Primary Inventor: Krishna P. Singh
Contributing Inventor(s): Joseph Rajkumar
Date of Publication: March 20, 2018
Status: Granted
Jurisdiction: US
Assignee: SMR Inventec, LLC
Equipment Type: SMR
Docket Number: HOL-074
Application Number: 14/437,897
Patent Number: 9,922,740 B2
Prior Publication Data: Previously published as US 2015/0255181 A1 on September 10, 2015
Related U.S. Publication Data: Provisional application No. 61/718,309, filed on October 25, 2012.
PCT Filed: October 25, 2013
PCT Number: PCT/US2013/066777
PCT Publication Number: WO 2014/113115 A3
PCT Publication Date: July 24, 2014
Abstract: A nuclear power generation system and related power cycle are disclosed, in one embodiment, the system includes primary coolant circulation through a hydraulically interconnected reactor containing nuclear fuel and a steam generating vessel collectively defining a steam supply system. Liquid secondary coolant for the power cycle flows through the steam generating vessel and is converted to steam by the primary coolant to drive a low pressure turbine of a turbine-generator set. Steam exiting the turbine is condensed and heated prior to return to the steam supply system, thereby completing a secondary coolant flow loop. In one embodiment, a majority of the secondary coolant heating occurs within the steam generating vessel via heat exchange with the primary coolant rather than externally in the secondary coolant flow loop. This creates a temperature differential between the primary and secondary coolant sufficient to create natural thermally induced convective circulation of the primary coolant …