Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140029711 | PASSIVE POWER PRODUCTION DURING A NUCLEAR STATION BLACKOUT - Apparatus for passively generating electric power during a nuclear power station blackout by utilizing the temperature difference between the hot inlet of a residual heat removal circuit and the surrounding containment environment. A heat engine, such as a thermoelectric generator, a Sterling Cycle Engine or Rankine Cycle Engine, is coupled in heat exchange relationship with an uninsulated portion of the inlet to a passive residual heat removal heat exchanger and/or passive residual heat removal heat exchanger channel head to generate the power required to operate essential equipment needed to maintain the nuclear power station in a safe condition during a loss of normal onsite and offsite power. | 01-30-2014 |
20140216021 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING POWER EMPLOYING VES AIR SUPPLY STORED ENERGY - The present invention relates to a generation system for converting compressed air in a passive main control room habitability system to energy when the main control room habitability system is activated during an accident scenario in a nuclear reactor power plant. The system includes a pressure regulator for reducing the pressure of the compressed air to produce reduced pressurized air, an eductor to deliver air to the control room, and piping to connect the tank to the pressure regulator and the eductor to allow the flow of compressed air therein. The generation system includes a mechanism positioned upstream of the eductor for receiving the reduced pressurized air from the pressure regulator and converting at least a portion of said reduced pressurized air into energy. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219411 | ALTERNATE PASSIVE SPENT FUEL POOL COOLING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - The present invention relates to passive cooling systems and methods for cooling a spent fuel pool in a nuclear power plant in the absence of onsite and offsite power, e.g., in a station blackout event. The systems include a gap formed along the periphery of the spent fuel pool, a heat sink, one or more thermal conductive members, a water supply system for delivering water to at least partially fill the gap and conduct heat generated from the spent fuel pool through the gap to at least one thermal conductive member for transporting heat to the heat sink, and a thermal switch mechanism for activating and deactivating the water supply system. | 08-07-2014 |
20140270042 | SOURCE OF ELECTRICITY DERIVED FROM A SPENT FUEL CASK - Apparatus for extracting useful electric or mechanical power in significant quantities from the decay heat that is produced within spent nuclear fuel casks. The power is used for either powering an active forced air heat removal system for the nuclear casks, thereby increasing the thermal capacity of the casks, or for emergency nuclear plant power in the event of a station blackout. Thermoelectric generators or other heat engines are employed using the thermal gradient that exists between the spent nuclear fuel and the environment surrounding the cask's components housing the nuclear fuel to produce the power. | 09-18-2014 |