US20200049030A1 - Autonomous self-powered system for removing thermal energy from pools of liquid heated by radioactive materials, and method of the same - Google Patents
Autonomous self-powered system for removing thermal energy from pools of liquid heated by radioactive materials, and method of the same Download PDFInfo
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- US20200049030A1 US20200049030A1 US16/592,765 US201916592765A US2020049030A1 US 20200049030 A1 US20200049030 A1 US 20200049030A1 US 201916592765 A US201916592765 A US 201916592765A US 2020049030 A1 US2020049030 A1 US 2020049030A1
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- working fluid
- liquid
- pool
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- heat exchange
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
- F01K—STEAM ENGINE PLANTS; STEAM ACCUMULATORS; ENGINE PLANTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ENGINES USING SPECIAL WORKING FLUIDS OR CYCLES
- F01K25/00—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for
- F01K25/08—Plants or engines characterised by use of special working fluids, not otherwise provided for; Plants operating in closed cycles and not otherwise provided for using special vapours
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F22—STEAM GENERATION
- F22B—METHODS OF STEAM GENERATION; STEAM BOILERS
- F22B1/00—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method
- F22B1/02—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers
- F22B1/16—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being hot liquid or hot vapour, e.g. waste liquid, waste vapour
- F22B1/162—Methods of steam generation characterised by form of heating method by exploitation of the heat content of hot heat carriers the heat carrier being hot liquid or hot vapour, e.g. waste liquid, waste vapour in combination with a nuclear installation
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28B—STEAM OR VAPOUR CONDENSERS
- F28B1/00—Condensers in which the steam or vapour is separate from the cooling medium by walls, e.g. surface condenser
- F28B1/06—Condensers in which the steam or vapour is separate from the cooling medium by walls, e.g. surface condenser using air or other gas as the cooling medium
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D15/00—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies
- F28D15/02—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes
- F28D15/0266—Heat-exchange apparatus with the intermediate heat-transfer medium in closed tubes passing into or through the conduit walls ; Heat-exchange apparatus employing intermediate heat-transfer medium or bodies in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes with separate evaporating and condensing chambers connected by at least one conduit; Loop-type heat pipes; with multiple or common evaporating or condensing chambers
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
- F28D7/16—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation
- F28D7/1607—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation with particular pattern of flow of the heat exchange media, e.g. change of flow direction
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D7/00—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall
- F28D7/16—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation
- F28D7/163—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with assemblies of conduits having different geometrical features; with multiple groups of conduits connected in series or parallel and arranged inside common casing
- F28D7/1669—Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary tubular conduit assemblies for both heat-exchange media, the media being in contact with different sides of a conduit wall the conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with assemblies of conduits having different geometrical features; with multiple groups of conduits connected in series or parallel and arranged inside common casing the conduit assemblies having an annular shape; the conduits being assembled around a central distribution tube
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28F—DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION
- F28F1/00—Tubular elements; Assemblies of tubular elements
- F28F1/10—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses
- F28F1/12—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element
- F28F1/14—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally
- F28F1/16—Tubular elements and assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only outside the tubular element and extending longitudinally the means being integral with the element, e.g. formed by extrusion
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- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
- G21C15/24—Promoting flow of the coolant
- G21C15/243—Promoting flow of the coolant for liquids
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
- G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
- G21C19/08—Means for heating fuel elements before introduction into the core; Means for heating or cooling fuel elements after removal from the core
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
- F28D2021/0028—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for cooling heat generating elements, e.g. for cooling electronic components or electric devices
- F28D2021/0031—Radiators for recooling a coolant of cooling systems
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F28—HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL
- F28D—HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT
- F28D21/00—Heat-exchange apparatus not covered by any of the groups F28D1/00 - F28D20/00
- F28D2021/0019—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for
- F28D2021/0061—Other heat exchangers for particular applications; Heat exchange systems not otherwise provided for for phase-change applications
- F28D2021/0064—Vaporizers, e.g. evaporators
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C15/00—Cooling arrangements within the pressure vessel containing the core; Selection of specific coolants
- G21C15/18—Emergency cooling arrangements; Removing shut-down heat
- G21C15/182—Emergency cooling arrangements; Removing shut-down heat comprising powered means, e.g. pumps
- G21C15/185—Emergency cooling arrangements; Removing shut-down heat comprising powered means, e.g. pumps using energy stored in reactor system
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21C—NUCLEAR REACTORS
- G21C19/00—Arrangements for treating, for handling, or for facilitating the handling of, fuel or other materials which are used within the reactor, e.g. within its pressure vessel
- G21C19/02—Details of handling arrangements
- G21C19/06—Magazines for holding fuel elements or control elements
- G21C19/07—Storage racks; Storage pools
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E30/00—Energy generation of nuclear origin
- Y02E30/30—Nuclear fission reactors
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to systems and methods of removing thermal energy from pools of liquid, and specifically to systems and methods of removing thermal energy from spent nuclear fuel pools that are self-powered and autonomous.
- the spent fuel pool (SFP) in a nuclear power plant serves to store used spent nuclear fuel discharged from the reactor in a deep pool (approximately 40 feet deep) of water.
- the decay heat produced by the spent nuclear fuel is removed from the SFP by circulating the pool water through a heat exchanger (referred to as the Fuel Pool Cooler) using a hydraulic pump.
- the Fuel Pool Cooler the pool water rejects heat to a cooling medium which is circulated using another set of pumps. Subsequent to it's cooling in the Fuel Pool cooler, the pool water is also purified by passing it through a bed of demineralizers before returning it to the pool.
- the present invention introduces a heat removal system and method that does not require an external source of electric energy or equipment that can be rendered ineffective by an extreme environmental phenomenon such as a tsunami, hurricane, earthquake and the like.
- An autonomous and self-powered system of cooling a pool of liquid in which radioactive materials are immersed is presented.
- the inventive system utilizes a closed-loop fluid circuit through which a low boiling point working fluid flows.
- the closed-loop fluid circuit of the inventive system in accordance with the Rankine Cycle: (1) extracts thermal energy from the liquid of the pool into the working fluid; (2) converts a first portion of the extracted thermal energy into electrical energy that is used to power one or more forced flow units that induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and (3) transfers a second portion of the extracted thermal energy to a secondary fluid, such as air.
- a secondary fluid such as air
- the invention can be an autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials, the system comprising: a pool at least partially filled with a liquid and radioactive materials immersed in the liquid; a closed-loop fluid circuit comprising a working fluid having a boiling temperature that is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid, the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluid coupling, an evaporative heat exchanger at least partially immersed in the liquid, a turbogenerator, and a condenser; one or more forced flow units operably coupled to the closed-loop fluid circuit to induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and the closed-loop fluid circuit converting thermal energy extracted from the liquid of the pool into electrical energy that powers the one or more forced flow units; wherein the evaporative heat exchanger comprises: a top header, a bottom header, a downcomer tube defining a first passageway between the top and bottom headers, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes each forming a second passageway between the top and
- the invention can be a vertical evaporative heat exchanger for immersion in a heated fluid comprising: a tubeside fluid circuit comprising: a top header; a bottom header; a core tube forming a downcomer passageway between the top header and the bottom header, the core tube having a first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity; a plurality of heat exchange tubes forming passageways between the bottom header and the top header, the plurality of the heat exchange tubes having a second effective coefficient of thermal conductivity that is greater than the first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity; a working fluid in the tubeside fluid circuit; an inlet for introducing a liquid phase of the working fluid into the tubeside fluid circuit; an outlet for allowing a vapor phase of the working fluid to exit the top header; and wherein transfer of heat from the heated fluid to the working fluid induces a thermosiphon flow of the liquid phase of the working fluid within the tubeside fluid circuit.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic of an autonomous self-powered cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic of an evaporative heat exchanger for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is an induced air-flow air cooled condenser for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a natural draft air cooled condenser for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5A is perspective view of the heat exchange tube bundle of the natural draft air cooled condenser of FIG. 4 ;
- FIG. 5B is a close-up view of area V-V of FIG. 5A ;
- FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-section of finned heat exchange tube for use in the evaporative heat exchanger of FIG. 2 and/or the air cooled condensers of FIGS. 3 and 4 .
- FIGS. 1-6 The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. While the invention is exemplified in FIGS. 1-6 as being used to cool pools of liquid in which radioactive materials are immersed (such as spent nuclear fuel, high level radioactive waste or low level radioactive waste), the invention is not so limited and can be used to cool any body of liquid in need of cooling.
- radioactive materials such as spent nuclear fuel, high level radioactive waste or low level radioactive waste
- the autonomous self-powered cooling system 1000 generally comprises a closed-loop fluid circuit 100 , an electrical circuit 200 , and a pool of liquid 50 .
- Radioactive materials 20 are immersed in the pool of liquid 50 , which in the exemplified embodiment is a spent fuel pool.
- Radioactive materials 20 such as spent nuclear fuel, generate a substantial amount of heat for a considerable amount of time after completion of a useful cycle in a nuclear reactor.
- the radioactive materials 20 are immersed in the pool of liquid 50 to cool the radioactive materials 20 to temperatures suitable for dry storage.
- radioactive materials 20 are spent nuclear fuel rods
- said spent nuclear fuel rods will be supported in the pool of liquid 50 in fuel racks located at the bottom of the pool of liquid 50 and resting on the floor.
- suitable fuel racks are disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0260088, entitled Apparatus and Method for Supporting Fuel Assemblies in an Underwater Environment Having Lateral Access Loading, published on Oct. 23, 2008, and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0175404, entitled Apparatus or Supporting Radioactive Fuel Assemblies and Methods of Manufcturing the Same, published on Jul. 9, 2009, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- thermal energy from the radioactive materials 20 is transferred to the pool of liquid 50 , thereby heating the pool of liquid 50 and cooling the radioactive materials.
- thermal energy must be removed from the pool of liquid 50 to maintain the temperature of the pool of liquid 50 within an acceptable range so that adequate cooling of the radioactive materials 20 can be continued.
- the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 extends through the pool of liquid 50 .
- a working fluid 75 is flowed through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 .
- the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 extracts thermal energy from the pool of liquid 50 (into the working fluid 75 ) and converts the extracted thermal energy into electrical energy.
- the electrical energy generated by said conversion powers the electrical circuit 200 , which in turn powers forced flow units 190 , 151 (described below) that induce flow of the working fluid 75 ( FIG. 2 ) through the closed-loop circuit 100 .
- the aforementioned extraction and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy is accomplished by the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 in accordance with the Rankine Cycle.
- the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 can accomplish the extraction and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy in accordance with the Organic Rankine Cycle.
- the working fluid 75 is preferably a low boiling-point fluid (relative to the liquid 50 of the pool). More specifically, the working fluid 75 is selected so that it has a boiling temperature that is less than the boiling temperature of the liquid 50 of the pool. It is appreciated that the temperature at which a liquid boils/evaporates is dependent on pressure and that the liquid 50 of the pool and the working fluid 75 may be subject to different pressures in certain embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, as discussed in greater detail below, the working fluid 75 is evaporated/boiled in an evaporative heat exchanger 110 that is immersed in the pool of liquid 50 .
- the liquid 50 of the pool will be under a first pressure and the working fluid 75 in the evaporative heat exchanger 110 will be under a second pressure that is greater than first pressure.
- the working fluid 75 is selected so that the boiling temperature of the working fluid 75 at the second pressure is less than the boiling temperature of the liquid 50 of the pool at the first pressure.
- the first pressure will be atmospheric pressure and the second pressure will be in a range of 250 psia to 400 psia.
- the liquid 50 of the pool is water.
- water includes borated water, demineralized water and other forms of treated water or water with additives.
- Suitable working fluids 75 include, without limitation, refrigerants. Suitable refrigerants may include, without limitation, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, haloalkanes, and hydrocarbons.
- refrigerants may include, without limitation, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, haloalkanes, and hydrocarbons.
- One particularly suitable refrigerant that can be used as the working fluid 75 is tetraflouroethane, commonly known as HFC-134a.
- the exemplified embodiment of the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 generally comprise an evaporative heat exchanger 110 , a turbogenerator 130 , a condenser 150 , a working fluid reservoir 170 , and a hydraulic pump 190 .
- the aforementioned components 110 , 130 , 150 , 170 , 190 of the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 are operably and fluidly coupled together using appropriate piping, joints and fittings as is well-known in the art to form a fluid-tight closed-loop through which the working fluid 75 can flow through in both a liquid phase 75 A and a vapor phase 75 B.
- the working fluid 75 is in the liquid phase 75 A between a working fluid outlet 153 of the condenser 150 and a working fluid inlet 111 of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 .
- the working fluid 75 is in the vapor phase 75 B between a working fluid outlet 112 of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 and a working fluid inlet 152 of the condenser 150 .
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 which is immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool, converts the working fluid 75 from the liquid phase 75 A to the vapor phase 75 B by transferring thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool into the working fluid 75 .
- the condenser 150 converts the working fluid 75 from the vapor phase 75 B to the liquid phase 75 A by transferring thermal energy from the working fluid 75 into a secondary fluid (which can be air that is rejected to the environment in certain embodiments).
- the autonomous self-powered system 1000 further comprises two forced flow units that induce flow of the working fluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 , namely the hydraulic pump 190 (which is considered part of the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 ) and a blower 151 which, when operated, forces cooling air to flow over heat exchange tubes 154 (as shown in FIG. 6 ) of the condenser 150 .
- the hydraulic pump 190 directly induces flow of the working fluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 by drawing the liquid-phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 from the working fluid reservoir 170 and forcing the liquid-phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 into the evaporative heat exchanger 110 .
- the blower 151 indirectly induces flow of the working fluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 by increasing air flow over the heat exchange tubes 154 of the condenser 150 (the working fluid 75 being the tubeside fluid in the condenser 150 ), thereby increasing the extraction of thermal energy from the working fluid 75 in the condenser 150 and promoting increased condensation and a thermo-siphon flow effect of the working fluid 75 .
- more or less forced flow units can be incorporated into the autonomous self-powered system 1000 as desired.
- the blower 151 may be omitted while, in certain other embodiments, the hydraulic pump 90 may be omitted.
- the condenser 50 were a natural draft air-cooled condenser (see FIGS. 4-5B ), the blower 151 may be omitted.
- a hydraulic pump that is used to force flow of the secondary fluid through the condenser 50 can be a forced flow unit.
- both the hydraulic pump 190 and the blower 151 are operably and electrically coupled to the electrical circuit 200 , which is powered solely by the electrical energy generated by the turbogenerator 130 (discussed in greater detail below).
- the autonomous self-powered system 1000 can operate to cool the liquid 50 of the pool for an indefinite period of time and completely independent of any outside sources of electrical energy, other than that electrical energy that is generated through the conversion of the thermal energy extracted from the liquid 50 of the pool. Stated simply, the thermal energy of the liquid 50 of the pool is the sole source of energy required to drive the cooling system 1000 .
- the working fluid reservoir 170 stores an amount of the liquid phase 75 a of the working fluid 75 to charge and control the quantity of the working fluid 75 in the thermal cycle at start up.
- the working fluid reservoir 170 also provides the means to evacuate the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 of air and to fill the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 with the required amount of the working fluid 75 .
- the working fluid reservoir 170 is needed only at the beginning of the system operation (start up) to insure that the proper quantity of the working fluid 75 is injected into the thermal cycle.
- the hydraulic pump 190 is located downstream of the working fluid reservoir 170 in the exemplified embodiment. However, in alternate embodiments, the hydraulic pump 190 can be located upstream of the working fluid reservoir 170 .
- the hydraulic pump 190 draws the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 from the working fluid reservoir 170 , thereby drawing the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 into the working fluid inlet 191 of the hydraulic pump 190 .
- the hydraulic pump 190 operates, the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 is expelled from the working fluid outlet 192 of the hydraulic pump under pressure. The expelled liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 is forced into the evaporative heat exchanger 110 via the working fluid inlet 111 of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 .
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is at least partially immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool so that thermal energy from liquid 50 can be transferred to the working fluid 70 while in the evaporative heat exchanger 110 .
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is full immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool.
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is located at a top of the pool of liquid 50 , which tends to be hotter than the bottom of the pool of liquid 50 due to temperature differentials in the liquid 50 (hot fluids rise).
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is mounted to one of the sidewalls 55 of the pool of liquid 50 so that the evaporative heat exchanger 110 does not interfere with loading and unloading operations that take place within the pool of liquid 50 for the radioactive materials 20 .
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 generally comprises a core tube 113 (which acts as a downcomer tube in the exemplified embodiment), a plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 , a working fluid bottom header 115 , and a working fluid top header 116 , which collectively define a tubeside fluid circuit.
- the working fluid bottom header 115 comprises a bottom tube sheet 117 while the working fluid top header 116 comprises a top tube sheet 118 .
- the bottom and top headers 115 , 116 and the core pipe 113 are constructed of a corrosion resistant alloy, such as stainless steel.
- the bottom and top tube sheets are constructed of an aluminum clad stainless steel.
- the heat exchange tubes 114 are constructed of aluminum (as used herein the term “aluminum” includes aluminum alloys) and are welded to the aluminum cladding of the bottom and top tube sheets 117 , 118 to make leak tight joints.
- the core pipe 113 will be welded to the stainless steel base metal of the bottom and top tube sheets 117 , 118 .
- other materials and construction methodologies can be used as would be known to those of skill in the art.
- the core tube 113 extends from the working fluid outlet header 116 to the working fluid inlet header 115 , thereby forming a fluid-tight path between the two through which the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 will flow. More specifically, the core tube 113 is connected to the lower and upper tube sheets 117 , 118 of the working fluid headers 115 , 116 .
- the working fluid inlet 111 extends into the core tube 113 and introduces cool liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 into a top portion of the core tube 113 .
- the core tube 113 is formed of a material that has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity (as compared to the material of which the heat exchange tubes 114 are constructed), such as steel.
- the core tube 113 may also comprise a thermal insulating layer, which can be an insulating shroud tube, to minimize heating of the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 in the core tube 113 by the liquid 50 of the pool.
- the core tube 113 has an effective coefficient of thermal conductivity (measured from an inner surface that is contact with the working fluid 75 to an outer surface that is in contact with the liquid 50 of the pool) that is less than the effective coefficient of thermal conductivity of the heat exchange tubes 114 (measured from an inner surface that is contact with the working fluid 75 to an outer surface that is in contact with the liquid 50 of the pool) in certain embodiments of the invention.
- this helps achieve an internal thermosiphon recirculation flow of the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 within the evaporative heat exchanger 110 itself (indicated by the flow arrows in FIG. 2 ).
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 form a tube bundle that circumferentially surrounds the core tube 113 .
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation.
- the heat exchange tubes 114 are constructed of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity to effectively transfer thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool to the working fluid 75 . Suitable materials include, without limitation, aluminum, copper, or materials of similar thermal conductivity.
- the heat exchange tubes 114 are finned tubes comprising a tube portion 119 and a plurality of fins 120 extending from an outer surface of the tube portion 119 (shown in FIG. 6 ).
- each heat exchange tube 114 comprises four fins 120 extending from the tube portion 119 at points of 90 degree circumferential separation.
- cool liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 enters the evaporative heat exchanger 110 via the working fluid inlet 111 as discussed above.
- the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 is considered “cool” at this time because it had been previously cooled in the condenser 50 .
- the cool liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 As the cool liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 enters the evaporative heat exchanger 110 , it is introduced into the core tube 113 .
- the cool liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 flows downward through the core tube and into the bottom header 115 , thereby filling the bottom header 115 and flowing upward into the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 .
- thermosiphon effect As the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 flows upward in the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 , thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool that surrounds the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 is conducted through the plurality of heat exchange tubes 114 and into the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 , thereby heating the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 .
- the warmed liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 then enters the top header 116 where it is drawn back into the core tube 113 by a thermosiphon effect.
- the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 is recirculated back through the aforementioned cycle until the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 achieves the boiling temperature of the working fluid 75 , thereby being converted into the vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 .
- the vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 rises within the evaporative heat exchanger 110 and gather within a top portion of the top header 116 where it then exits the evaporative heat exchanger 110 via the working fluid outlet(s) 112 .
- the internal design of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 promotes recirculation of the working fluid 117 and separation of the vapor phase 75 B from the liquid phase 75 A in the top header 116 (as shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is pressurized to a supra-atmospheric pressure.
- the pressure within the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is between 250 psia to 400 psia, with a more preferred range being between 280 psia and 320 psia, with approximately 300 psia being most preferred. Pressurization of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 is achieved through properly positioned valves as would be known to those of skill in the art.
- the working fluid 75 and the pressure within the evaporative heat exchanger 110 are selected so that the working fluid evaporates at a temperature between 145° F. and 175° F., and more preferably between 155° F. and 165° F.
- the pressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 exits the working fluid outlet 112 of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 and enters the working fluid inlet 131 of the turbogenerator 130 .
- the pressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 produced in the evaporative heat exchanger 110 then serves to energize a suitably sized turbogenerator 130 .
- the turbogenerator 130 converts a first portion of the thermal energy extracted from the liquid 50 of the pool (which is now in the form of kinetic energy (velocity head) and/or potential energy (pressure head) of the vapor flow) to electrical power, as would be understood by those of skill in the art.
- turbobogenerator includes a device and/or subsystem that includes a turbine and electrical generator either in directed or indirect connection.
- the term “turbogenerator” is intended to include any device and/or subsystem that can convert the pressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 into electrical energy.
- the vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 passes through the turbogenerator 130 it is partially depressurized as it exits the working fluid outlet 132 of the turbogenertaor still in the vapor phase 75 B.
- the vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 may be at a pressure between 200 psia and 270 psia.
- the forced flow units (which in the exemplified embodiment are the hydraulic pump 190 and the blower 151 ) are operably and electrically coupled to the turbogenerator 130 by the electrical circuit 130 via electrical lines 201 . All of the forced flow units are powered solely by the electrical energy generated by the turbogenerator 130 as discussed above. Moreover, in many instances, the turbogenerator 130 will generate surplus electrical energy.
- the autonomous self-powered system 1000 may further comprise a rechargeable electrical energy source 202 , such as a battery, operably and electrically coupled to the turbogenerator 130 by the electrical circuit 200 .
- the rechargeable electrical energy source 202 will be operably coupled to a controller so that certain valves, sensors, and other electrical components can be operated even when the turbogenerator 130 is not running.
- the partially depressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 that exits the turbogenerator 130 enters the working fluid inlet 152 of the condenser 150 .
- the condenser 150 transfers a sufficient amount of thermal energy from the partially depressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 to a secondary fluid so that the depressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 is converted back into the liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 .
- the condensed liquid phase 75 A of the working fluid 75 exits the condenser 150 via the working fluid outlet 153 of the condenser where it flows back into the working fluid reservoir 170 for recirculation through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 .
- the condenser 150 is an air-cooled condenser and, thus, the secondary fluid is air that is expelled to the environment.
- the condenser 150 can be any type of heat exchanger than can remove thermal energy from the partially depressurized vapor phase 75 B of the working fluid 75 , including without limitation, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a plate and shell heat exchanger, an adiabatic heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, and a pillow plate heat exchanger.
- the induced flow air cooled-condenser 150 comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 ( FIG. 6 ) positioned within an internal cavity formed by a housing 159 .
- the working fluid 75 is the tubeside fluid and flows through the plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 .
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation and are finned as discussed above with respect to the heat exchange tubes 114 of the evaporative heat exchanger 110 , and as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the induced flow air cooled-condenser 150 comprises a cool air inlet 155 and a warmed air outlet 156 .
- the warmed air outlet 156 is at a higher elevation than the cool air inlet 155 .
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 are located in the cavity of the housing at an elevation between the elevation of the cool air inlet 155 and an elevation of the warmed air outlet 156 .
- the induced flow air cooled-condenser 150 in certain embodiments, is located outside of the containment building in which the pool of liquid 50 is located.
- FIGS. 4-5B an example of natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 that can be used in the system 1000 is exemplified.
- the flow of air over the heat exchanger tubes 154 is accomplished solely by natural convection (i.e., the chimney effect) and, thus, the blower 151 is not required.
- the blower 151 can be incorporated into the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 as desired to accommodate for situations where the ambient air may reach elevated temperatures that could negatively affect adequate heat removal from the working fluid 75 .
- the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 comprises a working fluid inlet header 260 comprising a plurality concentrically arranged toroidal tubes.
- the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 also comprises a working fluid outlet header 261 comprising a plurality concentrically arranged toroidal tubes.
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 form a tube bundle that extends from the toroidal tubes of the working fluid inlet header 260 to the toroidal tubes of the working fluid outlet header 261 .
- the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 comprises a cool air inlet 255 and a warmed air outlet 256 .
- the warmed air outlet 256 is at a higher elevation than the cool air inlet 255 .
- the plurality of heat exchange tubes 254 are located in the cavity of the housing 259 at an elevation between the elevation of the cool air inlet 255 and an elevation of the warmed air outlet 256 .
- the system 1000 of the present invention can be used to remove heat from any pool of water. In particular, it can be used to reject the decay heat from a spent fuel pool. Because the inventive system 1000 does not require any external active components such as pumps, motors, or electric actuators/controllers, it can be engineered as an autonomous system that is not reliant on an external energy source to function. Thus, the inventive system 1000 is safe from an extreme environmental event such as a tsunami. It is evident that several of the systems 1000 can be deployed in a single pool of liquid if desired.
- the inventive system 1000 can be retrofit to existing plants for use both as an emergency cooling system under station blackout scenarios and as an auxiliary system to provide operational flexibility during corrective and elective maintenance (particularly during outages).
- the inventive system 1000 can also be incorporated into the plant design for new build projects to operate as the primary cooling system, thereby removing station blackout as a possible threat to spent fuel pool safety.
Abstract
An autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials comprising: a pool of liquid; a closed-loop fluid circuit comprising a working fluid having a boiling temperature that is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool, the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluid coupling, an evaporative heat exchanger at least partially immersed in the liquid of the pool, a turbogenerator, and a condenser; one or more forced flow units operably coupled to the closed-loop fluid circuit to induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and the closed-loop fluid circuit converting thermal energy extracted from the liquid of the pool into electrical energy in accordance with the Rankine Cycle, the electrical energy powering the one or more forced flow units.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/713,831 filed Sep. 25, 2017, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/450,150, filed Apr. 18, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/476,624, filed Apr. 18, 2011. The entireties of the foregoing applications are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates generally to systems and methods of removing thermal energy from pools of liquid, and specifically to systems and methods of removing thermal energy from spent nuclear fuel pools that are self-powered and autonomous.
- The spent fuel pool (SFP) in a nuclear power plant serves to store used spent nuclear fuel discharged from the reactor in a deep pool (approximately 40 feet deep) of water. In existing systems, the decay heat produced by the spent nuclear fuel is removed from the SFP by circulating the pool water through a heat exchanger (referred to as the Fuel Pool Cooler) using a hydraulic pump. In the Fuel Pool Cooler, the pool water rejects heat to a cooling medium which is circulated using another set of pumps. Subsequent to it's cooling in the Fuel Pool cooler, the pool water is also purified by passing it through a bed of demineralizers before returning it to the pool.
- In existing systems, the satisfactory performance of the spent fuel cooling and clean up system described above is critically dependent on pumps which require electric energy to operate. As the events at the Fukushima Dai-ichi showed, even a redundant source of power such as Diesel generators cannot preclude the paralysis of the classical fuel pool cooling system.
- In order to insure that the decay heat produced by the fuel stored in the SFP is unconditionally rejected to the environment, the present invention introduces a heat removal system and method that does not require an external source of electric energy or equipment that can be rendered ineffective by an extreme environmental phenomenon such as a tsunami, hurricane, earthquake and the like.
- These, and other drawbacks, are remedied by the present invention. An autonomous and self-powered system of cooling a pool of liquid in which radioactive materials are immersed is presented. The inventive system utilizes a closed-loop fluid circuit through which a low boiling point working fluid flows. The closed-loop fluid circuit of the inventive system, in accordance with the Rankine Cycle: (1) extracts thermal energy from the liquid of the pool into the working fluid; (2) converts a first portion of the extracted thermal energy into electrical energy that is used to power one or more forced flow units that induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and (3) transfers a second portion of the extracted thermal energy to a secondary fluid, such as air. In this way, the inventive system operates without the need for any electrical energy other than that which is generates internally in accordance with the Rankine Cycle.
- In one embodiment, the invention can be an autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials, the system comprising: a pool at least partially filled with a liquid and radioactive materials immersed in the liquid; a closed-loop fluid circuit comprising a working fluid having a boiling temperature that is less than a boiling temperature of the liquid, the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluid coupling, an evaporative heat exchanger at least partially immersed in the liquid, a turbogenerator, and a condenser; one or more forced flow units operably coupled to the closed-loop fluid circuit to induce flow of the working fluid through the closed-loop fluid circuit; and the closed-loop fluid circuit converting thermal energy extracted from the liquid of the pool into electrical energy that powers the one or more forced flow units; wherein the evaporative heat exchanger comprises: a top header, a bottom header, a downcomer tube defining a first passageway between the top and bottom headers, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes each forming a second passageway between the top and bottom headers; a working fluid inlet extending into the downcomer tube for introducing a liquid phase of the working fluid into the first passageway; and a working fluid outlet for allowing a vapor phase of the working fluid to exit the evaporative heat exchanger.
- In another embodiment, the invention can be a vertical evaporative heat exchanger for immersion in a heated fluid comprising: a tubeside fluid circuit comprising: a top header; a bottom header; a core tube forming a downcomer passageway between the top header and the bottom header, the core tube having a first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity; a plurality of heat exchange tubes forming passageways between the bottom header and the top header, the plurality of the heat exchange tubes having a second effective coefficient of thermal conductivity that is greater than the first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity; a working fluid in the tubeside fluid circuit; an inlet for introducing a liquid phase of the working fluid into the tubeside fluid circuit; an outlet for allowing a vapor phase of the working fluid to exit the top header; and wherein transfer of heat from the heated fluid to the working fluid induces a thermosiphon flow of the liquid phase of the working fluid within the tubeside fluid circuit.
- Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
- The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic of an autonomous self-powered cooling system according to one embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic of an evaporative heat exchanger for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is an induced air-flow air cooled condenser for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a natural draft air cooled condenser for use in the autonomous self-powered cooling system ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5A is perspective view of the heat exchange tube bundle of the natural draft air cooled condenser ofFIG. 4 ; -
FIG. 5B is a close-up view of area V-V ofFIG. 5A ; and -
FIG. 6 is a transverse cross-section of finned heat exchange tube for use in the evaporative heat exchanger ofFIG. 2 and/or the air cooled condensers ofFIGS. 3 and 4 . - The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. While the invention is exemplified in
FIGS. 1-6 as being used to cool pools of liquid in which radioactive materials are immersed (such as spent nuclear fuel, high level radioactive waste or low level radioactive waste), the invention is not so limited and can be used to cool any body of liquid in need of cooling. - Referring first to
FIG. 1 , an autonomous self-poweredcooling system 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically illustrated. The autonomous self-poweredcooling system 1000 generally comprises a closed-loop fluid circuit 100, anelectrical circuit 200, and a pool ofliquid 50.Radioactive materials 20 are immersed in the pool ofliquid 50, which in the exemplified embodiment is a spent fuel pool.Radioactive materials 20, such as spent nuclear fuel, generate a substantial amount of heat for a considerable amount of time after completion of a useful cycle in a nuclear reactor. Thus, theradioactive materials 20 are immersed in the pool ofliquid 50 to cool theradioactive materials 20 to temperatures suitable for dry storage. In embodiments where theradioactive materials 20 are spent nuclear fuel rods, said spent nuclear fuel rods will be supported in the pool ofliquid 50 in fuel racks located at the bottom of the pool ofliquid 50 and resting on the floor. Examples of suitable fuel racks are disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0260088, entitled Apparatus and Method for Supporting Fuel Assemblies in an Underwater Environment Having Lateral Access Loading, published on Oct. 23, 2008, and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0175404, entitled Apparatus or Supporting Radioactive Fuel Assemblies and Methods of Manufcturing the Same, published on Jul. 9, 2009, the entireties of which are hereby incorporated by reference. - As a result of being immersed in the pool of
liquid 50, thermal energy from theradioactive materials 20 is transferred to the pool ofliquid 50, thereby heating the pool ofliquid 50 and cooling the radioactive materials. However, as the pool of liquid 50 heats up over time, thermal energy must be removed from the pool ofliquid 50 to maintain the temperature of the pool ofliquid 50 within an acceptable range so that adequate cooling of theradioactive materials 20 can be continued. - As discussed in greater detail below, the closed-
loop fluid circuit 100 extends through the pool ofliquid 50. A workingfluid 75 is flowed through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100. The closed-loop fluid circuit 100 extracts thermal energy from the pool of liquid 50 (into the working fluid 75) and converts the extracted thermal energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generated by said conversion powers theelectrical circuit 200, which in turn powers forcedflow units 190, 151 (described below) that induce flow of the working fluid 75 (FIG. 2 ) through the closed-loop circuit 100. The aforementioned extraction and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy is accomplished by the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 in accordance with the Rankine Cycle. In certain specific embodiments, and depending on the identity of theliquid 50 to be cooled and the workingfluid 75 being used, the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 can accomplish the extraction and conversion of thermal energy into electrical energy in accordance with the Organic Rankine Cycle. - In order to cool the pool of
liquid 50 prior to theliquid 50 of the pool evaporating/boiling, the workingfluid 75 is preferably a low boiling-point fluid (relative to theliquid 50 of the pool). More specifically, the workingfluid 75 is selected so that it has a boiling temperature that is less than the boiling temperature of theliquid 50 of the pool. It is appreciated that the temperature at which a liquid boils/evaporates is dependent on pressure and that theliquid 50 of the pool and the workingfluid 75 may be subject to different pressures in certain embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, as discussed in greater detail below, the workingfluid 75 is evaporated/boiled in anevaporative heat exchanger 110 that is immersed in the pool ofliquid 50. In certain such embodiments, theliquid 50 of the pool will be under a first pressure and the workingfluid 75 in theevaporative heat exchanger 110 will be under a second pressure that is greater than first pressure. Thus, in such an embodiment, the workingfluid 75 is selected so that the boiling temperature of the workingfluid 75 at the second pressure is less than the boiling temperature of theliquid 50 of the pool at the first pressure. In one specific embodiment, the first pressure will be atmospheric pressure and the second pressure will be in a range of 250 psia to 400 psia. - In one embodiment, the
liquid 50 of the pool is water. As used herein, the term “water” includes borated water, demineralized water and other forms of treated water or water with additives.Suitable working fluids 75 include, without limitation, refrigerants. Suitable refrigerants may include, without limitation, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, hydrochlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, haloalkanes, and hydrocarbons. One particularly suitable refrigerant that can be used as the workingfluid 75 is tetraflouroethane, commonly known as HFC-134a. - The exemplified embodiment of the closed-
loop fluid circuit 100 generally comprise anevaporative heat exchanger 110, aturbogenerator 130, acondenser 150, a workingfluid reservoir 170, and ahydraulic pump 190. Theaforementioned components loop fluid circuit 100 are operably and fluidly coupled together using appropriate piping, joints and fittings as is well-known in the art to form a fluid-tight closed-loop through which the workingfluid 75 can flow through in both aliquid phase 75A and avapor phase 75B. The workingfluid 75 is in theliquid phase 75A between a workingfluid outlet 153 of thecondenser 150 and a workingfluid inlet 111 of theevaporative heat exchanger 110. The workingfluid 75 is in thevapor phase 75B between a workingfluid outlet 112 of theevaporative heat exchanger 110 and a workingfluid inlet 152 of thecondenser 150. As discussed in greater detail below, theevaporative heat exchanger 110, which is immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool, converts the workingfluid 75 from theliquid phase 75A to thevapor phase 75B by transferring thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool into the workingfluid 75. Conversely, thecondenser 150 converts the workingfluid 75 from thevapor phase 75B to theliquid phase 75A by transferring thermal energy from the workingfluid 75 into a secondary fluid (which can be air that is rejected to the environment in certain embodiments). - In the exemplified embodiment, the autonomous self-powered
system 1000 further comprises two forced flow units that induce flow of the workingfluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100, namely the hydraulic pump 190 (which is considered part of the closed-loop fluid circuit 100) and ablower 151 which, when operated, forces cooling air to flow over heat exchange tubes 154 (as shown inFIG. 6 ) of thecondenser 150. Thehydraulic pump 190 directly induces flow of the workingfluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 by drawing the liquid-phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 from the workingfluid reservoir 170 and forcing the liquid-phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 into theevaporative heat exchanger 110. Theblower 151 indirectly induces flow of the workingfluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 by increasing air flow over theheat exchange tubes 154 of the condenser 150 (the workingfluid 75 being the tubeside fluid in the condenser 150), thereby increasing the extraction of thermal energy from the workingfluid 75 in thecondenser 150 and promoting increased condensation and a thermo-siphon flow effect of the workingfluid 75. In certain embodiments of the invention, more or less forced flow units can be incorporated into the autonomous self-poweredsystem 1000 as desired. - For example, in certain embodiments, the
blower 151 may be omitted while, in certain other embodiments, the hydraulic pump 90 may be omitted. For example, if thecondenser 50 were a natural draft air-cooled condenser (seeFIGS. 4-5B ), theblower 151 may be omitted. Furthermore, in certain embodiments where thecondenser 50 is not an air cooled condenser, but is for example a shell and tube heat exchanger, a hydraulic pump that is used to force flow of the secondary fluid through thecondenser 50 can be a forced flow unit. - Irrespective of the exact number and identity of the forced flow units that are used to induce flow of the of the working
fluid 75 through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100, all of said forced flow units are powered only by electrical energy generated through the conversion of the thermal energy that is extracted from the liquid 50 of the pool. More specifically, in the exemplified embodiment, both thehydraulic pump 190 and theblower 151 are operably and electrically coupled to theelectrical circuit 200, which is powered solely by the electrical energy generated by the turbogenerator 130 (discussed in greater detail below). Thus, the autonomous self-poweredsystem 1000 can operate to cool the liquid 50 of the pool for an indefinite period of time and completely independent of any outside sources of electrical energy, other than that electrical energy that is generated through the conversion of the thermal energy extracted from the liquid 50 of the pool. Stated simply, the thermal energy of the liquid 50 of the pool is the sole source of energy required to drive thecooling system 1000. - Referring still to
FIG. 1 , the general operation cycle of the autonomous self-poweredsystem 1000 will be described. The workingfluid reservoir 170 stores an amount of the liquid phase 75 a of the workingfluid 75 to charge and control the quantity of the workingfluid 75 in the thermal cycle at start up. The workingfluid reservoir 170 also provides the means to evacuate the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 of air and to fill the closed-loop fluid circuit 100 with the required amount of the workingfluid 75. In certain embodiments, the workingfluid reservoir 170 is needed only at the beginning of the system operation (start up) to insure that the proper quantity of the workingfluid 75 is injected into the thermal cycle. - The
hydraulic pump 190 is located downstream of the workingfluid reservoir 170 in the exemplified embodiment. However, in alternate embodiments, thehydraulic pump 190 can be located upstream of the workingfluid reservoir 170. Once started, thehydraulic pump 190 draws theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 from the workingfluid reservoir 170, thereby drawing theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 into the workingfluid inlet 191 of thehydraulic pump 190. As thehydraulic pump 190 operates, theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 is expelled from the workingfluid outlet 192 of the hydraulic pump under pressure. The expelledliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 is forced into theevaporative heat exchanger 110 via the workingfluid inlet 111 of theevaporative heat exchanger 110. - The
evaporative heat exchanger 110 is at least partially immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool so that thermal energy fromliquid 50 can be transferred to the working fluid 70 while in theevaporative heat exchanger 110. In the exemplified embodiment, theevaporative heat exchanger 110 is full immersed in the liquid 50 of the pool. Furthermore, theevaporative heat exchanger 110 is located at a top of the pool ofliquid 50, which tends to be hotter than the bottom of the pool ofliquid 50 due to temperature differentials in the liquid 50 (hot fluids rise). In one embodiment, theevaporative heat exchanger 110 is mounted to one of thesidewalls 55 of the pool ofliquid 50 so that theevaporative heat exchanger 110 does not interfere with loading and unloading operations that take place within the pool ofliquid 50 for theradioactive materials 20. - The details of one embodiment of the
evaporative heat exchanger 110, including the operation thereof, will now be described with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2 concurrently. Of course, the invention is not so limited, and theevaporative heat exchanger 110 can take on other structural embodiments in other embodiments of the invention. Theevaporative heat exchanger 110 generally comprises a core tube 113 (which acts as a downcomer tube in the exemplified embodiment), a plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114, a workingfluid bottom header 115, and a workingfluid top header 116, which collectively define a tubeside fluid circuit. The workingfluid bottom header 115 comprises abottom tube sheet 117 while the workingfluid top header 116 comprises atop tube sheet 118. - In one embodiment, the bottom and
top headers core pipe 113 are constructed of a corrosion resistant alloy, such as stainless steel. The bottom and top tube sheets are constructed of an aluminum clad stainless steel. Theheat exchange tubes 114 are constructed of aluminum (as used herein the term “aluminum” includes aluminum alloys) and are welded to the aluminum cladding of the bottom andtop tube sheets core pipe 113 will be welded to the stainless steel base metal of the bottom andtop tube sheets - The
core tube 113 extends from the workingfluid outlet header 116 to the workingfluid inlet header 115, thereby forming a fluid-tight path between the two through which theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 will flow. More specifically, thecore tube 113 is connected to the lower andupper tube sheets fluid headers fluid inlet 111 extends into thecore tube 113 and introduces coolliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 into a top portion of thecore tube 113. Thecore tube 113 is formed of a material that has a low coefficient of thermal conductivity (as compared to the material of which theheat exchange tubes 114 are constructed), such as steel. Thecore tube 113 may also comprise a thermal insulating layer, which can be an insulating shroud tube, to minimize heating of theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 in thecore tube 113 by the liquid 50 of the pool. Irrespective of the materials and/or construction of thecore tube 113, thecore tube 113 has an effective coefficient of thermal conductivity (measured from an inner surface that is contact with the workingfluid 75 to an outer surface that is in contact with the liquid 50 of the pool) that is less than the effective coefficient of thermal conductivity of the heat exchange tubes 114 (measured from an inner surface that is contact with the workingfluid 75 to an outer surface that is in contact with the liquid 50 of the pool) in certain embodiments of the invention. As discussed in detail below, this helps achieve an internal thermosiphon recirculation flow of theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 within theevaporative heat exchanger 110 itself (indicated by the flow arrows inFIG. 2 ). - The plurality of
heat exchange tubes 114 form a tube bundle that circumferentially surrounds thecore tube 113. The plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114 are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. Theheat exchange tubes 114 are constructed of a material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity to effectively transfer thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool to the workingfluid 75. Suitable materials include, without limitation, aluminum, copper, or materials of similar thermal conductivity. In one embodiment, theheat exchange tubes 114 are finned tubes comprising a tube portion 119 and a plurality of fins 120 extending from an outer surface of the tube portion 119 (shown inFIG. 6 ). In the exemplified embodiment, eachheat exchange tube 114 comprises four fins 120 extending from the tube portion 119 at points of 90 degree circumferential separation. - During operation of the autonomous self-powered
system 1000, coolliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 enters theevaporative heat exchanger 110 via the workingfluid inlet 111 as discussed above. Theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 is considered “cool” at this time because it had been previously cooled in thecondenser 50. As thecool liquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 enters theevaporative heat exchanger 110, it is introduced into thecore tube 113. Thecool liquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 flows downward through the core tube and into thebottom header 115, thereby filling thebottom header 115 and flowing upward into the plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114. As theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 flows upward in the plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114, thermal energy from the liquid 50 of the pool that surrounds the plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114 is conducted through the plurality ofheat exchange tubes 114 and into theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75, thereby heating theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75. The warmedliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 then enters thetop header 116 where it is drawn back into thecore tube 113 by a thermosiphon effect. As a result, theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 is recirculated back through the aforementioned cycle until theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 achieves the boiling temperature of the workingfluid 75, thereby being converted into thevapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75. Thevapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 rises within theevaporative heat exchanger 110 and gather within a top portion of thetop header 116 where it then exits theevaporative heat exchanger 110 via the working fluid outlet(s) 112. The internal design of theevaporative heat exchanger 110 promotes recirculation of the workingfluid 117 and separation of thevapor phase 75B from theliquid phase 75A in the top header 116 (as shown inFIG. 2 ). - As mentioned above, the
evaporative heat exchanger 110 is pressurized to a supra-atmospheric pressure. In one embodiment, the pressure within theevaporative heat exchanger 110 is between 250 psia to 400 psia, with a more preferred range being between 280 psia and 320 psia, with approximately 300 psia being most preferred. Pressurization of theevaporative heat exchanger 110 is achieved through properly positioned valves as would be known to those of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the workingfluid 75 and the pressure within theevaporative heat exchanger 110 are selected so that the working fluid evaporates at a temperature between 145° F. and 175° F., and more preferably between 155° F. and 165° F. - Referring solely now to
FIG. 1 , thepressurized vapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 exits the workingfluid outlet 112 of theevaporative heat exchanger 110 and enters the workingfluid inlet 131 of theturbogenerator 130. Thepressurized vapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 produced in theevaporative heat exchanger 110 then serves to energize a suitablysized turbogenerator 130. In other words, theturbogenerator 130 converts a first portion of the thermal energy extracted from the liquid 50 of the pool (which is now in the form of kinetic energy (velocity head) and/or potential energy (pressure head) of the vapor flow) to electrical power, as would be understood by those of skill in the art. As used herein, the term “turbogenerator” includes a device and/or subsystem that includes a turbine and electrical generator either in directed or indirect connection. The term “turbogenerator” is intended to include any device and/or subsystem that can convert thepressurized vapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 into electrical energy. As thevapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 passes through theturbogenerator 130 it is partially depressurized as it exits the workingfluid outlet 132 of the turbogenertaor still in thevapor phase 75B. At this point, thevapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 may be at a pressure between 200 psia and 270 psia. - As mentioned above, the forced flow units (which in the exemplified embodiment are the
hydraulic pump 190 and the blower 151) are operably and electrically coupled to theturbogenerator 130 by theelectrical circuit 130 viaelectrical lines 201. All of the forced flow units are powered solely by the electrical energy generated by theturbogenerator 130 as discussed above. Moreover, in many instances, theturbogenerator 130 will generate surplus electrical energy. Thus, the autonomous self-poweredsystem 1000 may further comprise a rechargeableelectrical energy source 202, such as a battery, operably and electrically coupled to theturbogenerator 130 by theelectrical circuit 200. In certain embodiments, the rechargeableelectrical energy source 202 will be operably coupled to a controller so that certain valves, sensors, and other electrical components can be operated even when theturbogenerator 130 is not running. - Referring still to
FIG. 1 , the partially depressurizedvapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 that exits theturbogenerator 130 enters the workingfluid inlet 152 of thecondenser 150. Thecondenser 150 transfers a sufficient amount of thermal energy from the partially depressurizedvapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 to a secondary fluid so that the depressurizedvapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75 is converted back into theliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75. The condensedliquid phase 75A of the workingfluid 75 exits thecondenser 150 via the workingfluid outlet 153 of the condenser where it flows back into the workingfluid reservoir 170 for recirculation through the closed-loop fluid circuit 100. In one embodiment, thecondenser 150 is an air-cooled condenser and, thus, the secondary fluid is air that is expelled to the environment. In other embodiments, thecondenser 150 can be any type of heat exchanger than can remove thermal energy from the partially depressurizedvapor phase 75B of the workingfluid 75, including without limitation, a shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger, a plate and shell heat exchanger, an adiabatic heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, and a pillow plate heat exchanger. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 3 concurrently, an example of induced flow air cooled-condenser 150 that can be used in thesystem 1000 is exemplified. The induced flow air cooled-condenser 150 comprises a plurality of heat exchange tubes 154 (FIG. 6 ) positioned within an internal cavity formed by ahousing 159. The workingfluid 75 is the tubeside fluid and flows through the plurality ofheat exchange tubes 154. The plurality ofheat exchange tubes 154 are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation and are finned as discussed above with respect to theheat exchange tubes 114 of theevaporative heat exchanger 110, and as shown inFIG. 6 . - The induced flow air cooled-
condenser 150 comprises acool air inlet 155 and a warmedair outlet 156. The warmedair outlet 156 is at a higher elevation than thecool air inlet 155. The plurality ofheat exchange tubes 154 are located in the cavity of the housing at an elevation between the elevation of thecool air inlet 155 and an elevation of the warmedair outlet 156. As such, in addition to the air flow within thehousing 159 being forced by operation of theblower 151, which is located within the warmedair outlet 156, additional air flow will be achieved by the natural convective flow of the air as it is heated (i.e., the chimney effect). As warmed air exists thecondenser 150 via the warmedair outlet 156, additional cool air is drawn into thecool air inlet 155. The induced flow air cooled-condenser 150, in certain embodiments, is located outside of the containment building in which the pool ofliquid 50 is located. - Referring now to
FIGS. 4-5B concurrently, an example of natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 that can be used in thesystem 1000 is exemplified. Of note, the flow of air over the heat exchanger tubes 154 (which are also vertically oriented) is accomplished solely by natural convection (i.e., the chimney effect) and, thus, theblower 151 is not required. However, in certain embodiments, theblower 151 can be incorporated into the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 as desired to accommodate for situations where the ambient air may reach elevated temperatures that could negatively affect adequate heat removal from the workingfluid 75. Of further note, the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 comprises a workingfluid inlet header 260 comprising a plurality concentrically arranged toroidal tubes. Similarly, the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 also comprises a workingfluid outlet header 261 comprising a plurality concentrically arranged toroidal tubes. The plurality ofheat exchange tubes 154 form a tube bundle that extends from the toroidal tubes of the workingfluid inlet header 260 to the toroidal tubes of the workingfluid outlet header 261. - As with the air-cooled
condenser 150, the natural draft air cooled-condenser 250 comprises acool air inlet 255 and a warmedair outlet 256. The warmedair outlet 256 is at a higher elevation than thecool air inlet 255. The plurality of heat exchange tubes 254 are located in the cavity of thehousing 259 at an elevation between the elevation of thecool air inlet 255 and an elevation of the warmedair outlet 256. - The
system 1000 of the present invention can be used to remove heat from any pool of water. In particular, it can be used to reject the decay heat from a spent fuel pool. Because theinventive system 1000 does not require any external active components such as pumps, motors, or electric actuators/controllers, it can be engineered as an autonomous system that is not reliant on an external energy source to function. Thus, theinventive system 1000 is safe from an extreme environmental event such as a tsunami. It is evident that several of thesystems 1000 can be deployed in a single pool of liquid if desired. - The
inventive system 1000 can be retrofit to existing plants for use both as an emergency cooling system under station blackout scenarios and as an auxiliary system to provide operational flexibility during corrective and elective maintenance (particularly during outages). Theinventive system 1000 can also be incorporated into the plant design for new build projects to operate as the primary cooling system, thereby removing station blackout as a possible threat to spent fuel pool safety. - As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by referenced in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.
- While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. An autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials, the system comprising:
a pool of liquid heated by the radioactive materials immersed therein;
a closed-loop flow circuit comprising a hydraulic pump circulating a working fluid through the closed-loop flow circuit, the working fluid having a boiling temperature less than a boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool;
the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluidly coupled relationship:
an evaporative heat exchanger immersed in the liquid of the pool, the heat exchanger comprising a top header, a bottom header, and a bundle of heat exchange tubes extending therebetween, the heat exchange tubes having exposed outer surfaces in directly wetted fluid contact with the liquid of the pool to convert a liquid working fluid received by the tubes into vaporous working fluid;
a turbogenerator receiving the vaporous working fluid for the heat exchanger;
a condenser receiving the vaporous working fluid and condensing it back into the liquid working fluid; and
the hydraulic pump receiving the liquid working fluid from the condenser and the pumping the liquid working fluid back to the heat exchanger;
the turbogenerator being operable to convert thermal energy extracted from the vaporous working fluid into electrical energy, the electrical energy powering the pump.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the evaporative heat exchanger is located at a top of the pool of liquid proximate to a top surface of the liquid thereby exposing the heat exchange tubes to hottest liquid in the pool for optimum heat transfer.
3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the bottom header is located in an upper half of the pool of liquid.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the condenser is an air-cooled condenser comprises a blower operable to draw or blow ambient cooling air over a tube bundle comprising plurality of heat exchange tubes in the air-cooled condenser, the working fluid being a tube-side fluid flowing through the heat exchange tubes of the air-cooled condenser.
5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the blower is also electrically powered by the turbogenerator.
6. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the heat exchange tubes of the air-cooled condenser are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, and wherein the vaporous working fluid enters the heat exchange tubes of the air-cooled condenser via a top fluid inlet header and the condensed liquid working fluid exits the heat exchange tubes via a bottom fluid outlet header.
7. The autonomous self-powered system of claim 4 wherein the air cooled condenser further comprises a shroud forming a cavity, the heat exchange tubes of the air-cooled condenser located within the cavity of the shroud, the shroud having an air inlet for introducing cool air into the cavity and an air outlet for allowing heated air to exit the cavity, the heat exchange tubes located at an elevation between an elevation of the air inlet and an elevation of the air outlet so that thermal energy transferred from the working fluid flowing to the air through the heat exchange tubes causes a natural convective air flow within the shroud.
8. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir which receives the liquid working fluid from the condenser, the hydraulic pump downstream of and taking suction from the reservoir.
9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the pool of the liquid is at a first pressure and the working fluid within the evaporative heat exchanger is at a second pressure that is greater than the first pressure, the boiling temperature of the working fluid at the second pressure being less than the boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool at the first pressure.
10. The system according to claim 8 , wherein the first pressure is atmospheric and the second pressure is in a range of 250 psia to 400 psia.
11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid of the pool is water and the working fluid is selected from a group consisting of a refrigerant and a hydrocarbon.
12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the heat exchange tubes of the heat exchanger are vertically oriented.
13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein the top and bottom headers of the heat exchanger are dome shaped.
14. The system according to claim 12 , further comprising a central core tube circumferentially surrounded by the bundle of heat exchange tubes, the core tube forming a downcomer passageway between the top header and the bottom header for bypassing the top header and introducing the liquid working fluid from the hydraulic pump directly into the bottom header of the heat exchanger.
15. The system according to claim 14 , wherein the downcomer tube comprises a thermal insulating layer.
16. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the heat exchanger is mounted to a vertical sidewall of the pool of liquid.
17. An autonomous self-powered system for cooling radioactive materials, the system comprising:
a pool of liquid heated by the radioactive materials immersed therein;
a closed-loop flow circuit comprising a hydraulic pump circulating a working fluid through the closed-loop flow circuit, the working fluid having a boiling temperature less than a boiling temperature of the liquid of the pool;
the closed-loop fluid circuit comprising, in operable fluidly coupled relationship:
an evaporative heat exchanger immersed in the liquid of the pool, the heat exchanger comprising a top header, a bottom header, and a first bundle of heat exchange tubes extending therebetween, the heat exchange tubes having exposed outer surfaces in directly wetted fluid contact with the liquid of the pool to convert a liquid working fluid received by the tubes into vaporous working fluid;
a turbogenerator receiving the vaporous working fluid for the heat exchanger;
an air-cooled condenser receiving the vaporous working fluid and condensing it back into the liquid working fluid, the air-cooled condenser comprising a fluid inlet head, a fluid outlet header, and a second bundle of heat exchange tubes extending therebetween; and
the hydraulic pump receiving the liquid working fluid from the condenser and the pumping the liquid working fluid back to the heat exchanger;
the turbogenerator being operable to convert thermal energy extracted from the vaporous working fluid into electrical energy, the electrical energy powering the pump.
18. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the evaporative heat exchanger is located in an upper half of the pool of liquid proximate to a top surface level of the liquid thereby exposing the heat exchange tubes to hottest liquid in the pool for optimum heat transfer.
19. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the air-cooled condenser comprises a blower operable to draw or blow ambient cooling air over the second tube bundle of heat exchange tubes, the working fluid being a tube-side fluid flowing through the heat exchange tubes of the air-cooled condenser.
20. The system according to claim 17 , wherein the heat exchanger further comprises a central core tube extending between the top and bottom headers of the heat exchanger, core tube having a first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity and the heat exchange tubes having a second effective coefficient of thermal conductivity greater than the first effective coefficient of thermal conductivity to promote thermosiphon flow of the liquid working fluid within the heat exchange tubes of the heat exchanger.
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US18/085,428 US20230117993A1 (en) | 2008-04-29 | 2022-12-20 | Neutron absorbing apparatus |
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US16/592,765 US20200049030A1 (en) | 2011-04-18 | 2019-10-04 | Autonomous self-powered system for removing thermal energy from pools of liquid heated by radioactive materials, and method of the same |
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2012
- 2012-04-18 US US13/450,150 patent/US9803510B2/en active Active
- 2012-04-18 WO PCT/US2012/034095 patent/WO2012145406A2/en active Application Filing
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2017
- 2017-09-25 US US15/713,831 patent/US10472996B2/en active Active
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2019
- 2019-10-04 US US16/592,765 patent/US20200049030A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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WO2012145406A2 (en) | 2012-10-26 |
US9803510B2 (en) | 2017-10-31 |
US20120294737A1 (en) | 2012-11-22 |
WO2012145406A3 (en) | 2014-05-01 |
US10472996B2 (en) | 2019-11-12 |
US20180023423A1 (en) | 2018-01-25 |
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