Reaction Cooling System

About

Passive endothermic reaction cooling system percs ID:  2016-020 Principal Investigator:  Matt Memmott An emergency heat removal system that can be retrofitted to currently operating nuclear power plants. This system provides emergency core and containment cooling for up to 30 days with no need for process control, electrical input, operator action, or mechanical actuation. The cooling is provided via a tank filled with two chemicals that will undergo an endothermic chemical reaction when a certain temperature is achieved. This endothermic reaction, once initiated, absorbs the decay heat generated by the nuclear core. The reaction will slow/stop when no additional heat is provided, so there is no need for initiation or termination of the process. In other words, the system will automatically begin coolinig the nuclear reactor when elevated temperatures are present, and will stop when excess temperatures are no longer present. About the Market: This invention can be applied in two broad areas: 1. Incorporated into Future Light Weight Reactor (LWR) nuclear power plants as a means of removing decay heat in case of catastophic event or severe accident. It can supplant more expensive systsems while providing a similar cost, thus decreasing the capital investment required. 2. Retrofitted to existing and currently operating nuclear power plants. This sytem is significantly less lexpensive and more reliable than alternative methods for increasing the safety of these plants in teh case of catastophic events (FLEX systems).