Multistage annular linear induction pump for nuclear reactors

A nuclear reactor configured to be cooled via liquid metal circulation, the nuclear reactor comprising:

• a reactor pressure vessel;
• a reactor core within the reactor pressure vessel;
• and
• a multistage annular linear induction pump (ALIP) within the reactor pressure vessel, the multistage ALIP configured to circulate liquid metal coolant through a primary coolant flow path that includes the reactor core, the multistage ALIP including
• a pump casing having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction, the pump casing at least partially defining an interior of the multistage ALIP,
• concentric annular walls extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis and collectively defining a flow annulus extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis, and
• a plurality of induction coils within the interior of the multistage ALIP, each induction coil surrounding the longitudinal axis, the plurality of induction coils each having a central axis that is coaxial with the longitudinal axis, the plurality of induction coils spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, the plurality of induction coils including a plurality of sets of induction coils, the plurality of sets of induction coils at least partially defining separate, respective stages of a plurality of stages of the multistage ALIP, the plurality of sets of induction coils configured to be electrically connected to separate, respective polyphase power supplies of a plurality of polyphase power supplies, such that the plurality of stages are configured to be controlled independently of each other to adjustably control a flow of liquid metal coolant through the primary coolant flow path based on independent control of the plurality of polyphase power supplies.