferred heat is used in the standard way to produce steam for production of electric power in the turbine 10 with a three-phase generator 11, or for production of utility heat in the standard way with condenser 9. This heating method ensures double separation of radioactive fuel from the utility steam.

[0016] The energy source is equipped with a temperature meter in the core with diamond-based sensors.

[0017] The energy source is equipped with another information parameter for application software ensuring safe operation for the entire period of the anticipated replacement of the heating element 5.

[0018] The heating element 5 is transported to the core 1 dismantling place in a transport container 12.

[0019] All parts are from the same steels that are used for nuclear devices of type VVER 440 MW and VVER 1000 MW

[0020] The energy source according to this technical solution will find application primarily as a backup power source in municipal energy industry, in the production of electricity and heat, as a stable ecological source of heat and energy.