Passive Two-Phase Microreactor Transportation Cooling System

Statement of the Problem Being Addressed: Addressing the urgent need for low-carbon energy solutions to combat climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advocates for an increase in renewable and innovative energy technologies. Microreactors emerge as a promising solution, offering flexibility and reliability in electricity and heat generation for areas unsuitable for large infrastructure. However, integrating microreactors into the energy mix poses significant challenges. These include overcoming financial barriers, navigating complex regulatory landscapes, and gaining public acceptance. Additionally, the transportation of microreactors, particularly those containing irradiated fuel, presents a complex set of challenges that must be meticulously managed to meet safety and environmental standards. Ensuring the safe transport of these units requires addressing thermal management issues due to the decay heat from irradiated fuel, alongside structural, containment, shielding, and criticality considerations to comply with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. The development of advanced cooling technologies, such as passive two-phase thermal management systems, is crucial for mitigating these challenges. Successfully overcoming these obstacles is essential for the widespread adoption of microreactors, contributing significantly to the global transition towards sustainable, low-carbon energy systems. Statement of how this problem is being addressed: Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT), proposes a thermal management system that utilizes passive two-phase heat pipe technology. The proposed system can be retrofitted on a standard shipping container where it will be able to extract, transfer, and reject the decay heat generated by the microreactor with minimal moving parts and energy input. The proposed thermal management system is modular, cost effective and easy to fabricate. What will be done in Phase I? ACT will evaluate pathways and design requirements to get the transportation package certified as Type B package. ACT will develop a bench-scale two phase cooling system to demonstrate the heat transport and rejection capability of the system. A full-scale model will be designed through an optimization study using Computational Fluid Dynamics. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: Microreactors present a viable option for delivering dependable, low-carbon energy across various environments, particularly where infrastructure is scarce or conventional energy sources fall short. Their compact size and modular design facilitate easy deployment to remote or infrastructure-limited locations. The ability to transport these microreactors enhances their utility, allowing for centralized manufacturing which promotes quality consistency and cost-efficiency. This transportability also cuts down on-site construction demands, streamlining the installation process. The proposed thermal management system will enable safe, reliable transportation of microreactor through efficient decay heat management. After the development of the bench-scale prototype in Phase I, the system will be further developed as a full-scale unit in Phase II. In addition, the Phase II program will also focus on the shielding aspect of the transportation package. ACT plans to sell the transportation package to microreactor manufacturers.