Back to results
US 12,444,512 B2Granted
Modular core molten salt nuclear reactor
AssigneeThorizon Holding B.V.
InventorsSander De Groot, Lucas Marius Pool
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A nuclear reactor circuit contains nuclear fuel-containing molten salt in a channel which is substantially vertically arranged and provides an up-down passage. A modular reactor has removable, individual molten salt nuclear circuits. The channel of one circuit contains a non-critical amount of nuclear material, but the channels together create the critical zone of the reactor core. A method of operating a modular nuclear reactor circuit and a nuclear reactor include the use of the circuits.
Claims16
A nuclear reactor comprising
- a core area and a shell area;
- a plurality of separate and individual nuclear reactor circuits, each circuit comprising:
- a containment;
- a loop comprising a liquid comprising a nuclear fuel comprising molten salt,
- wherein the loop comprises a channel that is arranged in a substantial vertical arrangement within the containment, wherein the channel provides an up-and-down passage for the liquid in the loop,
- wherein each of the channels of the plurality of circuits is arranged in the core area,
- wherein each separate and individual nuclear reactor circuit is independently replaceable from the nuclear reactor while maintaining a capability to contain the liquid, and
- wherein the containment has a sidewall with an inner surface spaced from the loop.
5 more elements
A nuclear reactor, comprising:
- a core area and a shell area;
- a plurality of separate and individual nuclear reactor circuits, each circuit containing molten salts and comprising:
- a containment;
- a loop, wherein the loop contains a liquid comprising a nuclear fuel comprising the molten salts,
- wherein the loop contains a channel that is arranged in a substantial vertical arrangement within the containment, wherein the channel provides an up-and-down passage for the liquid in the loop,
- wherein each of the channels of the plurality of circuits is arranged in the core area, and
- wherein each separate and individual nuclear reactor circuit is independently replaceable from the nuclear reactor,
- wherein each separate and individual nuclear reactor circuit is movable relative to the core so as to be independently removable from the nuclear reactor, and
- wherein the containment has a sidewall with an inner surface spaced from the loop.
6 more elements
A nuclear reactor, comprising:
- a core area and a shell area;
- a plurality of separate and individual nuclear reactor circuits, each circuit containing molten salts and comprising:
- a containment;
- a loop, wherein the loop contains a liquid comprising a nuclear fuel comprising the molten salts,
- wherein the loop comprises a channel that is arranged in a substantial vertical arrangement within the containment, wherein the channel provides an up-and-down passage for the liquid in the loop,
- wherein each of the channels of the plurality of circuits is arranged in the core area,
- wherein each separate and individual nuclear reactor circuit is independently replaceable from the nuclear reactor in a single piece, and
- wherein the containment has a sidewall with an inner surface spaced from the loop.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.