US3678920A - Radioisotope heat source boiler for power generators - Google Patents
Radioisotope heat source boiler for power generators Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3678920A US3678920A US44804A US3678920DA US3678920A US 3678920 A US3678920 A US 3678920A US 44804 A US44804 A US 44804A US 3678920D A US3678920D A US 3678920DA US 3678920 A US3678920 A US 3678920A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- boiler
- vessel
- blocks
- accordance
- revolution
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 239000000110 cooling liquid Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000002285 radioactive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000013021 overheating Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N tungsten Chemical compound [W] WFKWXMTUELFFGS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 7
- GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-OUBTZVSYSA-N Cobalt-60 Chemical compound [60Co] GUTLYIVDDKVIGB-OUBTZVSYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000009835 boiling Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N uranium(0) Chemical compound [U] JFALSRSLKYAFGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M Ilexoside XXIX Chemical compound C[C@@H]1CC[C@@]2(CC[C@@]3(C(=CC[C@H]4[C@]3(CC[C@@H]5[C@@]4(CC[C@@H](C5(C)C)OS(=O)(=O)[O-])C)C)[C@@H]2[C@]1(C)O)C)C(=O)O[C@H]6[C@@H]([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O6)CO)O)O)O.[Na+] DGAQECJNVWCQMB-PUAWFVPOSA-M 0.000 claims description 3
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011491 glass wool Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- BITYAPCSNKJESK-UHFFFAOYSA-N potassiosodium Chemical compound [Na].[K] BITYAPCSNKJESK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052708 sodium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- CIOAGBVUUVVLOB-NJFSPNSNSA-N Strontium-90 Chemical compound [90Sr] CIOAGBVUUVVLOB-NJFSPNSNSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000009833 condensation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000005494 condensation Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002159 abnormal effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004794 expanded polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000446 fuel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052712 strontium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- CIOAGBVUUVVLOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N strontium atom Chemical compound [Sr] CIOAGBVUUVVLOB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21H—OBTAINING ENERGY FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES; APPLICATIONS OF RADIATION FROM RADIOACTIVE SOURCES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; UTILISING COSMIC RADIATION
- G21H1/00—Arrangements for obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources, e.g. from radioactive isotopes, nuclear or atomic batteries
Definitions
- ABSTRACT The boiler essentially comprises a vessel of revolution having an external heat-insulating covering and a radioisotope source which is housed within the vessel.
- the source is constituted on the one hand by two blocks of revolution formed of material which is capable of providing a good biological shield.
- a peripheral recess is formed in'each block in order to accorrrmodate a tightly-fitting annular member, said member being constructed of material having a radioactive absorption coefficient which is higher than that of the blocks.
- the source is constituted on the other hand by a charge of radioelements formed by a series of clad radioactive plates arranged in stacks.
- the complete radioisotope source unit is immersed in a cooling liquid.
- the top end-wall of the boiler proper constitutes the hermetic cover of the vessel.
- a safety member which is welded to the upper block and to the cover ensures falling of the vessel and of the radioisotope source in the event of dangerous overheating.
- Electric generators of the radioisotope source type can be divided according to their power ratings into microgenerators, medium-power generators and high-power generators.
- a known type of high-power electric generator comprises a converter which operates on the Rankine cycle and is supplied by a boiler in which the fuel is a radioisotope source formed of cobalt-60 pellets which have a double coating and are disposed at the center of a spherical tungsten shield.
- the boiler essentially comprises a vessel of revolution which is fabricated from stainless steel and provided with an external heat-insulating covering formed of a laminated structure of layers having low conductivity and reflecting layers, a radioisotope source housed within said vessel and constituted on the one hand by two blocks of revolution fabricated from a material which is capable of providing good biological protection and has good heat conductivity, said two blocks being placed at a small distance from each other within said vessel so that the axes of revolution thereof should coincide with the axis of said vessel and being each provided with a peripheral recess in which is tightly fitted an annular member formed of material having a radioactive absorption coefficient which is higher than that of said blocks and on the other hand by a charge of radioelements formed of a series of clad radioactive plates which are housed in the space between said blocks and have the shape of very flat discs whose end faces are oriented at right angles to the
- the laminated structure which forms the heat insulating covering of said vessel is composed, for example, of layers of glass wool and very thin aluminum sheets.
- the two blocks of revolution are formed of copper and the annular member which is adapted to fit in the peripheral recesses of said blocks is formed of depleted urani-
- the plates which constitute the charge of radioelements are advantageously formed of cobalt-60 and the cans of said plates are formed of stainless steel.
- the organic cooling liquid in which the radioisotope source unit is immersed is advantageously a diphenyl-diphenyloxide mixture in suitable proportions or alternatively liquid sodium or a liquid sodium-potassium mixture.
- FIGURE shows by way of non-limitative example and in axial vertical cross-section a radioisotope source boiler according to the invention which is mounted on a power generator.
- the boiler in accordance with the invention is essentially constituted by a vessel 1 of revolution having a heat-insulating covering in the form of a laminated structure 2, a radioisotope source constituted on the one hand by two blocks 3 and 4 of copper (or tungsten) provided with peripheral recesses in which are fitted an annular member 5 of depleted uranium (or tungsten) and a copper ring l4 made up of two sections and on the other hand by a charge of radioelements formed of a series of small plates 6 of cobalt-60 or strontium, for example, said plates being clad with stainless steel and arranged in stacks which are clamped between the blocks 3 and 4.
- the entire radioisotope source unit is immersed in a cooling liquid 7 such as diphenyl-diphenyloxide, for example.
- the boiler 8 proper has a top end-wall 9 which serves as a hermetic cover for the vessel 1.
- a safety plug 10 which is designed to melt at approximately 320C is welded to the vessel 1 and to the cover 9 of this latter and a safety member 15 which is designed to melt in the vicinity of 400C is welded to the block 3 and to the cover 9.
- the boiler unit according to the invention as hereinabove described and as shown in the figure is mounted beneath a power generator such as a high-power electric generator which does not specifically form part of the invention.
- Said electric generator which is shown very diagrammatically in the drawing comprises a converter formed of two stages containing different organic fluids which each flow in a Rankine cycle.
- the boiler of the first stage of said converter (namely the stage which has the highest temperature) is the above-mentioned boiler 8.
- the condenser of said boiler (not shown) constitutes the boiler of the second stage.
- the condenser of said second stage (reference 11) is self-cooled by means of the surrounding air.
- the complete converter unit is supported on the ground by means of standards 16 which are embedded in concrete blocks 17, provision being made beneath the boiler in accordance with the invention for a pit 18 which is covered with a glass plate 19. Finally, the two copper blocks 3 and 4, the annular member 5 and the ring 14 are maintained clamped together by means of tie-rods 20.
- the operation of the radioisotope source boiler in accordance with the invention takes place as follows.
- the small plates 6 are very flat discs and that the blocks 3 and 4 have substantially higher conductivity than the annular member 5
- practically the entire quantity of heat given off by said small plates is transmitted by conduction into the frusto-conical portion of the copper block 3 (as delimited in the figure by the chain-dotted line 21), then by boiling of the organic liquid 7 and then by condensation on the top endwall 9 of the boiler 8 proper.
- the emergency condenser 12 is put into communication at 13 with the top portion of the vessel 1. Condensation of the vapor which is produced by the organic liquid 7 is then carried out in said emergency condenser.
- the plug 10 melts and atmospheric pressure is then established within the vessel 1.
- the surrounding air ensures sufficient cooling by reason of the fact that the maximum permissible temperature of the small plates of cobalt-60 (reference 6) is of the order of 700C.
- the ultimate emergency measure consists in detaching the complete assembly of vessel 1 and heat insulation from the cover 9. To this end, if the temperature attains 400C, for example, the
- the radioisotope source boiler in accordance with the invention must be indestructible at the time of handling operations to which it may be subjected.
- impact resistance of the boiler in the event of any accident condition arising during transportation is provided by a protective cover or shell having an open structure which may be formed of expanded polystyrene, for example.
- a boiler for power generators and in particular for highpower electric generators wherein said boiler comprises a vessel of revolution which is fabricated from stainless steel and provided with an external heat-insulating covering formed of a laminated structure of layers having low conductivity and reflecting layers, a radioisotope source housed within said vessel and constituted on the one hand by two blocks of revolution fabricated from a material which is capable of providing good biological protection and has good heat conductivity, said two blocks being placed at a small distance from each other within said vessel so that the axes of revolution thereof should coincide with the axis of said vessel and being each provided with a peripheral recess in which is tightly fitted an annular member formed of material having a radioactive absorption coefficient which is higher than that of said blocks and on the other hand by a charge of radioelements formed of a series of clad radioactive plates which are housed in the space between said blocks and have the shape of very flat discs whose end faces are oriented at right angles to the axis of revolution of said blocks, said plates
- a boiler in accordance with claim 1, wherein said laminated structure is composed of layers of glass wool and very thin aluminum sheets.
- annular member is formed of depleted uranium.
- cooling liquid is a diphenyl-diphenyloxide mixture.
- cooling liquid is liquid sodium or a liquid sodium-potassium mixture.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
- Particle Accelerators (AREA)
- Vaporization, Distillation, Condensation, Sublimation, And Cold Traps (AREA)
- Physical Or Chemical Processes And Apparatus (AREA)
- Cookers (AREA)
- Structure Of Emergency Protection For Nuclear Reactors (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR6920188A FR2050551A5 (fr) | 1969-06-17 | 1969-06-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| US3678920A true US3678920A (en) | 1972-07-25 |
Family
ID=9035887
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| US44804A Expired - Lifetime US3678920A (en) | 1969-06-17 | 1970-06-09 | Radioisotope heat source boiler for power generators |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US3678920A (fr) |
| BE (1) | BE751652A (fr) |
| CH (1) | CH521004A (fr) |
| FR (1) | FR2050551A5 (fr) |
| GB (1) | GB1245386A (fr) |
| IL (1) | IL34696A (fr) |
| NL (1) | NL7008662A (fr) |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5080857A (en) * | 1989-09-19 | 1992-01-14 | General Electric Company | Passive lower drywell flooder |
| US5393487A (en) * | 1993-08-17 | 1995-02-28 | J & L Specialty Products Corporation | Steel alloy having improved creep strength |
| US5410577A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1995-04-25 | Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. | Core-melt source reduction system |
| US11250967B2 (en) * | 2018-06-14 | 2022-02-15 | Westinghouse Electric Company Llc | Method and apparatus for enhancing the electrical power output of a nuclear reactor power generation system |
| US11289236B2 (en) * | 2018-06-14 | 2022-03-29 | Westinghouse Electric Company Llc | Combination reactor gamma radiation power harvesting reactor power distribution measurement, and support to coolant freezing protection system for liquid metal and molten salt-cooled reactor systems |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2199279A (en) * | 1986-12-30 | 1988-07-06 | Nat Nuclear Corp Ltd | Storage of heat generating materials |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3171791A (en) * | 1959-12-23 | 1965-03-02 | Babcock & Wilcox Ltd | Nuclear reactor vapour generating plant |
| US3377993A (en) * | 1966-06-28 | 1968-04-16 | Atomic Energy Commission Usa | Radioisotope heat source with overheat protection |
-
1969
- 1969-06-17 FR FR6920188A patent/FR2050551A5/fr not_active Expired
-
1970
- 1970-06-05 CH CH843870A patent/CH521004A/fr not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1970-06-08 BE BE751652D patent/BE751652A/fr unknown
- 1970-06-09 US US44804A patent/US3678920A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1970-06-09 IL IL34696A patent/IL34696A/en unknown
- 1970-06-12 NL NL7008662A patent/NL7008662A/xx unknown
- 1970-06-17 GB GB29418/70A patent/GB1245386A/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3171791A (en) * | 1959-12-23 | 1965-03-02 | Babcock & Wilcox Ltd | Nuclear reactor vapour generating plant |
| US3377993A (en) * | 1966-06-28 | 1968-04-16 | Atomic Energy Commission Usa | Radioisotope heat source with overheat protection |
Cited By (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5080857A (en) * | 1989-09-19 | 1992-01-14 | General Electric Company | Passive lower drywell flooder |
| US5393487A (en) * | 1993-08-17 | 1995-02-28 | J & L Specialty Products Corporation | Steel alloy having improved creep strength |
| US5410577A (en) * | 1993-11-04 | 1995-04-25 | Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. | Core-melt source reduction system |
| US11250967B2 (en) * | 2018-06-14 | 2022-02-15 | Westinghouse Electric Company Llc | Method and apparatus for enhancing the electrical power output of a nuclear reactor power generation system |
| US11289236B2 (en) * | 2018-06-14 | 2022-03-29 | Westinghouse Electric Company Llc | Combination reactor gamma radiation power harvesting reactor power distribution measurement, and support to coolant freezing protection system for liquid metal and molten salt-cooled reactor systems |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE2029820B2 (de) | 1972-06-22 |
| IL34696A (en) | 1973-04-30 |
| GB1245386A (en) | 1971-09-08 |
| DE2029820A1 (de) | 1971-01-07 |
| NL7008662A (fr) | 1970-12-21 |
| BE751652A (fr) | 1970-11-16 |
| FR2050551A5 (fr) | 1971-04-02 |
| IL34696A0 (en) | 1970-08-19 |
| CH521004A (fr) | 1972-03-31 |
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